I just got my new pen mandrel from Penn State Industries, and now I need some ideas no pen kits.
I've never turned a pen, have plenty of wood, but no pen kits
Does anyone have any ideas on what would be a good starter kit for making some pens. From what I've seen at Rockler, and Craft Supplies it doesn't look like their too expensive, but I figure if anyone can steer me in the right direction this forum group can.
Well, you've discovered Penn State Industries; any idea why you didn't order some kit supplies too?
They have a wide selection. As your first try, I'd go ahead and get a pre drilled blank so you can see how it all comes together. If you buy one of their large kits you get a free DVD on how ot do it too...
tango wrote:I just got my new pen mandrel from Penn State Industries, and now I need some ideas no pen kits.
I've never turned a pen, have plenty of wood, but no pen kits
Does anyone have any ideas on what would be a good starter kit for making some pens. From what I've seen at Rockler, and Craft Supplies it doesn't look like their too expensive, but I figure if anyone can steer me in the right direction this forum group can.
Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
A mentioned earlier, check out Penn State. You will not be disappointed in the quality. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/sliml ... -kits.html
I have used this kit a number of times and all turned out well.
If you use the pre-drilled blanks you won't need drills. However I feel a barrel trimmer is almost a must have. They are really fun to make.
Regards,
Dwight
Tango,
I would suggest you start with the Slimline style kit simply because It is the easiest to turn and build. Here is just one of the videos available on Youtube on pen turning. To find others just do a search for Pen Turning and you will get a long list of them...
I see you are located in Belgium. Is that the country Belgium. Or is it Belgium in NY, IL, WV, WI or FL?
The reason I ask is where you are may determine the availability of pen kits.
Here in Southern California I am lucky in that there is a Rockler less than 2 miles away and a Woodcraft store only a bit further. I've used kits from both of them. My first pen kits were the 'starter set' from Penn State, which included pre-drilled and cut-to-length blanks, along with the tubes and components. Very easy to put together.
There are some differences in my experience between the pen kits from different manufacturers. I found the slimline pens from Woodcraft to have a different length tube than the ones from Rockler. So it might be wise to stick with one manufacturer to start. You will want to move to kits from different manufacturers as you really get into pen turning.
Hoagie - B.P.O.E. - NRA Benefactor
Mark V 520, Band Saw, Jointer, Planer, Belt Sander, Biscuit Joiner, RingMaster
Delta Dust Collector, Jet AFS
if you already have a 4 jaw scroll chuck for your shopsmith, you are set. just turn a 1-3/8" jamb chuck on a piece of scrap to hold the blank. if you don't have a scroll chuck already, penn state has a 1-3/8" expanding collet chuck for about $30.00 that works nicely. also klockkit.com has the kits at a better price. check out http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Watch1.html
Bob
1954 greenie, 1963 anniversary edition now a mini,
1984 500, 1985 510, 1987 510, pro-planer, bandsaw, dust collector
