Pen Turning Courses

[Garno]

Has anyone been on a pen turning course?

If the answer is yes I have the following questions if I may.

First off are they value for money? I have been looking at this one Pen Turning Courses near Doncaster - Turners Retreat
Secondly had you done any woodturning previous to going on the course?
Third, would I be just as well ploughing my way through YouTube and learning that way?
Fourth, Should I get a starter kit Woodturning Pen Kits | Next Day Delivery first or do the course first?

I have never turned anything before and come the end of the month I can buy either the kit or the course but not both. It will probably be a 3 month time span before I can manage both, I ask because if the course is not something that I need at this time (looking at July) then I will put it to one side and maybe treat myself at a later date (probably next year) the same applies with the Kit, I have also found this one Rotur Planet PM1/K Pen Turning kit: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

I hope that all makes sense

Gary

 

[Dalboy]

I think it would be more beneficial to take a basic turning course and learn the tools. You can always turn odd bits and pieces before turning any pens.

Another option would be to invest in Keith Rowley;s book "A Foundation coarse in woodturning" which will tell you a lot of useful information.

Be very careful about learning from U tube as some are not always showing the best way to turn, having said that there are also so very good turners who do post. It is a case of knowing which is which.

Contacting a local club may also be a way to go if they are meeting or they may point you to a member who is capable to show (as well as willing in these times)

 

[alan morrison]

Derek above is spot on.
I don't know if you have got yourself a lathe yet but if not then most folk here would recommend that you get one that has a 2 Morse Taper.
That penturning kit that you highlighted is for a 1 MT.
You are doing the right thing by asking these questions and then you will get sound advice.
Alan

 

[Garno]

I think it would be more beneficial to take a basic turning course and learn the tools. You can always turn odd bits and pieces before turning any pens.

Another option would be to invest in Keith Rowley;s book "A Foundation coarse in woodturning" which will tell you a lot of useful information.

Be very careful about learning from U tube as some are not always showing the best way to turn, having said that there are also so very good turners who do post. It is a case of knowing which is which.

Contacting a local club may also be a way to go if they are meeting or they may point you to a member who is capable to show (as well as willing in these times)

Thank you for your quick reply I have looked into doing a woodturning course but the price made my knees go weak and I broke out with a nervous sweat, when I showed the details to Mrs G I ended up making my own dinner for 3 whole days. Not sure what is the worse, Mrs G's wrath or my cooking so needless to say that option was quickly ruled out

 

[Garno]

Derek above is spot on.
I don't know if you have got yourself a lathe yet but if not then most folk here would recommend that you get one that has a 2 Morse Taper.
That penturning kit that you highlighted is for a 1 MT.
You are doing the right thing by asking these questions and then you will get sound advice.
Alan

I do have a lathe that I purchased second hand from Ebay for £125 including a chuck and 6 HSS chisels.

At the time of buying a few people on UKworkshop Forum where I posted photo's have identified it as being AC240WL Axminster Craft AC240WL Woodturning Lathe - 230V | Axminster Tools but it has no badges on it. I purchased it believing it was an Axminster lathe. Unfortunately someone rejected that and said it was China 10X18" Mini Wood Lathe 370W (MC1018) - China Lathe, Woodworking Machine which I believe is also an unbadged Axminster one. If I'm coming across like someone who has got no idea of what they are talking about that is because I don't. The bloke selling it did not like woodturning and had only used it about a dozen times.

 

[Neil Lawton]

I'd recommend a course, but I would say that as it's what I do for a living! ;-)
I just looked at the turners retreat site and I'm actually more expensive. I should point out though I do one to one, or one to two rather than multiples and back it up with after course email advice free of charge.
Worker in Wood – Wood Turning Courses in Yorkshire Tell the missus your taking her on holiday to York

 

[Garno]

I'd recommend a course, but I would say that as it's what I do for a living! ;-)
I just looked at the turners retreat site and I'm actually more expensive. I should point out though I do one to one, or one to two rather than multiples and back it up with after course email advice free of charge.
Worker in Wood – Wood Turning Courses in Yorkshire Tell the missus your taking her on holiday to York

Thanks for replying Neil.

You're only £15 more expensive (Just been poking around your site) and I can get a return rail ticket for £26.70 not sure how long it takes to drive from Dronfield to York.
If I decide to go on your course I will give you a call and we can sort out days etc, If I decide to go on the other course I will email you and let you know.
Hopefully I will let you know one way or the other towards the latter part of next week or the early part of the following week (I get money at the end of each month)
I will be looking to do it in July.

Gary

 

[Bill Mooney]

Like the others I recommend a couple. You will learn workshop safety as well as turning techniques. Remember this: if you have an accident it will cost you more than the price of a turning course & will have a great impact on your family. A lathe is a high speed machine which needs to be treated with great respect. The risk is yours alone but the consequences go far beyond you. Once you’ve done a course you’ll be in a better position to choose what you watch on YouTube.

 

[Geoff Kent]

The Rotur pen kit you mention is the same one I purchased when I started pen turning.It is a pretty good kit and also comes with five good quality twist pen kits.In fact I have been using it today.You do need to establish the taper of your lathe,either Morse taper 1 or Morse taper 2.The pen turning kit is available in both tapers.
Re turning courses I cannot comment as I am self taught.I made mistakes on the way,still do,its part of the journey.The main thing is learn how to turn safely,a piece of wood spinning at 1500 rpm can bloody hurt!
Re videos,Mike Waldt has a very good set of vids on You Tube,they start from really basic stuff and go to some advanced turning.I found them very helpful.

 

[Penpal]

In conflict perhaps I recommend you join a wood group post- haste where the membership cost is nominal and advice flows freely and later on do a course which will really benefit you.


Peter.

 

[AllenN]

Hi Gary. I started off self taught. I found Kieth Rowley’s book and that by Richard Raffan the most useful. Later I was introduced to RedRose Woodturning Club and I have to say the combination of demonstrations and conversation with others was really useful. The club runs hands on nights (pre covid) and that showed me just how helpful one to one or small group training can be. I think it shortens the learning curve as well as encouraging different techniques. Make sure you also learn how to sharpen your tools, that is in my view essential.
I use a Rotur mandrel and find it excellent especially with the addition of a mandrel saver. There is loads of advice, notes etc. On such kit here on the forum. Worth searching through before parting with hard earned cash. Enjoy the journey.

 

[Phil Dart]

Don't forget about Walter Hall's excellent book too.
Complete Guide to Turning Pens & Pencils: Techniques and Projects for Turners of All Levels: Amazon.co.uk: Hall, Walter: 9781600853654: Books

 

[Paul hd]

In conflict perhaps I recommend you join a wood group post- haste where the membership cost is nominal and advice flows freely and later on do a course which will really benefit you.


Peter.

Agree with Peter on this.
If you don't have a club then just take it easy, watch a load of vids and enjoy. You will be turning like a pro in no time.

 

[Tony.]

Agreed with whats been said above.
I started using a lathe 2 years ago, and pen turning 1.5 years ago and had no prior experience in either.
I figured that attending 1 day general lathing courses for safety first and tool techniques second was crucial.
The rest, has been picked up on here, Youtube and trial and (lots of) error.
For the reasons above, I didn't feel like it needed to be Pen turning course. A general lathe use course was just fine.

 

[wm460]

I reckon a wood turning course would be the way to go, even if it is expensive.
Otherwise you will end up like me, I live about 2500 km away from the nearest course or club, now 15 years or so later, I am too firmly entreanch with all my bad habits too change now.
You cant teach an old dog new tricks.