Pen Turning Chisels

[bigted]

I see that Shopsmith has their Pen turning chisels on sale. I plan on turning some pens in the near future. Are these chisels necessary, or just helpful? Thanks,
Bigted:)

[wlhayesmfs]

I got that set the last time they went on sale, To answer your question from me I still use my large set since I am use to them. The smaller set works fine as you get better and want to do more detail. But I don't think it comes as a have to to turn pens. Here are a few I turned with the standard SS set.
But just an opinion.

[ted2]

I don't use anything but a roughing gouge and a skew. Both with 10" handles?Works well for me.

[fjimp]

I have turned at least two hundred pens. It seems like of the four sets of chisels I own, I like the original standard set of five I purchased from Shopsmith. I have a few specialty chisels that are fun when I try to become real fancy. Stick with the basic until you really become hooked on pen turning. Unless of course those dollars are burning a hole in your britches and your leg is becoming scorched. Then by all means go for it. Sorry no pictures everything is packed and the pile of boxes is intimidating me. That's a fib, The box piles are growing by the day and I can't find anything. The underlying truth is I would rather make sawdust than take pictures. Jim:rolleyes:

[rkh2]

Like Bill and Ted2, I also use my regular size gouge that came with my Shopsmith to round the stock if necessary and then I use a oval skew from Sorby for the remainder of the turning. I personally do not care for the pen chisels, of which I have a set from Pen State Industries. If you wanted some fine detail, then maybe they would be ok however I think its a matter of choice and what you are used to. I guess that if you want to try to smaller pen chisels and they are on sale, then now would be a time to get them.

[ryanbp01]

I have 2 pen turning sets from Shopsmith and love using them! I have feel I have better control. However, I also like the set that my local Woodcraft store sells.
BPR

[iclark]

my niece wanted to make a pen last week and I still don't have my sharpeners set up. she did the entire pen with an Easy Wood Tools Ci1 Rougher
http://easywoodtools.com/ci1.php

that stock R4 carbide cutter worked really nicely and it did a really nice job going from the square blank to the round. she was then able to put in the gentle curves that she wanted in the pen. I think that the larger size actually was easier for her to get the lines that she wanted.

if you want to do tight beads or thin grooves (say you want to do some pyrography), then small tools are great. otherwise, 3/8" and up seems to be good sizes.

I should probably add that she and I both practiced on some green wood before she did the pen. the Ci1 was very forgiving and easy to use for both of us.

we also tried a Hunter #5.
http://www.hunterwoodturningtool.com/products/no5/
that has a tapered round shaft with a carbide cup chisel at the end. the Hunter was a very aggressive cutter. it did a very nice cut, but the slightest inattention and it almost seemed like it wanted to pull itself deeper into the wood.

the niece never touched the Hunter when she was working on the pen. I do not think that I will be using it on pens either, but I think that I am going to love it on larger spindles and on the inside of small bowls.

Ivan

[fiatben]

I've turned dozens of pens and used my standard chisels, mostly my Shopsmith branded ones. My other chisels are cheapies I don't even know where they come from, but I use them as well. It probably is more important to be comfortable with the tool you're using than anything, but the only way to get comfortable with a new tool, i.e. pen chisels, is to use it for awhile. I'd like to try a set myself.

[bigted]

Thanks for all your input - sorry Shopsmith - guess I'll save my pennies for the new power head!
Bigted

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