The Citizen, 2008-03-13, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008.
Creativity can sometimes come
out of retirement, and this is
definitely the case for Milt Dale of
Londesborough, who has had no
problem keeping busy since he took
the pension.
While he has been woodworking
for years, Dale started by making
bowls, but has recently expanded
and has started making custom pens.
Dale makes pens out of many
different types of wood, corncobs
and deer antlers and sells them all
for $20 each.
He says making pens keeps him
busy and that he likes doing it. While
he has only been making them since
November, he says there has been a
lot of interest throughout the county.
Many offers to retail his pens have
come his way, but Dale has refused
most of them, insisting that he isn’t
out to make money from the pens.
There have been offers from
several stores committed to stocking
local products from local
manufacturers and artists. He also
says selling at the annual Thresher
Reunion has been mentioned to him
more than once.
However, despite offers and
suggestions, Dale has decided to
keep it simple and to stay loyal to
Made In Huron in Clinton, where his
pens are already being sold.
Despite how polished and
professional his creations look, Dale
insists that it wasn’t a big deal for
him to pick up this trade. He said he
read about it in a book and he was
making pens soon after.
After already having a background
in making bowls on the lathe, pens
came naturally to him, but they are
much smaller and more delicate and
it is not an easy process.
First Dale has to obtain the raw
material for the column of the pen. Itcould be a deer antler, a corncob thathe has found in a field or differenttypes of wood that he can either findor order in.He then drills out the centre andwill carve down to the desired size of
the column of the pen. This is all
dependent on the material, as he says
the centre of a corncob will dictate
the size of pen it will make. If it has
a large core, it will make a fatter pen
and if it has a small centre, it will
make a thin pen.
After the columns have been
trimmed down, there is an intensive
gluing and sanding process that
achieves the smooth feel and glossy
look on all of his pens.
Dale then fits a metal cylinder
inside each hole he has drilled to
form the core of the pen. From here
it is just a matter of putting the
pieces together.
He uses a small press to fit the
metal pieces into the pen at just the
right depth, fits it for a centrepiece
and the pen is ready to go.
Dale says he finds enjoyment in
the happiness his creations can bring
to some people. He said his deer
antler pens with rifle pocket clips are
a big seller to men and that several
other types have become popular
with wedding parties.
He recently submitted a bowl anda matching pen to a draw to raisemoney for the local hospital and washappy to see his new hobby do thecommunity good.
A little muscle
Milt Dale of Londesborough, who has recently started
making custom pens for sale in Clinton, says he likes the
work and doesn’t do it for the money. After shaving a piece
of wood or corncob down and drilling out the middle, Dale
has to apply glue and sand the surface to achieve that
glossy look and smooth feel. Once the pieces are ready, he
can install the tip of the pen and the clip using a press, with
all the tough work coming on the lathe and the rest just
being assembly and taking mere minutes. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Man crafts custom pens from corncobs
ANNOUNCEMENT
Doctors Dean Nisbett, Paul
Padfield and David Weaver are
pleased to announce that Dr.
Simon Taylor has joined Huron
Optometric Centres on a full-time
basis. Dr. Taylor joined our
practice on a part-time basis in
2001. With the recent move of
our Clinton office to the new,
larger location on Albert Street,
Dr. Taylor is now available for
appointments in either location
five days a week. Call to arrange
an appointment today. New
patients welcome!
68 WEST STREET
GODERICH
519-524-7251
90 ALBERT STREET
CLINTON
519-482-3677
I want to start a
business - what do
I need to know?
Get fast and easy access
to Ontario Government
information at
www.ServiceOntario.ca
Available at all branches of
Huron County Library.
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Healthy Weight, HealthyYou!
www.heartandstroke.ca
Even a modest weight loss of 5
to 10 pounds can make a huge
difference to your health and
well-being! The Heart and Stroke
Foundation has all the tools you
need to achieve a healthy
weight.
Visit heartandstroke.ca
and start now!
A new hobby
Milt Dale of Londesborough has been woodworking for years, but only recently has he started
with his new endeavour, using real wood, corncob or deer antlers to make custom pens which
he sells at Made In Huron in Clinton. He has only been making them since the fall, but the pens
are already in high demand, he says, as word of mouth continues to spread. (Shawn Loughlin photo)