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My eleven year old daughter and I spent our first day in the shop this spring learning a new subject. Turning pens. We were down at the Woodcraft store last fall one weekend when they were turning pens for the troops overseas and they let her do one. She's been asking to do more all winter but it's been too cold. It finally got into the 50's today with lots of sunshine so we gave it a shot. Hers is the black walnut on the bottom, mines the purple heart on top. It was a fun project to do with her, simple, quick and boy is she proud of it. Me too:D

moggymatt wrote:My eleven year old daughter and I spent our first day in the shop this spring learning a new subject. Turning pens. We were down at the Woodcraft store last fall one weekend when they were turning pens for the troops overseas and they let her do one. She's been asking to do more all winter but it's been too cold. It finally got into the 50's today with lots of sunshine so we gave it a shot. Hers is the black walnut on the bottom, mines the purple heart on top. It was a fun project to do with her, simple, quick and boy is she proud of it. Me too:D

Very nice Paul, there is nothing more enjoyable then turning with my kids and grand children. Jim

Very nice! I just received a couple of new kits and some blanks from CraftSuppliesUSa this week, but haven't had a chance to use them yet. Still refurbing the 500 I recently picked up. Have fun making lots of pens, and more importantly, lasting memories!!

Bob

Paul: Great job on the pens but better than that is the quality time you and your daughter were able to spend together away from TV, computer screens and game machines. She won't ever forget the opportunities of spending time with her daddy. It's the stuff great families are made of.

Thanks for all the kind words. My daughter has been an occasional companion in the workshop for a while, but the pens really captured her attention, start to finish. Usually, we'll get 1/4 the way through a project and off she'll go, playing with friends or sisters. This time, even though the sun was out, the bike was just outside the shop door and dad was making her wear a big old face shield, she stuck it out. Even watched me when it was my turn. We only did a couple, buts she says she can't wait to do more.

If anyone wants to start his or her kids in the woodshop, I highly recommend turning pens.

Welcome to the addiction that is turning wood. Pens are a great introduction to turning, and are very addictive in their own right. I think it's the quick turn around time from start to finish.

The good thing is with the SS, some extra tooling, and some creativity you have a more than capable lathe.

Terry

nice job.

I know our local woodturner's club with the assist of Woodcraft turned over 2,000 pens for the troops last year.