My First Pen!

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quiney08

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Joined
Oct 21, 2024
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4
Location
Southern CA
Hi! I'm new here. I decided last fall I wanted to make pens since I like buying them so much and so I started doing research, spamming Rob from Rob's Pen Works with questions, and watching videos. I'm sure I'll make some kits at some point, but I really just wanted to jump into kitless/bespoke/custom right away. I got a small wood lathe for Christmas and started collecting all the other tools needed over the last few months (I had literally nothing other than screw drivers) and I finally got the last of the tools needed to give it a go on Friday. Yesterday, in between my toddler's requests I'd disappear into the garage and came out with this thing. It's not pretty and takes WAY too many turns to screw the cap on an off, but I did it with no experience, in a day and it works! I'm calling it a success. Now time for me to search around this forum to figure out what I am doing wrong with the shaping process so I can get better results next time.
 

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Kudos for jumping right in and making a custom pen (some here snicker at the terms 'bespoke' and 'kitless'). You've created a nice looking pen and with more experience you will learn the ins and outs of your tools, threading and different finishing techniques. Many have taken years of kit pen making before attempting customs (me included) and many have never tried. Well done and welcome to the IAP forum.
 
quiney08 said:
Hi! I'm new here. I decided last fall I wanted to make pens since I like buying them so much and so I started doing research, spamming Rob from Rob's Pen Works with questions, and watching videos. I'm sure I'll make some kits at some point, but I really just wanted to jump into kitless/bespoke/custom right away. I got a small wood lathe for Christmas and started collecting all the other tools needed over the last few months (I had literally nothing other than screw drivers) and I finally got the last of the tools needed to give it a go on Friday. Yesterday, in between my toddler's requests I'd disappear into the garage and came out with this thing. It's not pretty and takes WAY too many turns to screw the cap on an off, but I did it with no experience, in a day and it works! I'm calling it a success. Now time for me to search around this forum to figure out what I am doing wrong with the shaping process so I can get better results next time.
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Nice work!! What kind of taps and dies did you use?
 
Great start! Kudos to you on getting it done with a toddler around.
There is a great community on here. I made big progress when I was able to go to a show and chat with turners (Jim Hinze class). There are some really good people that turn here in SoCal
 
Hi Corinne, welcome from Utah.
I love that you jumped in head first and am glad that it was a such a success.
What is the material, Delrin or Ebonite?
 
walshjp17 said:
Kudos for jumping right in and making a custom pen (some here snicker at the terms 'bespoke' and 'kitless'). You've created a nice looking pen and with more experience you will learn the ins and outs of your tools, threading and different finishing techniques. Many have taken years of kit pen making before attempting customs (me included) and many have never tried. Well done and welcome to the IAP forum.
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thanks for the heads up on the terms. Wasn't really sure what to call it.
 
Welcome! You are a teacher already. I think many are afraid of kitless and look at the complexity instead of the simplicity. While this simplicity is fresh on your mind, it makes you the perfect teacher of those who are afraid to jump in. Please take some time to write out your process and even thoughts as to why you went this route.

Excellent! I/we look forward to your journey. You are of to a GREAT start. Thanks for posting'.
 
That's a great first pen! My first pen didn't look that good and it was even from a kit. I have not ventured into the custom kitless yet, so kudos to you for diving in so soon.
 
quiney08 said:
Hi! I'm new here. I decided last fall I wanted to make pens since I like buying them so much and so I started doing research, spamming Rob from Rob's Pen Works with questions, and watching videos. I'm sure I'll make some kits at some point, but I really just wanted to jump into kitless/bespoke/custom right away. I got a small wood lathe for Christmas and started collecting all the other tools needed over the last few months (I had literally nothing other than screw drivers) and I finally got the last of the tools needed to give it a go on Friday. Yesterday, in between my toddler's requests I'd disappear into the garage and came out with this thing. It's not pretty and takes WAY too many turns to screw the cap on an off, but I did it with no experience, in a day and it works! I'm calling it a success. Now time for me to search around this forum to figure out what I am doing wrong with the shaping process so I can get better results next time.
Click to expand...
Beautiful. And, I think, saleable!

Keep up the good work,

G
 
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