What equipment do i need to start making pens

[alpha1]

Hi Guys I am brand new to this I have never made a pen before. I was asked by a friend to help him with machining some bullet cases to turn into pens. I did a google search to see what it is all about. I found the whole subject fascinating and decided to have a go. I have a small hobby workshop with a lathe a milling machine bench grinders drill presses etc. It is not a wood lathe but I can buy a steady to turn wood with for my model of lathe. Where should I start tooling wise the be able to build pens on my set up.

 

[Penpal]

First as a famous lady chef said,slaughter your Ox. Show us a pic of your lathe. The need includes a mandrel,the odd turning tool etc. Have fun Dave better not to rush this proceedure.

Peter.

 

[flexi]

Welcome to the slippery slope.....mostly you will need patience...it can be very rewarding making pens but like most things there will be the odd one to test you....
For starters have a look in the tutorials or i know Stiles and Bates did a good pictorial as did our own Walter Hall....you can start with only a few bits......but the 'oooh that looks good' tools will soon come along. Proberbly the most important thing is to square the tube ends....either a pen mill or disc sander and pin punches.....if you have a lathe you can buy a mandrel shaft or turn between centers.....but remember pen kits need bushes and most are kit specific. Finishes are a minefield on there own but for wood try Melamine ( how to in files page)on acrylics try car polishes or toothpaste
Lastly have fun and ask questions if your unsure

 

[yorkshireman]

To start off Dave it may pay you to watch someone. Bill Mooney lives in the north east so should be fairly close to you and a visit to him will get you off to a flying start. He is I forgot to mention registered blind so has his own way of turning but he’s a good tutor.

 

[Lons]

Hi Dave

Neil Lawton has turning classes so might be worth talking to, he's in York so not that far away. A great guy to buy wood from as well, especially olive and highly figured blanks and would advise you on what you need and how to sharpen the tools. Most of us buy far more equipment than we need and it's just wasted money.

Here's his website. Worker in Wood – Wood Turning Courses in Yorkshire

 

[wm460]

A big shed, bigger the better as they soon shrink.

 

[Pastor of Muppets]

A big shed, bigger the better as they soon shrink.

And then another shed to store wood in and then another shed to live in when the wife throws you out for trapsing sawdust in

 

[21William]

It is not a wood lathe but I can buy a steady to turn wood with for my model of lathe.

A metal turning Lathe is fine for pen making. I’ve made a couple on mine.

 

[alpha1]

Hi this is my lathe. Actually that's how it looked out of the box I have upgraded it since then with a new motor and inverter and a quick change tool post. I have also fitted a collet chuck for greater accuracy.Do you have to buy bushings separate from the pen kit to turn the blanks on the mandrel.

 

[21William]

Yes, the bushes come separately. You don’t have to use bushes though, some folks just measure carefully as they go. This may even be a better option on a metal lathe.

 

[alpha1]

Thinking about it I could probably make the bushings my self.

 

[21William]

Thinking about it I could probably make the bushings my self.

Yes, certainly.

You mentioned earlier that you have a collet chuck so you don’t need to buy a complete pen mandrel, just the shaft, provided you have a suitable collet.

These pen centres work well instead of a normal revolving centre:

SCT Pen Centre

These tools are easy to use and as you have a milling machine you could make you own. That’s what I’ve done (I also have a mill!) just buy the insert. Get some torx screws though they work better than Pozidrive IMO.

15mm Round Chisel

 

[alpha1]

Thanks for the links. I ordered one from Chronos. I have all the carbide inserts featured in the second link I will have to see if I can come up with a suitable tool holder.

 

[21William]

These are some of the wood turning tools I’ve made.

 

[alpha1]

What are the two top items. Am I right in assuming if you purchase a pen kit then you should also order a suitable bushing kit as well.

 

[21William]

The top two are collet handles Dave. They’re made from cheaply available ER20 collet chucks from China.

Yes many folks buy bushes to go with the pen kit.

 

[21William]

This is another collet handle I made with a gouge fitted.

 

[21William]

And a wooden collet handle.

 

[alpha1]

I see now what a good idea.

 

[Paul hd]

Nice looking tools William.