British made Pen Kits help required

[alpha1]

Hi
I purchased a stainless steel British made Shakespeare pen kit. The pen did not turn out well I used Yew. I ended up using three blanks to make one pen. The blanks blew up on turning I ended up with holes in the wood and splits. The pen looks awful. It was not a cheap kit so I would like to reclaim the bits and start again.
Unfortunately I damaged the cap the bit that holds the clip on. I would like to purchase a replacement stainless cap. I have tried the web site but it does not seem to be available any more. Is the guy still in business if so how do I contact him. I won't be using Yew blanks any more. In fact I have had lots of problems with wooden blanks and it's starting to be an expensive hobby I will probably concentrate on Acrylic etc in future they are so much easier to work with.

 

[Penpal]

Dave my experience with wood is the opposite of yours with Timber best for me. I imagine you will get the information you desire shortly. All the best Peter.

 

[GSteer]

BMPK is run by Dan Smith (of Taylors Mirfield) and Alex Bellringer (if I'm recalling correctly).

Both of them are around and available regularly on the various UK Facebook pen turning groups. Dan is in the middle of leaving his daytime job and turning Taylors Mirfield into a full time job, he did mention the other week that they are re-doing both websites, it could be that you've looked at it during this transition.

I'd contact Dan directly, although he is away at the moment until the 8th of August. Hit up the UK Pen Turners group if you're on Facebook and tag him with the query, UK Pen Turners public group | Facebook.

 

[yorkshireman]

Contact Alex or Dan they’ll sort you out. As far as problems with wood are concerned I’m with Peter on this one in that I find it much easier and less problems than acrylic. Are there any turners near you Dave that could give you a few pointers.

 

[AllenN]

I second the need to persevere with wood. I have made quite a few pens in Yew and they look great. Try using a bit of thin ca if you see a split and add more if you need to. Sharp tools are a must. If you think about it the wood is really moving quite slowly at pen diameter compared with say a bowl so if your tools are not sharp you are going to tear out the fibre rather than cut it.

 

[Lons]

Hi Dave
What the others said!

Yew is one of the nicest woods to turn as it cuts and finishes beautifully so it's down to your tools and techniques IMO so don't give up just yet. I see you are in Teeside and suggest it might be worth investing in one of Neil Lawsons workshops in York, I guarantee he'll sort it out for you and a really nice fella (if you ignore the long hair that is ). He's a longstanding member on here but I can pass on his details if you can't find them.

Or if you're ever in Northumberland north of Morpeth give me a shout and I can give you some tips, I have plenty of yew.

 

[alpha1]

Thanks

 

[Ray7756]

To stop your blanks blowing out when drilling, cut your blanks over length, to preserve grain allignment cut original blank from middle to allow enough to drill through the blank for the pen tube but without coming through with the drill, then just cut the blank to length of tube, always use very sharp tools, and for me I get onto sanding ASAP
Cheers
Ray

 

[Phil Dart]

Hi Dave
it might be worth investing in one of Neil Lawsons workshops in York

Bob is referring to [MENTION=365]Neil Lawton[/MENTION]

 

[silver]

[MENTION=1847]alpha1[/MENTION]

I would agree with the others replies.

Wood is definitely easier then some of the other materials such as acrylics, Corian and polymer resins..

It may be down to technique or simply the method you are working with.

What I would recommend is investing in a little time finding a wood turning club, likeminded friends or as said above invest in a dats training course..

The other thing I would also say is buy slimline pen kits, only turn and finish those. When you can do them and have NO failures then move on to a different kit.. if you wreck a slimline it's only a few pence to correct it with new tubes.

Once you can turn the slimline easily, with no faults, get a great finish then move up to the single tube kits like the Sierra..

The slimline is a more difficult kit than many, but once mastered then any kit can easily be turned and made.

 

[Lons]

Bob is referring to [MENTION=365]Neil Lawton[/MENTION]

He's going to beat me up over that "fat fingers" error.

 

[Phil Dart]

He's going to beat me up over that "fat fingers" error.

Fat fingers !!

 

[alpha1]

I have turned over 30 wooden pens since starting my new hobby and sold probably 20 of them the rest were for friends family etc. It's the blanks that have let me down either splitting or cracking or blowing up. I seem to have more success with acrylics etc. I had a couple of Junior gents kits but no brass tubes so I ordered some I did not realize they come in two sizes I turned two lovely ASH blanks to day only to find the kit does not fit these tubes. Time to take a break from pen turning me thinks it's starting to frustrate me.

 

[Phil Dart]

No, it's just part of the learning curve Dave - we've all been there I promise (and still go there from time to time I assure you)

Yes, Junior Gent tube sizes changed about two or three years ago, and it's as irritating for everyone else as it is for you. I don't know which size you bought, but I will pop a couple or sets of both sizes in the post to you on Monday. The ones you don't need you can just put in your spares box - they'll come in handy for something else one day

 

[Morse]

Are you sure your a Scotsman Phil?


Dave

 

[Neil Lawton]

He's going to beat me up over that "fat fingers" error.

Yup!

Fat fingers !!

Yup!

I have turned over 30 wooden pens since starting my new hobby and sold probably 20 of them the rest were for friends family etc. It's the blanks that have let me down either splitting or cracking or blowing up. I seem to have more success with acrylics etc. I had a couple of Junior gents kits but no brass tubes so I ordered some I did not realize they come in two sizes I turned two lovely ASH blanks to day only to find the kit does not fit these tubes. Time to take a break from pen turning me thinks it's starting to frustrate me.

I make my living teaching how to do this, but if you can get to York I might be able to spend a little time putting you right?

Are you sure your a Scotsman Phil?


Dave

Nothing could be further from the truth!

 

[Lons]

Yup!

Be careful Neil marra I might set the dog on you.

 

[alpha1]

No, it's just part of the learning curve Dave - we've all been there I promise (and still go there from time to time I assure you)

Yes, Junior Gent tube sizes changed about two or three years ago, and it's as irritating for everyone else as it is for you. I don't know which size you bought, but I will pop a couple or sets of both sizes in the post to you on Monday. The ones you don't need you can just put in your spares box - they'll come in handy for something else one day

That's a very generous offer I have a order waiting to be dispatched from your good self. Order number RC21944187

 

[alpha1]

Yup!


Yup!



I make my living teaching how to do this, but if you can get to York I might be able to spend a little time putting you right?

Nothing could be further from the truth!

York is one of my favourite places to visit. I go there a couple of times a year next time I am there I will look you up.

 

[alpha1]

To day I turned an acrylic pen and all went well. I recently bought two oak pen blanks I think they were about £3.50 each and two Ash blanks for about the same. This morning I bought a piece of Oak off cut and a piece of Ash. I will probably get at least twenty pens out of the two pieces of off cut. They cost me £8.00 for both pieces. I'm a happy bunny to day.