So, soon enough I will get my lathe, but in the meantime, Mrs. Fishrite was kind enough to give some pen blanks and innards to me. My question is that she said I need a pen mandrel? and some sort of wax tool? can you hook me up or tell me where to get it? Thanks
I’m just sayin’
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I never got into the pen turning thing, but I have seen the gizmo's and stuff in a catalogue, I think it was Rockler, but I'm not sure, I gloss over that, being as I have no interest..but here,,looky .
Pen Kits for Woodturners
www.WoodturnersCatalog.com Quality Pen Kits in Platinum, Gold & Titanium. Kits, Blanks & More!
Pen Turning Source
Pennstateind.com Pen Kits, Turning Projects, Blanks, Cases, Pen Tools, Supplies & More
Turn Pens for Troops
http://www.freedompens.org Create a pen for a soldier today. Over 50,000 pens sent so far!
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Pen Turning
www.woodzone.com/articles/pen.htm - 24k - Cached - Similar pages
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www.woodturnerruss.com/Pen10.html - 23k - Cached - Similar pages
TURNING WOOD, EXOTIC WOOD, PEN BLANKS - West Penn Hardwoods
http://www.westpennhardwoods.com/ - 19k - Cached - Similar pages
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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I think it was probably Shep that you wanted to direct this to.
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Yes hun, you need to direct this to Shep.
Not sure if I will ever get it right, but I will continue to roll that marble around my pea-brain until I figure it out. ~ me
What, ya forget who sent ya that ornament last year already? LOL
Anyway, I think I'm one of the few spindle turners who hasn't turned a pen. I started, but got bored with all the assembly work needed before you get around to turning. But I do know a lot of guys who have.
3 good catalogs- 1) Penn State Industries http://www.Pennstateind.com - all the fixings you'll need, and at good prices, especially for starting out.
2) Craft Supplies http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com - the grand daddy of woodturning suppliers in the US.
3) Packard Woodworks http://www.packardwoodworks.com - a competitor of Craft Supplies, with a little bit different product line.
Oops, I'm late for an appointment. I'll post more later.
no, i did not forget you turned that ornament don't worry :) I just get names mixed up sometimes. Yeah, I'll check out some sites, thanks
I'm just sayin'
OK, I'm back.
For pen/pencil turning, you'll need, besides the lathe and tools, the pen blanks, which you have, a pen mandrell to turn the blanks on, the proper size bushings for the type of pen you're turning, as well as the proper size drill bit for the pen kit.
Lots of times you'll get the bushings and drill if you order enough pen kits, but not all bushings will fit all mandrells. Each manufacturer's mandrell usually only takes their own bushings, so for the sake of convenience, pick one and stay with it.
The wax is probably the HUT pen finish. Its a buffing wax you apply while the wood is spinning, and then just hold a cloth to remove the excess. Its a decent finish, but doens't hold up to heavy use. The wax will wear. There are many finished for pens- lacquer is good, I know some guys who use the thin CA glue for a finish, shellac works great.
If there's a Woodcraft store near you, they'll have pen turning classes on a regular basis. It's worth taking a class to get the basic techniques down, and cut waay down on the learning curve. Also, there might be a local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners near you. Go to their website- http://www.woodturners.org. , and click on the local chapters link. If there is a chapter near you, I'd strongly suggest getting in touch with them. Most woodturners are more than happy to help someone learn. Plus most of us have a lot of turning tools and gadgets that we will let others play with. <G>
The pen blanks that I am sending to Andy are already drilled, and glued-up. Blanks or innards included.
He just needs a mandel. Well, and a mini lathe.
I turned mine with Bernie, in his shop, so he supplied all the stuff.
Not sure if I will ever get it right, but I will continue to roll that marble around my pea-brain until I figure it out. ~ me
Nice. 3/4s of the work of making a pen is already done for Andy.
I tried making pens a couple of years ago. I got the blanks all drilled, the inserts glued in, and the ends of the blanks trued up, then got bored with the process.
One of these days I'll have to actually finish a project.
Well, I think some of my blanks could have been prettier. Bought them in a package from Woodcraft.
Don't get me wrong, I made some pretty pens and enjoyed doing it (with Bernie, who I used to work at the tool store with...he's got the most compact shop that I have ever seen in his garage!)
The ends of these do need to be trued, but they are all glued up.
Not sure if I will ever get it right, but I will continue to roll that marble around my pea-brain until I figure it out. ~ me
There may be a woodcraft store near you or here's the online site.
http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=146139&FamilyID=5386
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Here in Tulsa they're the place for pen parts
Edited 11/26/2008 9:02 am by jagwah
are you turning Pens or spheres??
spherical pens would be hard to grasp...
careful with the waxing yer tool stuff or you be banned sure as snot...
On a more contributary note..
Penn State industries IIRC has Pen turning stuff.
HERE: http://www.pennstateind.com/
ya
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Lee Valley Tools has all kinds of pen turning tools and wood blanks
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&cat=1,250&p=43243&ap=1