tnvol wrote:Nice work! I may try my hand at it soon. About how much do you need to invest to get started, with mandrel, finishes, etc. ?
You can get started fairly inexpensively. You have the lathe (Shopsmith)]Pen Mandrel for Shopsmith[/URL] which comes with the bushings for slimline pens and a 7mm drill bit, and you will need a
#2MT(Morris taper) 60 degree live center, or a
#2MT Mandrel Saver for the tail stock.
The cost to get started should be under $100.
This thread
Turned my first pen shows how I did mine.
You don't need a fancy (expensive) pen vise, clamp the blank to the miter gauge to to keep it square to the bit.
You don't need a fancy pen press for assemble, use the quill.
Learn how to sharpen the chisels and practice on some scrap wood 'till you gain some confidence.
CA glue (super glue) gives a hard, durable finish.
Some resources I found useful are;
Cap'n Eddie Castelin Lots of good videos on turning, to start I would suggest
#234 turning a sample pen ,
104 basic pen turning ,
glasspen ,
sharper skew .
This is another channel I like The Tiny Trailer Workshop
# 37 How I turn an Ebony pen
International Association of Penturners - an active forum and check out the Library for lots of articles on all aspects of pen turning.
Have fun.
Ron
