Turning pens - for a newbie

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  • os1kne
    Senior Member
    • Jan 2003
    • 901
    • Atlanta, GA
    • BT3100
    #1

    Turning pens - for a newbie

    After seeing all of these great pens that are being posted, I have become interested in turning pens and have a few questions.

    How difficult is it to do? (it doesn't seem too hard, but I'm sure that it takes a few tries to get the hang of it.)

    How plausible is it to do with a drill press and one of those turning attachments? Or, is the turning attachment just another flaky gimmick and a lathe is the only way to do a good job.

    Can pens be turned on a full size lathe, or is a mini the way to go?

    Thanks.
    Bill
    Tags: None
    • Chuck C
      Established Member
      • Dec 2002
      • 430
      • USA.
      #2
      The best thing I could recommend is to locate your local woodcraft store and go to a pen turning class (free). They have a schedule at woodcraft,com when it is in your neighborhood and they are super informal. It takes about 1/2 hour/45 minutes. I've been to one and the fellow or woman will answer all your questions during and after the demo and they have all the equipment at the store so you can see what they use. Its Well worth the trip. Hopefully after that this forum under this topic you will find many people that will be willing to help you in anyway they can. A very good group of people. Turning pens or simply turning is very addictive and relaxing and we all love it. Hope this helps
      Chuck C

      If the skipper heard you call that deck a floor he would throw you through that little round window

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        • Whaler
          Veteran Member
          • Dec 2002
          • 3281
          • Sequim, WA, USA.
          • DW746
          #3
          A good place to start is the free pen making DVD from Penn State.
          www.pennstateind.com

          A great book is "Pens From The Wood Lathe" by Dick Sing
          Dick

          http://www.picasaweb.google.com/rgpete2/

            Comment

            • germdoc
              Veteran Member
              • Nov 2003
              • 3567
              • Omaha, NE
              • BT3000--the gray ghost
              #4
              IMO a minilathe is the best and cheapest approach to penturning. I've found the Wilton lathe to be excellent.

              I haven't tried the drill press jig, but I suspect there would be problems with runout. Plus I don't think I could shape a spindle properly in the vertical position!

              Like everything with woodworking, there's a fairly steep learning curve, but you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly. My last 10 pens are much better than my first 10, but even those first ones turned out pretty well.

              You don't need a lot of tools--mainly a parting tool and a spindle gouge. I prefer the small Sorby spindlemaster.

              Good luck!

              Jeff


              “Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, in human beings of whom they know nothing”--Voltaire

                Comment

                • gerti
                  Veteran Member
                  • Dec 2003
                  • 2233
                  • Minnetonka, MN, USA.
                  • BT3100 "Frankensaw"
                  #5
                  The size of the lathe is pretty much irrelevant in regards to pen turning. I have turned pens on mini lathes and full sized lathes, not much of a difference.

                  Gerd

                    Comment

                    • Tom Hintz
                      Senior Member
                      • Feb 2004
                      • 549
                      • Concord, NC, USA.
                      #6
                      I have a how-to story on turning pens at the link below that shojld give you an idea of what you need. As for how hard? Not difficult at all, though like anything, you can make it hard if you want I suppose. Keep it simple to get the feel of it and from there it's all fun. It's actually kind of addictive!

                      http://www.newwoodworker.com/turning/trnpens.html
                      Tom Hintz
                      NewWoodworker.com LLC

                        Comment

                        • Radman
                          Forum Newbie
                          • Dec 2005
                          • 60
                          • Iowa
                          #7
                          I've got a Harbor Freight lathe. It was on sale and I had a 20% off coupon to boot. It's model 34706 (I believe). I turn primarily pens, but have the size and horsepowe to do much larger projects. I just started turning a month ago. Going to look into stoppers, boxes and othe projects. I love it![:I]
                          Radman[8D]
                          Tom in Iowa
                          ...We're all written in pencil

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