Shopsmith Forums

I just got my new pen mandrel from Penn State Industries, and now I need some ideas no pen kits.

I've never turned a pen, have plenty of wood, but no pen kits

Does anyone have any ideas on what would be a good starter kit for making some pens. From what I've seen at Rockler, and Craft Supplies it doesn't look like their too expensive, but I figure if anyone can steer me in the right direction this forum group can.

Let the ideas flow...

Well, you've discovered Penn State Industries; any idea why you didn't order some kit supplies too?

They have a wide selection. As your first try, I'd go ahead and get a pre drilled blank so you can see how it all comes together. If you buy one of their large kits you get a free DVD on how ot do it too...

tango wrote:I just got my new pen mandrel from Penn State Industries, and now I need some ideas no pen kits.

I've never turned a pen, have plenty of wood, but no pen kits

Does anyone have any ideas on what would be a good starter kit for making some pens. From what I've seen at Rockler, and Craft Supplies it doesn't look like their too expensive, but I figure if anyone can steer me in the right direction this forum group can.

Let the ideas flow...

This might interest you.http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... g_Pens.htm

A mentioned earlier, check out Penn State. You will not be disappointed in the quality.
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/sliml ... -kits.html
I have used this kit a number of times and all turned out well.
If you use the pre-drilled blanks you won't need drills. However I feel a barrel trimmer is almost a must have. They are really fun to make.
Regards,
Dwight

Tango,
I would suggest you start with the Slimline style kit simply because It is the easiest to turn and build. Here is just one of the videos available on Youtube on pen turning. To find others just do a search for Pen Turning and you will get a long list of them...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2blY9sb6 ... PL&index=3

Here is where you can find the Slimline kits...

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/sliml ... -kits.html

Here you can order a FREE DVD on how to turn pens from Penn State Industries. You can add this to your order for slimline kits...

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/DVD.html

Tango,

I see you are located in Belgium. Is that the country Belgium. Or is it Belgium in NY, IL, WV, WI or FL?

The reason I ask is where you are may determine the availability of pen kits.
Here in Southern California I am lucky in that there is a Rockler less than 2 miles away and a Woodcraft store only a bit further. I've used kits from both of them. My first pen kits were the 'starter set' from Penn State, which included pre-drilled and cut-to-length blanks, along with the tubes and components. Very easy to put together.

There are some differences in my experience between the pen kits from different manufacturers. I found the slimline pens from Woodcraft to have a different length tube than the ones from Rockler. So it might be wise to stick with one manufacturer to start. You will want to move to kits from different manufacturers as you really get into pen turning.

I dont mean to steal this thread but...

I have a brother in-law who is graduating from law school in about a month.

If I wanted to make him a pocket watch from Penn State Industries what do I need for the shopsmith to make their watch kit work?

It says I need a 1" chuck with 10 tpi (threads per inch I assume). Also what do I use for chisles and is this a to complex project for a beginner?

Advice needed,

Art

if you already have a 4 jaw scroll chuck for your shopsmith, you are set. just turn a 1-3/8" jamb chuck on a piece of scrap to hold the blank. if you don't have a scroll chuck already, penn state has a 1-3/8" expanding collet chuck for about $30.00 that works nicely. also klockkit.com has the kits at a better price. check out http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Watch1.html

Betty

Thanks for the reply. I am new to turining and dont even have a set of chisels.

So I can get a chuck for 30 bucks to work with the SS.

Is this a starters project or is it too complicated?

Betty-
Here is the link to Penn State. Type in item number:CXCA and it should come up.

Hud