pens from new pen turner

mikelst · Post by **mikelst** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:57 pm

Hi all.

I got the pen turning starter kit from Penn State Ind. and today I tried my hand at this 'new' endeavor. I used some rosewood blanks that were included in the kit for my first and very expensive pens((the 'start up' cost of about $80.00). Then I turned a pen/pencil set from some bamboo I have.
[ATTACH]5495[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]5494[/ATTACH]
Finaly I decided to make a stand for the bamboo set just to see if I could.
[ATTACH]5496[/ATTACH]

I am sure I will improve with practice but I think this was a pretty good result for a first effort.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 5:06 pm

Congratulations Mike. Excellent job. I truly enjoy pen turning and all of the ideas that come to me for different looks. Keep up the good work. Jim:D

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 7:34 pm

It's always nice to see projects completed by our woodworkers!:D

VERY good looking pens/pencils, Mike! Nice work! Thanks for the photos!

And to see these are turned from Bamboo!

enyoc · Post by **enyoc** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:39 am

Nice pens!

Did you buy the starter kit from PSI including the lathe or did you use the SS? If you used your SS, how did you mount the pen mandrel? The mandrels I've seen require a #2MT on the drive end of the lathe; I'm still noodling over how to do a pen on the SS. Any pics of your setup would be great!

How was bamboo to turn? Splintery?

Thanks:
JC

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:52 am

JC, Pen State sells a pen mandrel made specifically for the ShopSmith. I use one and it works great.

mikelst · Post by **mikelst** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:56 am

I did get the starter kit from Penn State Industries. It is available with a ShopSmith arbor and that is the one I got. It attaches like any other arbor. I also purchased a 60degree live center to go with the setup.

This is the link to the "proper" kit.
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKSTART1C.html
The people at Penn State Industries were very helpful, and my order shipped quickly.

Hope this helps.

enyoc · Post by **enyoc** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:03 am

Mike & Tom: Thanks much!

rkh2 · Post by **rkh2** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:48 pm

JC

Here is a picture of the mandrel form Pen State mounted on my SS with the adapter. Works out fine. Excuse the little rust as I was doing some acrylic pens the day before and didn't wipe it down after I finished. I use the wet sanding pads when doing acrylic.

enyoc · Post by **enyoc** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:21 pm

rkh2 wrote:JC

Here is a picture of the mandrel form Pen State mounted on my SS with the adapter. Works out fine. Excuse the little rust as I was doing some acrylic pens the day before and didn't wipe it down after I finished. I use the wet sanding pads when doing acrylic.

Nice! Thanks!

Can you post pics some of your completed pens?

walt300 · Post by **walt300** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:25 pm

Mike,

You pens look great. I especially like the bamboo ones. For the Shopsmith you can use a mandrel that mounts directly into your drill chuck. This works very well. I have turned over 50 pens using this arrangement. {Penn Industries has a Drill chuck Mandrel. Woodcraft also has one available. I also have one from Woodturners. Your mandrel just needs to be compatible with the bushing kits as there a slight differences between companies.

Good luck with your future pens and try some of the acrilics when you have a chance.

Walter