Pen Turning Ideas

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:56 pm

I enjoy reading the comments and viewing beautiful pictures of pens members have turned. I am posting two pictures of six of my favorite pens and pencils. I am sharing these not to display beauty, actually all of these are used daily. Some are three or four years old a couple a year old. I am hoping to help some of our newer turners think about options in order to be more creative. The first picture illustrates two pens, note both are turned on the 7mm slimline kits from Penn State, neither have the center ring used. You see I love the natural appearance of wood. Metal rings don't do much for me. Further I like to play with shapes. The shorter pencil on the right is my shop pencil. It was turned on an 8mm Penn State Shop Pencil style. All of these are turned from varieties of Burled or Spalted Maple. Once I have turned my blanks down to a point where they are round and any extra wood has disappeared from the ends of the blanks (note I always mark the center point where the pens will join with a black marker inside the end of brass fitting so I can assemble and enjoy an even flow of grain pattern) I remove the center bushing and finish turning the two blanks against one another. I love the way both ends fit together. I also enjoy burning the black wire rings sometimes in the center or sometimes on the point end.

The second picture is of my wife's Maple pen on the left (note the rings both in the center and at the point) The center specimen is her pencil turned from Hawaiian Red Gum this is a Slimline pencil that had a soft spot in it and became an accidental work of art. The shorty on the right is my Burled Maple pocket pen which is also from Penn State and was called a Bullet Pen. I know these pens and pencils have all gained the patina of use, none are especially fancy. All of them are loved and admired by my wife and I. I hope I have given others an idea or two. Now I need to get busy I am in process of building washer and dryer stands, turning several bowls and two saw canes for Christmas gifts. I hope others will post their creative ideas. Fjimp

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 4:18 pm

Hi,

Thanks for sharing the ideas. I have yet to try one of these projects despite the fact I believe a have all but the pen kits for a project. If I keep seeing these maybe I actually get some on the list for this coming year.

I think I like the "more wood" versions without the ring, are there kits like this or is it simply not turning that area to the ring size and then leaving the ring off? I'm guess the ring does some hiding of joint so does that make it more difficult to do?

The dark bands are done with wire and are burned, right? I've done that on some handles I've made and it looks like what I've done.

I guess I need to start looking at some of the places for kits and then pick out something to try... I really don't need to get hooked on another aspect of woodworking but maybe a few dozen of these might be fun.

Ed

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:04 pm

Ed,

I tend to purchase my pen kits from Penn State Industries. I am fond of the slimline kits and most of my pens and pencils are made from those kits. One reason is the refill is the same as the old Cross Pen Refills. Easy to get nearly anywhere. I have made one small change to some of my blanks and the tubes that are glued inside. The slimline kits are "barely" long enough to use without the rings. I have purchased a supply of extra 7mm tubes and cut my own for the "clip end of the pen" (Not the writing point end) I make these tubes 3/16" longer and cut the wooden blanks 3/16" long to allow for the elimination of the ring. I have seldom had any issue and a couple of times that I did experience an issue with a kit that had not been lengthened I simply shortened the top (clip) end of the refill. All of my kits, drills tubes and bushings come from Penn State. I have been told I am nuts yet have experienced dimensions varying from one supplier to another. Blanks on the other hand I purchase on Ebay and from a few vendors I have discovered who supply some rather nice stuff. Last Christmas my daughter purchased nearly a gross of Hawaiian blanks directly from Hawaii. The whole family had fun with those. In fact the wifes pencil came from that batch. I may regret saying this as the world supply could dry up quickly. My favorites are some of the fancier Maple and Black Walnut varieties of blanks. My son brought me an entire cherry tree trunk for making pen blanks. A friend in Virginia cut down a Cherry tree and gave me a couple of logs. I have also been given apple, maple and walnut logs. Pen making is really fun and although I don't do it as often now I always seem to find an excuse to turn a few. Today I am turn some walnut bowls as Christmas gifts. That's is fun. The wood I am using was purchased in Virginia about four years ago and lost until last night. Today I cut it into three nice blanks 8" in diameter and over 3" thick. Back to the shop. Good luck turning. Jim

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:11 pm

reible wrote:Hi,

Thanks for sharing the ideas. I have yet to try one of these projects despite the fact I believe a have all but the pen kits for a project. If I keep seeing these maybe I actually get some on the list for this coming year.

I think I like the "more wood" versions without the ring, are there kits like this or is it simply not turning that area to the ring size and then leaving the ring off? I'm guess the ring does some hiding of joint so does that make it more difficult to do?

The dark bands are done with wire and are burned, right? I've done that on some handles I've made and it looks like what I've done.

I guess I need to start looking at some of the places for kits and then pick out something to try... I really don't need to get hooked on another aspect of woodworking but maybe a few dozen of these might be fun.

Ed

Ed in my prior answer I ignored part of your questions. Yes the ring burning is done with a wire as I am turning. I also tend to burn the rings again as I am finishing the pen. No they do not sell kits to be used with out rings. I find that by removing the bushings between the two blanks and turning/finishing them as one blank they come out equal diameters and finish well. I use seven different grits of abrasives all the way thru 3,600 grit. My brother recently turned his first pen and wasn't happy with the finish. When he saw a pepper grinder I had just finished he was blown away at the feel and appearance resulting from 3,600 grit. Jim

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:28 pm

"... purchase on Ebay and from a few vendors I have discovered who supply some rather nice stuff."

Would you mind sharing the source? Or if not PM me?

Ed

mustangpalmer1911 · Post by **mustangpalmer1911** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:29 pm

I love the ring elimination. Dont know why I didnt think of doing that. Almost every pen I make is a different shape just for the fun of it.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:55 pm

reible wrote:"... purchase on Ebay and from a few vendors I have discovered who supply some rather nice stuff."

Would you mind sharing the source? Or if not PM me?

Ed

I will PM you a few when I have time to look them up. Tonight I am determined to finish sanding a bowl. Jim

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:07 pm

By all means enjoy your bowl work, I'm not in any hurry as the shop is pretty much close until spring and I've already spent enough this month. If I don't here anything by March I'll remind you.

Ed