Schedule a Meeting · Talk to a real woodworker: +1 937-890-5197 · 8:00AM – 4:30PM ET

Turning Pens

nuhobby

navycop wroteI was just noticed they had "pen light" flashlights. Are the blanks the same as for regular pins? Just turned different?

I did a couple of Penn State mini flashlights (the key-ring type) which were neat. These were more along the lines of a bottle-stopper size blank.

beeg

affyx wroteCheck out the huge chisels being used in this video!

Turning-Pens-on-the-Lathe-From-Start-to-Finish

This site worked better for me, it was knot choppy.

http://www.woodworkingonline.com/category/podcast/page/2/

navycop

Is there a way to etch (spelling) pens for graduations and anniversaries? I think it would be nice to put "Class of 20__" or "Jack and Jill 25 yr anniversary" on the commemerative pen. It would make it more personal. I know there are Branding iron type things. Can u change the lettering or is it just ordered with one label? I was thinking along the lines of the stuff they use on plagues. They rub some ink on it then wipe it off. The ink gets down in the etching.

JPG

navycop wroteIs there a way to etch (spelling) pens for graduations and anniversaries? I think it would be nice to put "Class of 20__" or "Jack and Jill 25 yr anniversary" on the commemerative pen. It would make it more personal. I know there are Branding iron type things. Can u change the lettering or is it just ordered with one label? I was thinking along the lines of the stuff they use on plagues. They rub some ink on it then wipe it off. The ink gets down in the etching.

Spell it 'engraving'! Some gift stores have the ability to engrave pens. Perhaps one would be agreeable to do that for a reasonable cost.

paul269

The only way I found to engrave a pen was at the local trophy shop. I cant afford the engraving tool.

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcwVUf9pUGc

and

http://www.customengraving.com/

navycop

I was looking for something along the lines as the electric inital branding iron. Maybe swap out the heads with different logos. I might have to invent something like that and patent it.

robinson46176

beeg wroteThis site worked better for me, it was knot choppy.

My hatchet is kind of "choppy"... :D

fjimp

If you desire a really fine turning skew/gouge check out the Crown Skew/Gouge at woodcraft. While visiting their store in Richmond VA a couple of weeks ago a store clerk, who does a lot of turning and ahas offered good tips in the past, shared how great it is. Being the tool nut I am I had to have one. In a word WOW that is some tool. It makes short work of turning pens. In fact I have turned six in under two hours today. Check this link:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2003620/3536/CROWN-Skewchigouge.aspx

Now it's time to clean up the shop.

Jim

navycop

I read in a thread that regular chisel work for pen turning. I am mostly interested in pen turning right now. If I bought pen chisel, would they work if I decided to do bowls?

curiousgeorge

navycop wroteI read in a thread that regular chisel work for pen turning. I am mostly interested in pen turning right now. If I bought pen chisel, would they work if I decided to do bowls?

No. What you call "Pen chisels" are spindle turning gouges and do not work well for bowl turning. What you will need for bowls is called (of all things :rolleyes: ) a bowl gouge. You can use a bowl gouge for pen turning, however. You might want to get a good bowl gouge and be set for both instances.

fjimp

I suppose one could use pen chisels for bowl turning. Due to their small size it would take far longer and be rather tedious to use them for bowls. I also have trouble imagining turning the inside of a bowl with pen chisels. They are simply too short. jim

navycop

Okay, Let me beat this dead horse one more time then put it to rest.. My wife of 22yrs was asking what I wanted for an anniversay present.. I mentioned that I would like some pen kits and a mandrel. The question I have for you guys (and gals): I think the basic starter set with 5/8" mandrel from Pennstate Ind will tie me over? The only other thing I will have to get is a 60 degree live center.

curiousgeorge

navycop wroteOkay, Let me beat this dead horse one more time then put it to rest.. My wife of 22yrs was asking what I wanted for an anniversay present.. I mentioned that I would like some pen kits and a mandrel. The question I have for you guys (and gals): I think the basic starter set with 5/8" mandrel from Pennstate Ind will tie me over? The only other thing I will have to get is a 60 degree live center.

That should get you started just fine.

mikelst

navycop wroteOkay, Let me beat this dead horse one more time then put it to rest.. My wife of 22yrs was asking what I wanted for an anniversay present.. I mentioned that I would like some pen kits and a mandrel. The question I have for you guys (and gals): I think the basic starter set with 5/8" mandrel from Pennstate Ind will tie me over? The only other thing I will have to get is a 60 degree live center.

That is what I got and it works for me. Mine came with rosewood blanks for the 5 pen/pencil sets. You might want something else to work with too.

I have found that inexpensive cutting boards are about the right thickness for the slimline pens, I picked up bamboo and olive wood cutting boards and have been using them for pen blanks.

The kit also includes a drill bit for drilling out blanks.

Mike

paul269

I just came in from the garage after drilling some pen blanks. I like the idea of using an old cutting board for pen blanks. I might have to take a trip to the Goodwill to see what they have.

At $4.50 or so for a basic acrylic pen blank, is anyone on the forum mixing thier own resin and making thier own blanks? If anyone is could you list supplies and instructions.

tom_k/mo

Paul, find a local cabinet top shop and check with them. They usually throw away the holes they cut in a counter top for a sink or stove top. Do you have any idea how many pen blanks you can get out of one Corian piece like that? It turns great and polishes just like acrylics. Here's what a Corian pen looks like...

judaspre1982

==========================

rdewinter

navycop wroteOkay, Let me beat this dead horse one more time then put it to rest.. My wife of 22yrs was asking what I wanted for an anniversay present.. I mentioned that I would like some pen kits and a mandrel. The question I have for you guys (and gals): I think the basic starter set with 5/8" mandrel from Pennstate Ind will tie me over? The only other thing I will have to get is a 60 degree live center.

Navycop

Rockler has a real nice pen starter kit. That's how I got started. Be careful you can invest a lot of money in different styles of pens buying bushings, mandrels, spare tubes etc. Most importantly, invest in a good chisel sharpening system....IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO GOOD RESULTS. I use the SS sharpening guide with good success.

Bob

San Diego

navycop

Thanks rdewinter.

That's why I was going to get the starter kit from PS. It has the mandrel, bushings, chisels, blanks (pre drilled in fact) and everything else. I think I will be satisfied doing slimline for a while. I would also like to do the flashlight kits for guys at work.

paul269

tom_k/mo wrotePaul, find a local cabinet top shop and check with them. They usually throw away the holes they cut in a counter top for a sink or stove top. Do you have any idea how many pen blanks you can get out of one Corian piece like that? It turns great and polishes just like acrylics.

Thanks for the info Tom. What does a sink cut out go for in your area?

« Previous Page Next Page »