Shopsmith Forums

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It seems to be a tradition on this site to post your first pen project. Not only are these pens my first pen project but my first Shopsmith woodworking project as well. I know those with keen eyes will see my goofs but I will improve with experience, I hope.

'Goofs' are what makes them unique and therefore special!


Nicely done!


BTW I did not see any 'unique' features!;)

I hope my first pens come out that nice! I will have to play with the lathe for a while before I can do that since I haven't turned a piece of wood in more than 20 years...

In my business we call them "features" not goofs. Looks good!

Nice first pens.

I recommend keeping your very first and using it as a benchmark for comparing future work.

Caution, pen turning can be addictive.

Nice pens. I too did not see any gross abnormalities. The nice thing about turning pens is that the only rule is to turn the blank down to the diameter of the bushings so the parts blend nicely. Between the bushings is called "artistic expression".
Bill V

Nice job, Fred. What wood and finish did you use? They look great from here.

making pens seems like an excellent "first Shopsmith project". Our recently aquired 1955 mark 5 came with the drill press but did not come with a tailstock, mandril, or toolrest for chisels. Does anyone have these items for sale? Can anyone reccomend additional attachments that we might need for "pen making" or lathe projects in general?

Thank you and successful projects to all!

After 5 different levels of sand paper and 5 levels of micro mesh cloth I finished with Shellawax Cream. That might have been over kill but it seems to work. The wood is black walnut and red oak.