Welcome to the forum. There are sellers that have pen turning packages and so forth that you can buy if you want to help them line their pockets buying all the goodies, gadgets and upgrades. If you spend the time researching you will learn there are many ways to accomplish the same thing. For example the package you linked shows a pen mandrel that you would normally put the pen barrels on to turn. The thing of it is you can do what is called Turning Between Centres, often abbreviated to TBC. Instead of the mandrel you put the pen barrel between a live centre (a 60º cone that spins on a bearing) in the tailstock and a dead centre (a solid cone that is driven) in the headstock. A little cheaper and more accurate method. You turn to size measuring as you go. There are a number of variations on the theme. So I would suggest asking questions as you read so you can form a clearer picture in your mind of how to go through each step of the process. It will save you some money along the way unless you are blessed with deep pockets and are happy emptying them. Each of us will have preferred methods of doing things that we are happy to share. You have the pleasure of wading through them.
It really isn't complicated or insurmountable. We have all been through it in one form or another.
Cost of pen kits can be an indicator of quality but there are gimmicky pens, ones that have themes etc that don't hold up. You will find that vendors are a better way to go as the good ones will stand behind the pens they sell and they don't offer bad ones. An example is the common Slimline pen. They are generally on the low end of the cost spectrum but there are ones made in Taiwan that are better quality than some that come from China. Cheapest isn't always the best even to learn on. If there is a particular style of pen you like, asking about them before buying will get you opinions from people that have actually turned them.
May I ask what kind of background you have work and hobby wise? It can help with descriptions if we know.
Sorry if I blathered a little too much.
Pete
PS. I'll add along the bottom left of each post is the Thanks/Like buttons. Just click one and you are done.
Many thanks for your quick reply Pete.
I took up the hobby of making sawdust appx 3 years ago, Like many others before me I the view I had in my minds eye was a totally different one to what my skill set was.
I had visions of me making some outstanding looking boxes all with perfect joints and a finish on them that would be welcomed anywhere.
I thought I would be able to make some outstanding furniture for inside the home and the garden.
I also thought I would never need to buy anyone a gift again as I would be able to make something that I would be proud to give someone.
Sadly it was not long before reality took over, I was making big pieces of wood into smaller pieces then smaller again as I was constantly re-doing the joints due to whopping big gaps.
I found that no matter how hard I tried I just can not saw anything in a straight line, like anyone I did the normal thing and blamed the tools.
My original plan was to do everything using nothing but hand tools, I think that was my first big mistake.
I then started to try and throw money at things and purchased power tools and jigs and found all I was doing was make awful things faster.
So I did the normal thing and blamed the tiny work area (It was very tiny) and ended up buying an 8' x 8' shed last year.
I got everything set up and gave it all another go, this time I was going to make a dolls house, after all how difficult can that be?
After failing miserably at making one I came to the conclusion it must be the lack of cupboard space so I have spent since August making and installing cupboards all the way around the shed, I still need to sort all of the contents out and would like to say they look great, sadly though they do not look great they look awful. I noticed that I was not looking at the problem correctly and that is that I am just not cut out to do woodwork at any level. I am sure there are others equally as bad but the cost has been high in monetary terms before I accepted it.
I found an Axminster Lathe (used 3 times) on Ebay, the ad had just been placed when I spotted it and I managed to snag myself an absolute bargain, I had no clue what I was going to do with it but it is vital I get myself a good hobby. Then out of the blue it struck me ... Pens .. I only wish I had thought of it before now. I am more excited than I was when I first thought of doing woodworking and plan to really make a go of it.
What I have not mentioned is that I am classed as disabled and have a chronic case of COPD I also have mobility issues that have arisen over the last 10 years and becoming progressively worse so I really need to start doing things in the shed instead of making excused as to why I can't, I am ex forces and have reached retirement age so we (Mrs G) live off our pensions so all the money spent so far could of been spent on making our daily living better, we don't have the money to throw much at this venture so I am even more determined to make it work.
Phew I bet you are sorry you asked now
Its a great hobby and if your lucky a little coin may find it's way into your pocket.
I dream of such things ..............
