Pen blanks for beginners

[Bigblackdog]

I have purchased some pen kits from timberbits- I went for cigars and jr gents after some deliberation. I have also got a few acrylic blanks but they will stay on the shelf until I get a bit more turning experience.

I now need to get some timber blanks. I am looking for something that is interesting in terms of grain, without being nightmarish for a beginner to turn. On eBay there are some nice looking yew and olive wood blanks at a pound or so each. How are either of these to turn- any other suggestions?

Thanks
Mark

 

[silver]

You have picked a couple of nightmare pens for a beginner to start and turn to be honest. Not difficult but if you get them wrong you will be throwing money down the drain .

In my opinion you would have been better selecting a simple sierra, slimline, streaming line or similar kit as they are reasonably cheap and get the basics of kit right to send you forward to the more expensive kit.

e bay is an expensive way of buying blanks but if you Don't have the gear to cut your own then it might be the only way

Yew, olive and ash and walnut are good starters. Olive, bocote and kingwood is ok too. Avoid oak, and some of the continental hardwoods.

 

[Bigblackdog]

Oh dear. Well the cigars weren't hugely expensive $4.50, so about £2.50. Whilst I wouldn't want to throw £2.50 each time, it isn't the end of the world and I bought some spare tubes. Slimlines would have been almost as much if I bought them in this country. The reason that I went for these was because I want to turn between centres and the ones with a 7mm tube have bushings that don't fit inside the tube (or so I understand). The jr gents can sit on the shelf until I have had my brave pills!

I have the means of cutting blanks but don't have much interesting timber to cut them from. Plenty of bubinga but that is like a rock to work with and cut, so I imagine not easy to turn, and a bit of oak and walnut. I don't want to gamble a lot of value, but I would also not want to win by creating a well executed pen and yet it be uninspiring because of timber choice!

 

[Jim]

The woods you mentioned Mark are good for making pens, especially the Walnut and Bubinga .. Sharp tools is the key my friend .. The kits you have are not over difficult and if you take your time you will make some very nice pens with them .. Good luck and looking forward to seeing your pens in the forum ..

 

[Vic Perrin]

Mark PM me your details and I will put you a few blanks in the post to have a practice with. With regards to pens go for Dans Zetas easy to turn and stylish.

Vic

 

[paulm]

PM Me as well Mark and I'll chuck some in the post

 

[Jimjam66]

PM me too mate. Got loads I'll never get to.

 

[Woody]

Dan's J/G are far superior to T/B

 

[drphobus]

i found when starting out sapele wood was very good to turn and finish. Also of note it's used for windows plenty of off cuts around.

 

[Penpal]

You have wonderful dealers on the forum the pens I have seen pictured and displayed in posts bear testimony to them could Lignator come forward he is but one comes to mind.

Peter.

 

[Grump]

You can start with any wood, although some are easier than others don't be frightened to try them all.
Drill some offcuts and stick on your tubes, use slimline tubes and put on singularly between centres straight into the tubes, no bushes needed but care with the tools.
If you feel insecure doing that then make some sacrificial jam chucks to fit.
When you can turn blanks down to fit a slimline you can do any pen trust me.
If you don't like what you have done continue turning to the tube and reuse it, practice, practice, practice and then practice some more.

 

[billyb_imp]

PM me with your address Mark & I will send you a few blanks in the post

 

[bellringer]

Bubinga turn well with sharp tools


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[wm460]

looks like you are sorted now.

 

[lignaterrae]

Looks like you are sorted but if you are still needing some PM me and I'll sort a bunch of very inexpensive blanks for you

 

[Bigblackdog]

Thanks all. I will send a few PMs and see how I get on. I am taken aback by the kind offers to send a few bits, and hope that i can contribute something useful to the forum to repay the favours.

I will also look at the forum contacts for the next kits that I buy.

 

[nigel perrin]

Hi Mark, i am also new to turning, dont be frightened to have a go, i have turned pens in acrylic, corian, walnut and bowls in oak, make sure your tools are sharp and dont rush it, take light cuts and i am sure you will be fine. Good luck with it

 

[Bigblackdog]

i bought the sorby proedge, so keeping the tools sharp isnt too much of an issue. I could never get on with trying to grind plane blades on a bench grinder but have found the proedge to give consistent results.

 

[Neil Lawton]

If you can make it over to York sometime, I might have one or two blanks kicking around that you can have a go on

 

[Bill Mooney]

Enjoy your turning. Looks like you'll be busy.