Little Boxes

November 3, 2012

Hi Scrawler

I am a big Parker fan Duofolds and Victorys are my main thing

Look what arrived yesterday £14.99 from a certain well known auction site could not believe my luck.

the cap ring is missing and it needs a sac but i think it is great

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/8151361786_d8b08c802b_z.jpg

IMG_2655 by my0771, on Flickr

Regards

michael

November 3, 2012

Hi Scrawler
I am a big Parker fan Duofolds and Victorys are my main thing
Look what arrived yesterday £14.99 from a certain well known auction site could not believe my luck.
the cap ring is missing and it needs a sac but i think it is great

<snip>

I guessed you liked Duofolds. I set out to like them myself, because I remember my teachers favoured them, but somehow, every time any came up, I was always out bid. I managed to buy an English Slimfold once, but have had to settle for Canadian made Parkers, like Vacs, Duovacs and a Moderne. That Victory mas many similarities to the earlier Moderne. That is a very good deal.

November 3, 2012

I have the opposite problem Ilike the vacs but I always seem to bid on the ones that go for silly money and forget to bid on the ones that sell in my budget.

The victory pictured is a mk one I was watching it but it ended with no bids so I sent the seller a message and it was mine.

Michael

November 3, 2012

What sort of nibs have you got in your Parkers, Michael?

November 4, 2012

Hi Fuchsiaprincess

I must confess I am not an expert in nibs,

Well I can make one work and straighten one that is bent.

After my accident I had to learn to write again as my right hand is not as flexible as it was which is what brought me to the world of fountain pens.

so the honest answer is I dont know what exactly I have other than I have some that are very fine and one in particular that is very broad

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8153312092_6fc03b2b8e_z.jpg

P1000125 by my0771, on Flickr

This is the thinest that I have

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/8153326292_484421f3bc_z.jpg

IMG_1252 by my0771, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8153299995_b4ea5b9932_z.jpg

IMG_1268 by my0771, on Flickr

It is also the strangest to write with as the nib is worn at a really strange angle,

It is on a mark one victory from the late forties.

When I first bought it I posted some pictures on the parker forum as I was thinking about reshaping the nib but someone mentioned how much writing had been done with that nib to wear it in that manner. In use it is held almost vertical.

I hope that answers your question I very nearly counted my pens as part of this answer but caught myself just in time I know know there are more than six in my restoration queue. But I have boxes to finish and dogs to walk and the odd bit of work as well.

Michael

November 5, 2012

Hi Michael,

You certainly have a nice variety of nibs in your Parkers Do you prefer fine nibs to broads? With regard to the third nib, I wonder whether it is a specialty nib, rather than having been shaped that way due to extensive use. I'm guessing that it could be a manifold nib, used for writing carbon copies. Is the nib firm? Perhaps it is shaped to write more vertically so that one can exert sufficient pressure without spreading the tines, and thus, run the risk of damaging the nib……

Warm regards,

FP

November 5, 2012

Hi Fuchsia Princess

I had wondered if that nib had a special purpose as it is thicker than others and is very firm I had not considered carbon paper use.

I had thought it may have been an accounting pen for writing in ledgers but there is no evidence on the pen.

Anyway would you like an update on the princess box

Of course you would I have to admit I have struggled with the french polish finish on this box.

I have mentioned this before the main thing with this type of polish is to stop the french polish leaving lines and marks on the surface.

A very light touch is needed for this as the cloth of the rubber sticks to the surface that has been polished as you add layers the shine builds up as the layers increase.

When you apply a new layer it softens the layers below and if you are not careful you can cause something like a wave in the layers.

Boiled linseed oil is added to the rubber to stop sticking and lubricate the polish if you use too much it causes the finish to go cloudy.

A few finishing touches tomorrow and it is all done I was not going to post any more pictures but one little one wont hurt

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8158490848_7618cc1c22_z.jpg

IMG_2691 by my0771, on Flickr

It is a solid oak box veneered in burr maple with a felt base, The inside is finished in red leather with two hidden magnets as a closing device.

I dont think it is too bad for a prototype.

I have learned a lot with this box

Thanks

Michael

November 7, 2012

It is absolutely lovely, Michael! I'm sorry that the French polish has given you so much hard work. I'm looking forward to the arrival of this very special box

November 7, 2012

Just seen this thread. Amazing. I love the woodwork shown

I have not made any pen boxes, but have made one writing slope. Only have a photo of the top when I finished it. Made from MDF with Brazilian Rosewood veneer and a bought-in marquetry panel for the centre.

http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx356/richardandtracy/penmaking/WritingBoxLid.jpg

Regards,

Richard.

