New to the pen turning world

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
skamrath1

skamrath1

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
131
Location
Duncan, Oklahoma
Hello all my name is Scott from Duncan, OK. I have wanted to turn pens for a very long time and finally decided to do it. I think I am almost done getting mostly everything bought. Just need a pen vise and a press of some sort. I ordered a vise from steebar.com:mad::mad: I will never do that again. Does anyone have a good suggestion on a good place to get a good vise and maybe a press? Also a place for good blanks and kits? Thanks in advance for the replies. I am sure I will have a ton more question.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Hello Scott! Welcome from Va,Check out the classifieds you will find many sellers there.We sell the slimline kits but we don't advertise here.
Happy Turning!!
 
Welcome aboard!!
You can always use your tailstock for a press....or even your drillpress.
Pen vise, got one here and have never used it for other then a paperweight.
The blanks, hmmmm? I might know a guy/gal.....






Scott B
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I am excited to start this journey. I am brand new with the turning world. I have never used a lathe or anything with turning so please bare with me lol most of the turning lingo I am am still learning.
 
I would start with chrome kits, the 24 ct gold ones aren't that durable of a finish. Learn to use a skew. If you're going to turn delicate materiel a sharp skew will keep ypu from blowing them up. For wood learn to do a CA finish. Practice on a round piece of wood, read/ watch all you can on the subject then just try it and find what works for you. Start with just CA, do a coat walk away for 15 min then do the next. Do you need blanks? If so send me a PM with your address.
 
Welcome From Little Rock.

As for a pen press, her's what I use.

penpress1.jpg


I bought a flange and threaded pipe, and it just screws into my bench.
 
BSea said:
Welcome From Little Rock.

As for a pen press, her's what I use.

penpress1.jpg


I bought a flange and threaded pipe, and it just screws into my bench.
Click to expand...

This is a good idea. I have a couple old Irvin claps I was gonna try but I like this better. Thank you and keep the suggestions coming. I have learned alot from all of them and reading post on the forums. I can't wait to try and turn my first pen.
 
I have never seen a pipe clamp shown before!!!

Brilliant, Bob!!!!!!!!

Make your final version a little over 7" long (between clamp pads at full extension).

My arbor press is just a little "short" some times==this is a SUPER solution!!
 
Welcome, Visit the classifieds for vendor selections. Exotic blanks, Indy~Pen~Dance, Classic nibs. and many many Others,
 
ed4copies said:
I have never seen a pipe clamp shown before!!!

Brilliant, Bob!!!!!!!!

Make your final version a little over 7" long (between clamp pads at full extension).

My arbor press is just a little "short" some times==this is a SUPER solution!!
Click to expand...
Thanks Ed. But I can't take credit for this. I saw one that pssherman made for pressing bullet pens. His was specific for what he was making, and I just made a few changes to make it a full blown pen press. This version has an 18" pipe. But I should have bought a 24" so it would be closer to eye level when pressing parts. So 7" is not a problem. But I'm very happy with how it works, and I can also use it for some minor clamping.
 
Welcome Scott. Some of the best advice you have received so far is the one about turning some wood round and applying a finish, turn that off and do it again. When that piece of wood wears out, find another one and start over until you become confident in your processes. Oh, and when your turning tool catches and destroys that beautiful almost perfectly turned blank, do not give up. It has happened to all of us, except maybe Roy (Oklahoman). If you are interested in making some pens for our troops, Gary Mc has an add in the Classifieds offering free blanks if you will turn some pens for the troops.

Hang in there, have fun making shavings and above all else, BE CAREFUL!!!!!
Charles
 
Welcome from the DFW Metroplex. One of the great things you find here is that there are Turners of all skill levels who you can identify with, and there is a great willingness to share and help others develop their expertise.
 
Hi Scott & welcome, from another new guy here. Have you thought about drilling on your lathe rather than using a vice. I started to do that some time ago, & it's much more accurate.
David
 
Kretzky said:
Hi Scott & welcome, from another new guy here. Have you thought about drilling on your lathe rather than using a vice. I started to do that some time ago, & it's much more accurate.
David
Click to expand...

I have never used a lathe. I have a new one in my shop waiting to be used. But I will try anything to get me started. I just want to start making pens. :)
 
Welcome.
My advice is to just start making pens!
My first pen was made from a kit I bought at the local woodworking store and a piece of maple that someone gave me. It doesn't have a great finish and I have made many better pens since, but I still use that one every day.
 
I completely understand about Steebar...I ordered there start-up kit...1500.00 later I'm still missing stuff..I use penblanks.ca (william woodwrite) They have just about everything you need!
 
Welcome from sunny southern California.
You know, I was so scared to ruin any of the nice wood I had learning the scew, I went to home depot and got some 3/4" dowels and turned them between (forgot the word . . . ?points? help me someone.) I didn't come by it naturally. Ended up adjusting and changing tools using a 1/2" gouge mostly. But then I had a young man over teaching him . . . handed him a scew and sat him at the lathe . . . in 30 minutes he said, "Can I just make a pen from this or do I have to get another piece of wood? " Brilliant young man!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom