Hello everyone!

[msimcox]

Been lurking for a while wanting to make a pen. I finally joined up the other day and turned my first "pen" today...

I just grabbed a piece of 3/4 scrap pine, cut it to length, threw it in the drill press with a 1/4 bit, chucked it on the mandrel and went to town...

I discovered that the cheap HSS tool set from Rockler leaves much to be desired. My parting tool dulled before I even got it rounded and my Gouge didn't fare much better. The skew worked nicely...

Now I just have to make a real pen.

 

[Edward Cypher]

Welcome and enjoy the insanity. Just a question but did you sharpen the tools before you used them?? They usually do not come very well sharpened, I'm sure other more experience turners will tell you the same thing. Always sharpen a new tool before touching it to wood. Carbide is probably the exception to this.

 

[msimcox]

I did not sharpen them, I really don't have a way to. I have a ryobi 8" grinder in the garage, but the wheels on it are pretty rough and I would assume wouldn't give a good sharpen. I use it for garden tools.

Anyone know if its possible to get a good sharpen from it? I cant afford to get something like a tormek, or worksharp, etc... although I would LOVE to have one.

 

[johncrane]

Welcome to IAP Marc!

 

[rherrell]

Welcome!

 

[SDB777]

Welcome aboard!!!!



Scott B

 

[Glen Schumann]

Welcome from Winona and on the road.

 

[Jim15]

Welcome Marc.

 

[Longfellow]

Welcome

Welcome from Sunny St. Cloud, Fla. Home of beautiful Florida wood.

 

[wnybear]

Welcome Marc. If your refering to the ryobi bench grinder you can always get a replacement wheel if it doesn't work out. Here is a link to someone with a good sled system for sharpening. Basic Pen Turning-Lathe Tool Sharpening - YouTube

 

[carpblaster]

Welcome marc,u can get a cheap 1' tabletop bench sander and sharpen most, i used mine more than the tormec

 

[keithlong]

Welcome from alabama

 

[rholiday]

Welcome from South Carolina.

 

[lyonsacc]

Hi Marc,

I had a similar experience with the Rockler set. Eventually learned to sharpen them.

Welcome!

Dave

 

[Glenn McCullough]

welcome from the mitten

 

[Ligget]

Welcome!

 

[Johnny westbrook]

Welcome from Mississippi.

 

[jeff_in_AZ]

Welcome from Arizona.

 

[msimcox]

Welcome Marc. If your refering to the ryobi bench grinder you can always get a replacement wheel if it doesn't work out. Here is a link to someone with a good sled system for sharpening. Basic Pen Turning-Lathe Tool Sharpening - YouTube

Welcome marc,u can get a cheap 1' tabletop bench sander and sharpen most, i used mine more than the tormec

Thanks for the suggestions, I just remembered I have an old craftsman(I believe) 1x30 sander... now to find some higher grit sanding belts for it.

I also have a Ridgid osculating spindle sander, but I think the highest grit I have for those is 150.

 

[Boz]

Welcome to the madness. You can get a dressing tool to smooth out your grinding wheel. I use a diamond sharpening stone bought it at an estate sale for a buck. Three swipes on each side before each blank keeps me going.