TM - Mystery Box

[jackjohnsonuk]

Hi all,

I'm seriously considering signing up to Taylor Mirfields Mystery Box subscription (don't tell the wife), I love the idea, I just wanted to see who else here use this and if you've got any pictures of what you got in your box before I jump into it?

Also, seeing as I only have bushings currently for sierras, slimline and Chairman pens I think it's a great way of expanding my bushing collections

Thanks in advance

Jack

 

[alpha1]

I have only ever had good experiences with TM I would go for it.

 

[Gadget-UK]

Agree with Dave

It is how I started out pen making, different kits (with bushings)
Some rather exotic blanks as well, after a while I stopped the bushings but kept going with the kits for a fair while.
Never had an issue and always got more in the way of kits etc than buying separately

 

[wm460]

Go for it and post some pics.

 

[jackjohnsonuk]

Peer pressure sunk in! I placed the order and will post some pictures of what goodies are in the boxes as and when they come for any other perspective subscribers!

Cheers guys

Jack

 

[jackjohnsonuk]

Further to my last message, I plan to post what I receive each month in the Mystery Box, and then what I turn out of its contents, as long as people are interested? Perhaps it'll help others who might be considering it.

I finally found some time to open my Mystery Box from TM, which arrived promptly and arrived in a nicely padded envelope. I opted for the Small Mystery Box, Including Bushes, and wasn't quite sure what I was going to recieve.

Month 1-

So my only initial thoughts are that I have no idea what I was actually sent, as nothing inside the envelope is labelled. However, I put this down to me being new to anything other than Slimlines and Sierra's, and is easily fixed by some research on the Taylors Mirfield website.

My initial thoughts are simply that for my money I could have brought a lot of slimlines, but the whole reason I signed up to this it to try different pens. Upon inspecting the pen it reminds me that more does not equal better. This pen kit is beautiful. It seems extremely well made, everything just oozes quality, I feel that I've indeed got a bargin.

After some further research, I believe I have an MK2 Shakespeare rollerball - retail value of £21.99 plus the bushes valued at £6.50. I haven't experienced a high-quality kit before, and I personally think at retail price this is a great deal, and in my £20 mystery box it's a steal.

I'm extremely pleased with my first package and hope I can do this lovely kit justice.

 

[alpha1]

I have made a couple of them they turned out really nice. Just one thing when seating the clip make sure it sits in the cut out in the cap. I ruined one by seating the cap with the clip in the wrong orientation its in my scrap bin as you can not buy the cap on its own.

 

[Penpal]

Well there you go Jack nothing ventured mate,you did luck out. Now for the pen. Makes you think does,nt it. I valued my learning experiences, with penmaking there are needs and desires. If you can keep to needs it helps two things,one your finances and two the inevitable must haves.

Enjoy ,I do.

Peter.

 

[Sawes]

I have made a couple of them they turned out really nice. Just one thing when seating the clip make sure it sits in the cut out in the cap. I ruined one by seating the cap with the clip in the wrong orientation its in my scrap bin as you can not buy the cap on its own.

I am sure if you message Dan he will have spare parts and be able to send them out to you.
I know I messed up a few bits in the past and when asking about replacement parts for my error they were always accommodating.

As for the mystery boxes I have not subscribed myself as I stock the kits but have seen some great reviews from others about them.
Like the op says it a great way to try differing kits and build stock of bushes etc.


Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

 

[wm460]

Looks like you have a great deal there.

 

[jackjohnsonuk]

So, I finally got around to turning that fantastic kit.

This is only the third Acrylic I've ever turned, and it's further confirmed why I tend to stick to wood. I just can't get on with it, I'm either struggling to see what I'm turning because of the shavings bunching together, or trying to relearn how my tools want to behave on the new material. Also compared to finish wood, using Phil's fantastic techinque with Melamine, it just seems such a long process.

Having said all that, I thoroughly enjoyed turning this pen, it certainly took me well outside my comfort zone and I'm very pleased with how it came out, and I plan to use it as my daily work pen.

I'd also like to add that this really brought home to me the difference in quality between a high-end pen kit and the budget kit's I've been churning out. The whole kit oozed quality, the threads are a firm fit, but also quick to release when unscrewed, the plating looks second to none and the weight and comfort when writing is perfect.

And now the finished article:

 

[Penpal]

Lucked in with this pen Jack special colouring as well.

Peter.

 

[fortress]

You made a very nice job of that Jack, well done.

 

[wm460]

Great looking pen Jack

 

[Frederick]

Hi all

Reading what's been written here, i think I will give it go as well. I too will post pictures etc.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[jackjohnsonuk]

Firstly I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and is starting to be allowed back into there workshops. I know I'm starting to go a little stir crazy.

Mystery Box - Month 2 -



So today, I received my second pack in the Taylors Mirfields Mystery Box and again was extremely pleased with the contents!

This months pack included:

• 3 x Epsilon Pen kits (in various colours), which as a kit I've never turned before, I'm very excited to give a go.
• Bushes for the above which are TBC suitable, again something I've never tried before and will be giving a go while turning these pens.
• A lovely leather pen case, which my previous green pen will now live in to protect it.
• And a blank I can't quite identify, however looking at the Taylors Mirfields website, the closest I can see is Tiger Myrtle, which looks stunning.

Again, I'm extremely pleased with my package and pleasantly surprised to receive it during the Christmas period.

I plan to turn one of the Epsilon pens using the included blank; and as some of you may have also seen on the facebook group, I am having an attempt at casting my own blanks, so subject to them not being an embarisment, I'll turn another out of that, and then the last one can be a lucky dip pick by the wife.

Post back soon, subject to me being allowed to the workshop soon!

 

[wm460]

Look forwards to seeing the results.

 

[strat61]

An interesting and tempting concept. Worth some further investigation. Thanks for posting the pics.

 

[Frederick]

I signed up today for a £20.00 box. I will post what I receive.
The problem is that I don't know if I will need bushes or not.
Anyway I'm looking forward seeing what matures.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Frederick]

Arrived today. I was sent 3 x Athena pen kits and I am very pleased with this. I accessed TM site for instructions but unfortunately they would not realise. The Athena site does say that if there are any problems with instruction etc to email them and they will try to help. I have done this.

Also I need to find a 25/64 drill bit of a reasonable length but was wondering if a 10.00mm bit would be ok as the difference in size is only 0.078mm.

All in all, I am a happy bunny and I enjoy the anticipation of what may turn up next month.

Cheers
Frederick