Anothre Newby pen question

[lightnin]

I'm not gonna make any pens soon but will keep it in mind when I have small pieces of good stuff.
What general dimensions should a pen blank be?
Any directions through grain a no no for turning something so small?
It won't take a very big piece of scrap for one and I don't want to throw away pieces big enough.

[2bits]

Generally 3/4" by 3/4" by 5" for most pen kits. There are some that are a bit larger and a bit smaller ( the mini purse pens or neck pens as an example of smaller) so that would mean there is no such thing as "scrap";) . I would guess (I am worse than a novice in this regard as I have yet to turn a pen but I have been collecting the needed supplies) that a cross grain (90degrees) would be questionable but any other cut would be worth attempting. The 90 degree may be usable with some wood if finished properly.
I have had some major delays in getting my woodworking up and running this year but (I hope) most of them are behind me. I have lots more work to get the "shop" area converted into a usable shop, but I anticipate a productive fall/winter. Our schedule is a bit off kilter from normal here in southern Arizona. I am so looking forward to turning my first pen and getting some of my looooong list of projects started:D

[greitz]

Commercial pen blanks are generally 3/4" x 3/4" x 5" long, which is long enough to make the 2-tube pen kits. The 1-tube kits often use a shorter blank. For some of the fatter pen kits, you may want to start with a 1" x 1" blank, in case you drill the hole somewhat off-center. Usually the grain runs generally along the length of the blank.

Most of the companies selling pen kits specify the blank size needed for the kit.

Gary

[pennview]

Penn State Industries, Woodcraft, and others have downloadable instructions for the pen kits they sell, so that's a good place to start for information about what's needed in the way of drill bits, bushings, and blank size requirements.