Turning Pens

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:46 pm

I suppose one could use pen chisels for bowl turning. Due to their small size it would take far longer and be rather tedious to use them for bowls. I also have trouble imagining turning the inside of a bowl with pen chisels. They are simply too short. jim

navycop · Post by **navycop** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:39 pm

Okay, Let me beat this dead horse one more time then put it to rest.. My wife of 22yrs was asking what I wanted for an anniversay present.. I mentioned that I would like some pen kits and a mandrel. The question I have for you guys (and gals): I think the basic starter set with 5/8" mandrel from Pennstate Ind will tie me over? The only other thing I will have to get is a 60 degree live center.

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:38 pm

navycop wrote:Okay, Let me beat this dead horse one more time then put it to rest.. My wife of 22yrs was asking what I wanted for an anniversay present.. I mentioned that I would like some pen kits and a mandrel. The question I have for you guys (and gals): I think the basic starter set with 5/8" mandrel from Pennstate Ind will tie me over? The only other thing I will have to get is a 60 degree live center.

That should get you started just fine.

mikelst · Post by **mikelst** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:45 pm

navycop wrote:Okay, Let me beat this dead horse one more time then put it to rest.. My wife of 22yrs was asking what I wanted for an anniversay present.. I mentioned that I would like some pen kits and a mandrel. The question I have for you guys (and gals): I think the basic starter set with 5/8" mandrel from Pennstate Ind will tie me over? The only other thing I will have to get is a 60 degree live center.

That is what I got and it works for me. Mine came with rosewood blanks for the 5 pen/pencil sets. You might want something else to work with too.
I have found that inexpensive cutting boards are about the right thickness for the slimline pens, I picked up bamboo and olive wood cutting boards and have been using them for pen blanks.
The kit also includes a drill bit for drilling out blanks.
Mike

paul269 · Post by **paul269** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:10 pm

I just came in from the garage after drilling some pen blanks. I like the idea of using an old cutting board for pen blanks. I might have to take a trip to the Goodwill to see what they have.

At $4.50 or so for a basic acrylic pen blank, is anyone on the forum mixing thier own resin and making thier own blanks? If anyone is could you list supplies and instructions.

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 9:47 pm

Paul, find a local cabinet top shop and check with them. They usually throw away the holes they cut in a counter top for a sink or stove top. Do you have any idea how many pen blanks you can get out of one Corian piece like that? It turns great and polishes just like acrylics. Here's what a Corian pen looks like...

[ATTACH]5740[/ATTACH]

judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 10:14 pm

==========================

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 2:11 am

navycop wrote:Okay, Let me beat this dead horse one more time then put it to rest.. My wife of 22yrs was asking what I wanted for an anniversay present.. I mentioned that I would like some pen kits and a mandrel. The question I have for you guys (and gals): I think the basic starter set with 5/8" mandrel from Pennstate Ind will tie me over? The only other thing I will have to get is a 60 degree live center.

Navycop
Rockler has a real nice pen starter kit. That's how I got started. Be careful you can invest a lot of money in different styles of pens buying bushings, mandrels, spare tubes etc. Most importantly, invest in a good chisel sharpening system....IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO GOOD RESULTS. I use the SS sharpening guide with good success.
Bob
San Diego

navycop · Post by **navycop** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 9:26 am

Thanks rdewinter.
That's why I was going to get the starter kit from PS. It has the mandrel, bushings, chisels, blanks (pre drilled in fact) and everything else. I think I will be satisfied doing slimline for a while. I would also like to do the flashlight kits for guys at work.

paul269 · Post by **paul269** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:34 pm

[quote="tom_k/mo"]Paul, find a local cabinet top shop and check with them. They usually throw away the holes they cut in a counter top for a sink or stove top. Do you have any idea how many pen blanks you can get out of one Corian piece like that? It turns great and polishes just like acrylics.

Thanks for the info Tom. What does a sink cut out go for in your area?