Hope he doesn't mind me posting this

Re: Hope he doesn't mind me posting this

old griz

>Thanks Mike... glad you like them..

One of my wife's "city friends" came by the other day and asked me how I could possible justify killing a snake to make those pens... LOL...

Now I originally come from NYC and I would not have thought they were made from snakes.. LOL..

Re: Hope he doesn't mind me posting this

Lund_Dude

>Cool beans Tom! How long do you dry the cobs before you can turn them? I saw an article somewhere, might have been yours, about making these. That article mentioned using cobs that had dried for many years under an old coop.

Those Are Neat!

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>I really want to try one of these some time....they are a kick!

Jen : )

Re: Hope he doesn't mind me posting this

Matt Robinette,Mt Juliet Tn

>WOW I really like them. I also like to know how to make the blanks. The would make great Christmas gifs for the farmer friends.

Thanks

Matt

link to 'how to make' *LINK*

-e-

>here's a link to how to make them ... it's the last articlee on ttthe listt.


how to make corn cob pens

Re: Hope he doesn't mind me posting this

old griz

>I am fortunate that a lot of the cobs I am using came out of my FIL's old chicken coop... they are over 30yrs old.. needless to say they are bone dry..

However, if you are using cobs that have been cut this year, I suggest that you put them in the oven at the lowest setting with the door slightly open to allow some of the heat and moisture to escape.. I usually leave them there for about 2-3 hours.. this will dry them real good...

The biggest problem with new cobs is that the pith is real soft.. and so it the fuzzy left when you take the kernels off.. the drier the cob the easier it will be to drill, turn and finish.. especially finish...

Turning cobs takes a fair amount of Medium and Thick CA to finish..

I am thinking of soaking some new dried cobs in Minwax Wood Hardener to see if this will stabilize them a little better, but have not had the time to do it yet.. will let you all know if it is a success..

One other thing... the older and drier the cobs the more amber to brown the pen will be.. newer cobs (especially feed corn) will be more reddish.. next year I might try some Indian corn to see it the multi colored corn makes a difference in the pen color...

Cobs are neat to play with.. but expect to do a lot of work in the finishing.. it usually takes me 2-3 times longer to finish than a wood pen.. but the cutting takes a lot less time..