Just got my pen kit

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 3:24 pm

I finally convinced my wife to get a pen kit with the condition that the first two pens go to her.

I can handle that!

I am on crutches still, looks like for an additional 6-8 weeks, already been 4 weeks. But I am hoping to get out there and make some sawdust anyway.

Maybe I can convince my wife to pick me up a stool at a garage sale so I can go out there and hang out in the garage again instead of being a bump on the couch!

Can't wait to get started!

I was able to get 12 slim line pens from Penn State and a little pen. so those will be my first projects. Once those are done, then who knows.

Nathan

joshh · Post by **joshh** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 6:27 pm

stickthrower wrote:Maybe I can convince my wife to pick me up a stool at a garage sale so I can go out there

I picked up a nice, high-back office chair that I use. Much better on my back and neck

Culprit · Post by **Culprit** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 10:57 pm

Pens are great fun - you'll enjoy it. I've done about 31-35 so far. My favorite part of it is making something useful out of wood that means something to someone, such as wood from my wife's old family barn, or wood from a tree that we had to cut down at church that our pastor parked under for 30 years, etc. Those types of things make some of the best gifts in my book.

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 11:14 pm

You are in trouble now, because pen making is addictive.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 1:32 pm

I love making pens and am going to once again have an opportunity to teach a couple of young people to turn a few in two weeks I can't wait.

About stools for shop. I have five of them. Three swivel, one is a tractor seat on wheels (for servicing tools close to ground) all others are of differing heights. With my knees there are days when switching stools is the only way I can use my shop. Don't rush the healing process the cost of doing so cannot be recovered. Jim

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 7:05 am

Josh, I hadn't thought about an office chair.

Culprit, I have a dining room table taken apart, and at least one board of that is going to be going to pens. It was my grandparents table. It got damaged beyond repair when it was brought to me. So I have all the wood from that sitting in my office, waiting to figure out what to do with it.

Jim, thanks for the advice! I will have to do some looking. I am using the SS currently as a lathe as the primary function. So that is the height I have been going off of for a stool.

I found out I had a stress fracture after walking around for a week on a sore knee. The recovery time is taking longer than I want/like, but I know I need to just deal with it and go slow. But it is tough now that we are finally getting some nice weather here in MN. I tried to go out yesterday to do some woodworking, but I can't move things around while on the crutches, so I don't think I will be able to do any yet.

Nathan

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:27 am

Bummer abut the knee. I hope it heals soon for you. DO WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS!!!

Many boards make some pretty boring pens due to the straight grain. Desirable traits for furniture and cabinets don't always make for pretty pens. Here are some hints and tips on cutting blanks from boards.

1. Unless you are looking to manufacture volume blanks, resist the urge to just rip the board down to uniform square stock. Look for the most interesting grain patterns on the board and cut those free first. Don't forget knots and other inclusions. There will be more waste this way, but if your goal is interesting grain patterns and pretty pens then really search the board and get those first.

2. For the remainder of the board or if there is a lack of patterning or interesting characteristics. Try cutting the board on the Bias at different angles. I have had very nice results with angles ranging from 20 to 60 degrees off of the existing grain pattern. When turned, this offers up some end grain and provides more character.

3. Cross cutting at 90 degrees is also a possibility, but this becomes all end grain turning and can be tricky and those blanks can be more fragile.

4. Safety, Safety, Safety the pieces start getting small and holding on to them with a table saw can get tricky. Consider using the band saw and/or sleds or jigs to help hold the material.

5. Retain even the smallest bits for segmenting and glue ups. It's also nice to have small stock available for center bands and finials. I have a box of small cutoffs I keep around for just such items.

Have fun and be creative. I can only think of one hard and fast rule when it comes to pen making, turning, and wood working in general.

BE SAFE!! The rest is all up to interpretation and your creativity.

frank81 · Post by **frank81** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:50 am

terrydowning wrote: Look for the most interesting grain patterns

Took this pic Sunday morning and have been waiting for the opportunity to use it. For the fans of interesting grain patterns.

[ATTACH]21261[/ATTACH]

aloibl · Post by **aloibl** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:05 pm

Pens are great fun. Turned about 22 pens since the first of the year. Starting to get the process down. Going to turn my first acrylic pen for my wife this weekend. Recently joined the local wood turning group here in Austin so I can get more exposure to the joys of turning. Going to turn my first bowl as soon as I pick up a bowl gouge from Woodcraft next month. Already have it mounted on my chuck just waiting for me to get the right tool. I like the look of segmented bowls and eventually want to try them.