Shopping List

[ste297]

Hi i am new to the pen making scene and i am picking up my clarke lathe tommorrow morning.

i am looking to start turning pens for a hobby and was wondering if anyone can give me a shopping list including best brands and cheap brands(to avoid) also any technical names that item maybe called to help me find them

i understand i need the polyester casting resin and the pen kits

if any one has any guidence that will help me along the way i would like to hear it aswell

TIA

ste

 

[Dalboy]

Blimey hope you have deep pockets

Chisels
grinder(to sharpen the chisels)
pen mandrel
mandrel saver
chuck complete with jaws
drill press if you want to drill off the lathe
pen press to assemble or suitable clamp will do
pen kits
pen blanks both wood and acrylic, corian can also be used
finishes and glues

That is just a basic short list and I am sure someone will add to it

Don't forget a good sense of humour

 

[wm460]

Buy the best quality gear you can afford, nothing worst than crappy tools that let you down.

 

[Bigblackdog]

The first pen is very expensive. I would hold fire in the casting gear for now.

To add to the list above: centres, drill chuck, drill bits, micromesh.

I would also start with a single kit to minimise the different bushings needed and brill bit sizes. I would also start with wooden blanks until you get the hang if it. They are cheaper and easier.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Good luck mate you are on the slippery slope to spending excessive amounts on stuff that you most probably don't need but must have.

 

[Wrongway]

I have just been in the same position Ste. It sounds like the basics are well covered here. I would have a look at some of the Youtube videos and get a good idea what other people are using. Plenty of very good advice on the forum here though.

 

[Jim]

I would give the casting resins a miss for now Steve, and concentrate on the list the Derek gives above ..

 

[silver]

Welcome to the forum Steve.

You only need something to spin a bit of wood up, and one chisel (1/2 gouge ) sounds like you have got the spinney bit coming already.

For pens you will only need one kit, I would suggest a slimline pen to start with, as they are cheap and if you make a c@€k up of it then it's not the end of the world.

You will need something to sand the pen down and polish it up, standard friction polish is a good starters.

Get some cheap bits of wood, fire wood will do. (The packs you get at the petrol station ) you don't even need a mandrel.

Follow a few tuts on pen making then you are hooked. ..

In simple terms you don't need much more than you have already.

I agree with all the comments of buy the best you can, but you don't need too to make pens.

Where are you I the UK, there might be someone close to you that you can pay a visit and show you how simple it is ...init...

Oh and by the way, you don't need a chuck, just a dead center and a live center to start with..

Oh and you don't need a pen press, just a vice on ya bench..

 

[donwatson]

Good luck with your choices mate. Slimline pen kits are the best/cheapest to start with I think.

 

[Grump]

My grandson started with a Clarke lathe he recovered from a skip and sharpened up a paint scraper, pressed the kit together by shutting a drawer on it.
Look what I made grandad?
Ok so it was crap but it showed ingenuity and as Eamonn says you only need lots of expensive gear if you wanna spend lots of dosh
A basic setup will have you turning out good pens, the rest comes in time.

 

[GeordieB]

I agree with Grump you dont need to spend a fortune ( I did and loads of the stuff is still unused)watch loads of ytube vids some are bad but most are ok it will give you a good idea on what you need to get started and the guys on here will give you loads of advice

 

[chas_41_uk]

What Derek suggests
Plus watch lots of YouTube videos

 

[Penpal]

Steven we have members in and around Chester who may speak up now is the time for good old one to one with sharing people all the words unacompanied by pictures and knowledge will throw you into heading in too many directions at once. When we joined the Army first came the medical are you ready to give up the time or is it someone elses choice.

You have a lathe where will it go be aware where it sits its power rquirement lighting security and space. Casting brings chemicals how do you store, disperse the fumes where will you cast still I suggest a little way off. Look around for a Turning group as well see what others do and assess your needs and establish a budget. Just a few thoughts mate as you venture in welcome from over here at least you have started in better weather, all the best Peter.

 

[ste297]

cheers for all the advice i will lay of the casting of resins for now and start by learning how to turn down old bits of wood till i get used to it

i will let you know how i get along

 

[Lons]

Welcome aboard, you've had great advice already and as said just spin up some old wood. If you've never turned before, I'd turn some larger stuff say 2 x 2 to get used to spindle turning. If you want free hardwood for slimlines, scrounge some offcuts from hardwood flooring fitters or go into one of the many retailers and get some free sample to cut up, just tell them you're thinking of having a floor fitted. Oak is the most common but bamboo, ash, maple etc are all out there for the asking.
Kitchen fitters have offcuts of worktops in hardwood as well as solid surface materials like corian which are skipped. You can get a load of pens out of a sink cutout
Skips or freecycle for old hardwood furniture is worth a look as well and if you are really brave, ( like PaulM ), just dig up the garden plants and use the roots. Not recommended unless single or can afford a divorce

 

[paulm]

Welcome to the forum Steven, I would find a club or someone nearby and learn how to do a few basic things first and don't think about casting for a while, thats a whole new ball game.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Welcome Steve. You have enough good advice to be going on with. If you are not sure about anything just ask.

 

[yorkshireman]

Steve, I only live in Wrexham. I'm home next weekend and could possibly spare an hour next Sunday to show you the basics.

 

[Dalboy]

Steve, I only live in Wrexham. I'm home next weekend and could possibly spare an hour next Sunday to show you the basics.

The last time I showed someone the basics we took all day, mind you there was plenty of chat as well

 

[Makey11]

Good Luck and enjoy it , C**k ups are a given , if you Have a axminster near you go in and ask to talk to there pen expert they will help you and they even showed me how to make a pen ( and they supplied all the bits :-) ) I have never tried a wood pen yet , not that brave, i have broken a mandrel, drove my Hubby mad with sharpening my chisel , i have glued my self to my bench so many times i no longer have finger prints , but I LOVE PEN TURNING , we have pens every where :-)