New pen turner from Cali

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newcal

Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2014
Messages
4
Location
SF East Bay area
Hello everyone,
glad to have found this forum. I am an avid woodworker, wood turner and now a pen turner. My main tool is a Shopsmith 5 lathe. I have turned around 10 pens now. I love it and am making progress every day. I am amazed though at the need for all these different bushings/bits/kits you need. Maybe I am a victim of commercial websites...not sure, I am anxious to understand how people turn pens without spending a fortune. I an also interested in learning about folks' experience with different finishes on different wood and plastics.
NEWCAL:)
 
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Welcome from Texas.
I don't think it's possible to turn pens without spending a fortune.
I used to laugh about boats being a hole in the water that you throw money into - then I took up pen turning. I don't laugh at boat owners anymore.
Ed
 
Welcome from Colorado. If you turn between center (TBC) you will not need all the bushings but you will need a caliper. You will still have to buy bits and kits and the outlay for those alone gets real expensive. We call it the vortex and welcome to it.
 
Hi Alain, welcome to IAP from another Cali boy.....Redding....
For all you need to know about pen making, you're in the right place..... : )
 
Welcome….from another Bay Area turner. The best way to limit the financial damage is to limit how many styles you start with. Add the others as you get bored with the initial styles or just want to expand your offerings. That spreads the wallet-pain out over several years. :biggrin:
 
Welcome from Texas, Alain! As Lenny said - spend a lot of time in the library. There are no late fees and it doesn't cost, it saves. Caution - pretty much everything involved in pen making has been determined to cause cancer in California! :tongue: And the rest is addictive!

Harry
 
Thanks for everyone's warm welcome!
I am amazed by this wonderful forum.
Currently turning desert ironwood...i love that wood!
 
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