November 7, 2012

I have one or two well ok six or seven writing slopes ( that is all I am admitting too) as seen in writing slope dilemma thread.

I like the centre piece you can get some amazing centre pieces now.

I have had a browse through your pen site very impressive I have wanted for many years to have a go at making a pen.

The lack of a lathe is however a limiting factor.

Regards

Michael

November 12, 2012

When it came to wrapping this box for shipping I was really unhappy with the finish so rather than going to the post office it was back to stage one.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8179133883_ffbc40303c_z.jpg

IMG_2800_1 by my0771, on Flickr

So the finish on the top has been stripped back to bare wood and start again

I have sanded through the sand paper from 120 grit to 2000 grit and finally used 0000 steel wool leaving a very smooth surface ready for french polish.

Thanks for looking

Michael

November 13, 2012

Sincere apologies for the hijack.

post war middle class conformity

Little boxes on the hillside,

Little boxes made of ticky tacky,

Little boxes on the hillside,

Little boxes all the same.

There's a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one,

And they're all made out of ticky tacky

And they all look just the same.

And the people in the houses

All went to the university,

Where they were put in boxes

And they came out all the same,

And there's doctors and lawyers,

And business executives,

And they're all made out of ticky tacky

And they all look just the same.

And they all play on the golf course

And drink their martinis dry,

And they all have pretty children

And the children go to school,

And the children go to summer camp

And then to the university,

Where they are put in boxes

And they come out all the same.

And the boys go into business

And marry and raise a family

In boxes made of ticky tacky

And they all look just the same.

There's a green one and a pink one

And a blue one and a yellow one,

And they're all made out of ticky tacky

And they all look just the same.

Edited November 13, 2012 by brewerjeff

November 13, 2012

I am pleased that the name of this thread is putting a smile on your face.

To be honest I am having a bit of a nightmare with this box at the moment the finish on the lid was not right.

This called for drastic measures Fuchsiaprincess might not want to look at the following image.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8181881241_b75cefe0c0_z.jpg

IMG_2808 by my0771, on Flickr

Last night I removed the problem veneer cleaned up the base wood and glued a new piece of veneer in place.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8490/8181918546_6e8ce2a3e7_z.jpg

IMG_2809 by my0771, on Flickr

New veneer in place needs trimming sanding and polishing fingers crossed.

Thanks

Michael

November 13, 2012

<snip>
Last night I removed the problem veneer cleaned up the base wood and glued a new piece of veneer in place.
<snip>

Oh Doom!. How on earth did you manage to remove a single ply of veneer?

November 13, 2012

Wonderful work as always, Michael. I have followed this thread and your writing slope thread with much interest. There are some amazingly talented people in this world, aren't there? Just wish I was one of them, but at least I can live vicariously watching what others are able to craft. Thank you for sharing the process with us.

(Not to be pedantic, but "Little Boxes" was actually written by Malvina Reynolds; Pete Seeger just made it famous. I tend to hear her voice rather than Pete's when I see something about this song. )

Holly

November 13, 2012

<snip>
Last night I removed the problem veneer cleaned up the base wood and glued a new piece of veneer in place.
<snip>
Oh Doom!. How on earth did you manage to remove a single ply of veneer?

Hi Scrawler

I used a chisel blade in a craft knife and took my time it measures 180mm x 130mm but it took 2 hours to remove it all.

I am a lot happier with it now.

Regards

Michael

November 13, 2012

Wonderful work as always, Michael. I have followed this thread and your writing slope thread with much interest. There are some amazingly talented people in this world, aren't there? Just wish I was one of them, but at least I can live vicariously watching what others are able to craft. Thank you for sharing the process with us.

(Not to be pedantic, but "Little Boxes" was actually written by Malvina Reynolds; Pete Seeger just made it famous. I tend to hear her voice rather than Pete's when I see something about this song. )

Holly

Hi Holly

thanks for your kind comments I am not so sure about the amazingly talanted bit.

There is going to be a picture fest comming soon I have a writing slope nearly finished and the princess box you have seen here and of course the cultlery box conversion for the same chap as the writing slope I dont want to spoil his surprise by showing pictures of his boxes here before he sees them himself.

Then I have a really special project that has just arrived. and the dark version of the princess box which will be veneered in beautiful rosewood.

So keep watching

Regards

Michael