Shopsmith Forums

Here are a few pictures of pens I made for my family this Christmas.

The first file is a Teacher's Pen I made for my Daughter (she's a teacher, of course)
The second is an American Style Click Pen (English Walnut) for my Son-in-law
The third is also an American Style Click Pen (English Walnut) for my Son and,
The fourth is a Slimline Style pen (purpleheart wood) for my Daughter-in-law.

Yes, this hobby has become very addictive!

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Really nice pens and wow what a nice case. I havn't tried pens yet but you really have made some nice ones.

I second Jim's comments, nice pens and nice case!

John

Thanks, these were my fifth through eighth pens I have made and the first American Click Pens. Am trying as many different styles as I can, to see which ones I prefer. So far, as long as I follow the instructions (hard to do, I know), I haven't run into any real problems.

Wish I could take credit for the trapezoid boxes but I can't. They came from Woodcraft (p/n 127951 @ $5.99 each).

Beautiful pens. I have been turning for aout 18 months. I truly enjoy creating pens. Everytime I spend a day doing so I learn I can create far more than I ever imagined. The real payoff was during Christmas when I taught my 7 year old granddaughter to turn pens. She truned two and loved every minute of it. Her Mother even turned one. I had a blast. I attached pictures of the pens they turned. Jim:D

Your 7 year old? I will have to show that to SWMBO as she has reservations about our 8 year old working in my shop. They look great.

Jim:

Pens to be proud of!

Also a 7 year old to be proud of!

John

Jim,
That is a wonderful job. And teaching as you learn wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Both my wife and I learned to use our hands at an early age. Jan's dad was a master cabinet maker in a small Colorado town. Jan helped in his workshop as a child and help him build houses when a little older.

My Dad had trouble figuring out which end of the hammer to use. However at an early age I frequented new home building sites and bugged the craftsmen my Did hired to work on his houses. Fortunately for me there were several men who cared about kids and their craft enough to teach me rather than running me off.

When kids are old enough to be curious it's time to teach them. Just use care to not push. My Granddaughter had me do the sawing of blanks and drilling steps. Those tools were a bit intimidating to her. She did a fair amount of the turning. Admittedly she occasionally lost interest or became nervous and ask me to do a little bit. She did all of the sanding and finishing herself. The Bamboo was her first pen and initially she planned to keep it for herself. The apple is her current favorite. I feel quilty as I love apple and that one in particular came out beautifully. Give the kids a chance. Jim

to jim parks, i had a similar experience over christmas as i visited my son near chicago. i had given him a shopsmith earlier in the year so i took along enough stuff to make a few pens and got him and my 16yr old grandson started on making pens. my grandson has made four already and my son one. it was so exciting to see the grandson interested in something other than video games. he is hooked and i think it is great, bob