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[Brian Rutter]

Hi,

I started looking how to turn a pen.

Apparrently the first thing I need is a lathe.

Started building the aformentioned lathe last week, until it is in a useable state I am reading all the tips and tricks here and gathering bits and bobs that may be useful.

If I can start a pen early next year I will be delighted

Thanks for the forum it looks a nice place to be.

Toodlepip

Brian

 

[Morse]

Welcome Brian.
You’ll find lots of help and advice on here.
Also have a look at the Tutorials.
Stay safe.

Dave

 

[Penpal]

Welcome Brian from over here.

Peter.

 

[Curly]

Welcome. Most people don't start pen making by making their lathe. I assume you are a machinist of some sort? I, and I assume the rest of us, would enjoy seeing pictures of the build as you go along.

Pete

 

[fortress]

Hello and welcome Brian, enjoy the rush..

 

[Brian Rutter]

Thanks for the welcome.

Pete; No not a machinist I just like making stuff. I have just made a couple of Stirling Engines using the kitchen table and swiss army knife approach. I would like to sharpen them up a bit and have been thinking about a lathe for a while.

Also keen on recycling HDPE and spent some time looking at pens and bits for the engines made from that.

I was going to post a picture of the progress of the lathe to date, but apparently I have to post a few more times to get the required permissions.Not to worry plenty of time for that.

Toodlepip

Brian

 

[Dalboy]

Hi and welcome Brian. I am one of the last people to tell anyone how to turn pens but still enjoy doing so very occasionally. Ask as many questions as you like and enjoy the company as well as the banter

 

[alan morrison]

Welcome to the forum, Brian.
Interesting steps to take to make a pen.
Step 1 Build a lathe
Step 2 Turn a pen.
Good luck, and everyone is now interested in seeing the photographs of the lathe building process on the kitchen table.

Alan

 

[Brian Rutter]

Alan,

I built the hot air engines on the kitchen table, I now have access to a shed.

 

[alpha1]

I have a couple of lathes I never considered making one getting evetything to run concentric would be interesting. I would be very interested in pictures of your progress.

 

[pittswood]

Hi Brian,
I am a retired engineer and I used to, many years ago, make Stuart steam engines, as a hobby. Not so expensive as they are now, but fun making them, steaming them up and let rip.
I would also love to see your pics of the progress of your one of a kind lathe.
Keep safe.
Kelvin

 

[Brian Rutter]

A few people have express interest / curiosity about the lathe I am building. Do you just want a couple of pictures or how about a full build thread? Either way which forum should I post the pictures in?

It looks as though I can now post pictures and videos. So his is one of my "table top" engines - not a lathe in sight.

 

[Phil Dart]

Hi Brian - welcome to the Forum. I believe you'll be assured of a good audience here if you'd like to post photos or videos of your lathe build progress - it'll be great to see. The best place to post them is in "Tools, Equipment & Accessories" I think.
http://www.penturners.co.uk/tools-equipment-and-accessories/

Fascinating video above, by the way - thanks for sharing it

 

[Pierre]

A few people have express interest / curiosity about the lathe I am building. Do you just want a couple of pictures or how about a full build thread? Either way which forum should I post the pictures in?

It looks as though I can now post pictures and videos. So his is one of my "table top" engines - not a lathe in sight.

That's a hell of a swiss army knife to produce that!!


When you make the lathe, dont forget the kiss test else it wont work that is the drive point must meet the counter point precisely all the time and hysteresis must be kept to a minimum when the sliding parts are locked.

Welcome from S of France

 

[Curly]

Wow Brian! I'm blown away.
Are you going to steam power the lathe?

Pete

 

[Brian Rutter]

OK - I forgot the coping saw and the soldering iron.

Lots of reclaimed copper pipe.
Wheel from surplus MDF floortiles.
Handrailing old brake pipe when car failed MOT.
Oak cladding on water tank - coffee strirrers from starbucks.
Bearings 4 x 20 bearings from 1 fidgit spinner.
Linkages are bambo meatskewers from the pound shop.
Displacer pistons - balsawood wrapped in aluminium foil
Power Pistons cast insitu epoxy.

My projects always seem to fail the KISS test and are subject to rampant feature creep - "wouldn't it be nice if............" or "How about"

 

[AllenN]

That’s impressive Brian. You will have no problems with pens!

 

[Penpal]

I built my first lathe in the 1980,s never regretted that decision it really makes you aware of quality and fully appreciate fine machinery.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

G'Day Brian,

Welcome to the forum from the Warm centre of Aust.



Cheers,
Mark