Shopsmith Forums

I saw some puzzle piece pens on Woodcraft.com. You have to assemble the pieces first then turn it. I was wondering if they stay together good while on the lathe?

Hi,

I have not tried one yet. But I saw them featured in "Woodturning Design" magazine in a recent issue and they made it work quite well.

navycop wrote:I saw some puzzle piece pens on Woodcraft.com. You have to assemble the pieces first then turn it. I was wondering if they stay together good while on the lathe?

I really want to try that and the stars and stripes pen - here's a video on the S&S pen that is probably very similar to build and turn: http://www.pennstateind.com/store/pen-inlay-kits.html

If you get it, please post some pics/videos of the process.

Woodcraft is selling both the stars and stripes and the puzzle kits at about $40.00 per pen kit. At that price I have no desire to make either.

A quick check of Google turned up several places which are selling the completed Stars and Stripes pens for around $200 each. Some come with fancy laser-engraved boxes, some do not.

If you have the time to make them, the profit on a few of those pens would pay for a few more SS goodies!

Gary

I really want to try that and the stars and stripes pen


It looks very time consuming. First you have to install the stars, then the stripes. Atleast (I think) the hole is already drilled. I know if you are doing the same pens the mandrel and bushings are reuseable. If you don't glue the brass inserts in, can they be used in different pens? This is probally a no brainer question for you guys...

Watch the Penn State video at the bottom of the page and I think many of your questions will be answered:

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

Gary

the nice thing about the Woodcraft site is they post the instructions. Here are the instruction for the puzzle pen kits.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2021272/2021272.aspx

Hope this answered your question

Hi yall, new to this site and first time responding. Ive turned alot of different pens and finally got around to doing the stars and stripes for my Father inlaw. The pen was very simple to do and the stars go pretty quick,when it came time to turn the pen I just used sand paper and sanded to the bushings and finished with a ca finish, came out great.

woodshaper wrote:Hi yall, new to this site and first time responding. Ive turned alot of different pens and finally got around to doing the stars and stripes for my Father inlaw. The pen was very simple to do and the stars go pretty quick,when it came time to turn the pen I just used sand paper and sanded to the bushings and finished with a ca finish, came out great.

Cool! Please post some pics!