Pen Turning

jbooher · Post by **jbooher** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:31 pm

It is possible to turn pens without a bushing. All you need to know is the finished diameter. Use calibers to measure. Will take a little longer but will work.

As far a using sand paper to make a pen it is possible. Start with 36 grit sand paper and work your way up to 400 grit.

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:50 pm

Bob
Nice looking pens. Thanks for sharing your newsletter.

RobertTaylor · Post by **RobertTaylor** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:45 pm

several times i have gotten home from woodcraft with a new kit thinking that i already had bushings for it only to find out i did not. woodcraft is 45 minutes away. i take a 3/4" hole saw and cut through some 1/2" corian scraps. the 1/4" pilot hole of the hole saw fits the mandrel very well. i use my digital caliper and measure the parts and turn my own bushings in just a few minutes using a parting tool. gets the job done.

navycop · Post by **navycop** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:02 am

I'm not sure if this goes here. I this on the Harbor Frieght website. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=3793
Is it a web only item or can I get it in store? I called my local HF. They didn't seem to know what I was talking about.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:13 am

navycop wrote:I'm not sure if this goes here. I this on the Harbor Frieght website. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=3793
Is it a web only item or can I get it in store? I called my local HF. They didn't seem to know what I was talking about.

Did you give them the item number?

etc92guy · Post by **etc92guy** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:26 am

The stores don't stock everything that the website has.

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:23 am

etc92guy wrote:The stores don't stock everything that the website has.

Consequently, I've purchased something at a HF store, had their part-no for the item yet couldn't find it on their web site...

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:34 pm

Anyone had any experience in turning cross-grain cut pen blanks? I have a real nice Spalted Hackberry cross-grain blank I just drilled and glued. I plan on turning it tomorrow, and haven't turned any cross-grain before. Anything I need to be cautious/aware of, other than sharp tools and slow cutting?

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:51 pm

tom_k/mo wrote:Anyone had any experience in turning cross-grain cut pen blanks? I have a real nice Spalted Hackberry cross-grain blank I just drilled and glued. I plan on turning it tomorrow, and haven't turned any cross-grain before. Anything I need to be cautious/aware of, other than sharp tools and slow cutting?

Tom,

Your thoughts are right on target. I would want my tools perfectly sharp. I would be certain to have plenty of light. I would prefer to work with this blank when I was fresh and not the least bit fatigued. Most importantly I would remove sharp corners prior tro mounting the blank on the lathe. This step can be accomplished by either a band saw or very carefully with a belt sander. Good luck I look forward to pictures of the finished project. fjimp

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:58 pm

Well Jim, it wasn't as bad turning as I thought. Finishing was another matter though

Wood seemed real "sappy" and the shavings even "caked" on the chisels some as I turned. Sanding it clogged the grit of brand new sandpaper, and I could even detect a slight smell like turpentine as I sanded. Finished out OK though. The blank was one of the "premium" blanks from PSI. Here's the finished product.

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Pen Turning

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