Pen Turners' Swap #2 - Anyone interested?

I never caught the pen bug. Yet.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I wish I could participate in it but maybe when I get a lathe.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I’m in.

-- Maplewood, MN

Hi Pen turners,

I would love to start Pen Turning, I have just bought my first lathe, a small second hand one, and have got to the point where I can turn a length of 4×4 into a cylinder.

If ANYONE would care to give me any advice I would be very grateful.

Do I need to buy a mandel before I start on a Pen blank?

So the Pen swap is not yet for me, but maybe one day :)

-- Keep your tools sharp, your mind sharper and the coffee hot

Do I need to buy a mandel before I start on a Pen blank?

You will need a mandrel and a set of bushings appropriate for the pen style. I’d suggest the slim line style pen to begin with, as the kits are the least expensive.

-- Maplewood, MN

Ditto on what Rikkor said…

You might also check a few sites that offer starter kits, here are a couple links:
Craft Supplies USA Starter Kit - $69.99
Penn State Ind. Starter Kit - $58.00 – They have a couple of others as well.

Good luck!

-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA

looking forward to the second round – I’ve turned into a mini pen factory since the box came and went. I’m gonna have to get more kits!

Yetti – be warned, pen turning is addictive. Gary is right, calling it a bug. Any project you can start and finish in one session (let alone several of them in an afternoon) is so satisfying.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Trust me, the pen tuning bug will eventually die, and you will get better :-)). Took me almost a thousand pens for it to die on me – haven’t turned on for at least 3 years, but I’m beginning to relapse – looking at all the pens posted lately.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Actually I have turned pens without using a mandrel. Used a piece of rolled steel secured in a jacobs chuck. Could have used a pin chuck as well. For bushings I used steel washer sized to the finished diameter that I needed. A little more work out front but cheaper than buying the mandrel. With a steel rod you can chuck up and turn multiple pens at one time. Also check out www.bereahardwoods.com for pen kits and supplies.

-- Genius is immediate, but talent takes time.

I’m very new to this medium and still tinkering with pens. Turned for quite a while and just recently started with pens.
If anyone is interested I have a couple of links that are filled with good information.
When you buy your kits- make sure they come with instructions. All sellers don’t include them. guess you’re just supposed to know? Some kits are more intense than others and some are a challenge.
It can get a little interesting – different size bushings/tubes etc.
Turning the pen is the easy part. Putting the parts together carries some unique issues that can be a pain to learn/overcome.
To me the secret to outstanding pens comes from the wood. The ‘pen’ is just something to make small phenominal pieces of wood truly functional and offers a medium for them. I assure you a pen given as a gift will be not only treasured but used and sometimes carry with it the love that you put into its creation. They carry a rewarding feeling that seldom comes from things I’ve made for people.
And addictive almost seems like a mild term. Maybe someone needs to charter pen turners anonymous with a nice 12 step program…~

-- CaptnA - "When someone hurts you, write it in the sand so the winds of forgiveness will scatter the memory... "

Maybe someone needs to charter pen turners anonymous with a nice 12 step program…~

That would imply that you wanted to quit… ;^)

-- Maplewood, MN

Maybe just a twelve step finishing schedule…

I’d be interested in getting in on the rounds here.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

LOL Doug. I’ve just stepped up from a 3 to 6 step finishing schedule (not counting sanding to 2000 and buffing)

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Seven: Humbly assayed pen’s gloss level under a raking light and became willing to sand to 4000 grit. And so it goes…

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

rikkor OH MY
you’re correct perhaps I just need steps 1-11 All things in moderation!!!
except spending money on wood and tools….
I’m intersested in this as well.
I guess I jumped too far off track with my last post. I know that I read topics that interest me even if and sometimes especially if I know little about the subject. Got so far off I forgot to say yes, figure me in.
And thank you!

-- CaptnA - "When someone hurts you, write it in the sand so the winds of forgiveness will scatter the memory... "

Got it Douglas, thanks.

CaptnA, You jumping on board the pen trade or joining ”The PTA”? (That’s Pen Turner’s Anonymous, of course!)

-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA

Tim – I’m game.

Maybe some of you that have turned pens for some time could put tips and hints iin the package. less than two dozen pens/pencils does not teach you all the ins and outs of pen making.

-- Joel Tille

Thanks Joel, I’ll send more info as we get closer to the next round.

-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA