Pen Turning Book

[paulstenlund]

I want to get into turning pens. I think i'll go with the PSI stater kit, are the chisels worth getting?? or is there a better option out there to get started? Also can anyone suggest a good book on turning pens?

Paul

[Russianwolf]

I want to get into turning pens. I think i'll go with the PSI stater kit, are the chisels worth getting?? or is there a better option out there to get started? Also can anyone suggest a good book on turning pens?

Paul

If they are the non-HSS chisels, I have them. They are entry level and good to practice sharpening. I would get a better set. I have a 3 piece set fom pinnacle that is pretty good (but I bet there are better).

Not sure which kit you're refering too. I got the one that came with a mandrel, 10 kits, barrel trimmer, blanks, bit, chisels, epoxy and friction polish. It's worth it if you need everything in it, but as I mention the chisels aren't great.

[bigsteel15]

I would suggest the books and DVDs by Rex & Kip.
Both are excellent IMHO.

[DonHo]

The "Pen Turner's Workbook" by Barry Goss is good. Do you have the free intro to pen turning DVD from PSI? If not I think it's very good for getting an idea how to go about turning pens and what's envolved.

DonHo

[Scottydont]

I second the Kip and Rex books and DVD's.

[Ken Massingale]

Hope this comes out in a positive manner....

I haven't seen the books Brian, Don and Scotty recommend so no comment there.
Pen turning is simple spindle turning, with the big plus of having bushings for a guide to turn the ends down to. Really, turning doesn't get any simpler or easier. Sure, some add beads and coves to the spindles but that again is basic spindle turning.
What distinguishes a pen from others is the material used, precision of fit of the material to the bushings and especially the finish. The combination of these 3 on the finished product is what makes a pen stand out.
My personal suggestion would be to use the $$$ for nice blanks and pen kits and practice spindle turning on scrap from the shop until you are very comfortable. Then start making some nice pens.
Just my nickels worth.

[leehljp]

I have the Kip and Rex book "Turning Pens and Pencils" and it motivated me to get started. Mostly it helped me see the different tools needed and gave me an overall picture of pen turning.

I did some turning on a lathe about 15 years ago and didn't like it then. I used some dry brittle wood that created all kinds of dust and gave it up quick. So, getting back into turning with pens two years ago, I decided to check out what was possible, what tools I needed, and techniques that I needed to learn. Since I don't have anyone locally to help, I bought the book and it helped me get the overall picture.

The book has some might pretty eye candy to have around. LOML often puts it on the coffee table for people to see.

What Ken said about learning by doing is very applicable. All the book did for me was get me out the door, but I still like looking at the book!

[Russianwolf]

Fine woodworking has a special issue out right now on turning that like $8. If you haven't gotten a book on overall turning yet, you might want to grab a copy. Alot of good info in there.

[Anna]

Pen turning is simple spindle turning, with the big plus of having bushings for a guide to turn the ends down to. Really, turning doesn't get any simpler or easier. Sure, some add beads and coves to the spindles but that again is basic spindle turning.
What distinguishes a pen from others is the material used, precision of fit of the material to the bushings and especially the finish. The combination of these 3 on the finished product is what makes a pen stand out.

Ken, I had been wondering about that. I made my first pen last weekend, and, naturally, I'm hooked. But I really can't imagine what other variations to the slimline style are available with respect to handling the wood. It seemed to me like it boils down to the type of wood and the finish, like you mentioned. I started to think that I must be missing something, then I read your post.

Anna

[Ken Massingale]

Ken, I had been wondering about that. I made my first pen last weekend, and, naturally, I'm hooked. But I really can't imagine what other variations to the slimline style are available with respect to handling the wood. It seemed to me like it boils down to the type of wood and the finish, like you mentioned. I started to think that I must be missing something, then I read your post.

Anna

Hi Anna,
My experience is this:
When I started doing pens I did the beads on the nib end, coves and beads in other places, the wasp shapes, etc., and some without those 'features'. When the pens started selling in the shops and to friends and coworkers I was left with most of the 'fancy' turnings sitting on the shelf. Like it or not, there is a limited market for pens costing more than the price of a Bic. Those who purchase 'expensive' pens tend to put their money on more conservative shapes and quality of the writing. Ladies seem to prefer the slimlines and Patriot styles (a smaller pen) while gents go for the Cigar, Gent and other heftier styles. Again those turned in a smooth line from bushing to bushing sell better. I like a very slight outward curve between the bushings, hardly noticeable.

This is just my experience in the area where we live, I'm sure others have different opinions and experience.

[Anna]

Ladies seem to prefer the slimlines and Patriot styles (a smaller pen) while gents go for the Cigar, Gent and other heftier styles. Again those turned in a smooth line from bushing to bushing sell better. I like a very slight outward curve between the bushings, hardly noticeable.

I did the slight outward curve between the bushings for the first pen (slimline, using maple burl which turned out to be not so easy to turn; but then ignorance is bliss ). So far everyone who's seen it loves it. I've been asked to make some more, but I don't know if I can get myself to charge for anything yet. I'm also thinking, "This is so easy to do, they should just make their own."

Personally, I really like the slimlines although I want to try the euro style and the cigar later, too. Do they all use the same 7mm bushings?

[Ken Massingale]

Do they all use the same 7mm bushings?

Oh no, it's never that simple or cheap!

If the euro is the same as the Designer (I think it is) it's a little testy. It has a tenon that has to be turned pretty precisely to get a good fit.

[Russianwolf]

Do they all use the same 7mm bushings?

Oh no, it's never that simple or cheap!

If the euro is the same as the Designer (I think it is) it's a little testy. It has a tenon that has to be turned pretty precisely to get a good fit.

yep, they are the same (Euro = Designer), And I'm about to find out if the bushings are the same between PSI and Berea on them.

If you get the optional center bushing that PSI has, the tennon is a breeze. Instead of using a collar, it has a movable piece that makes it very simple (and you don't risk damaging the center ring).

I also find it annoying that berea uses two different mandrel diameters and some of the kits only come with bushings that don't match mine. The Cigar you can get bushings in either "a" or "b" sizes, but the euro is either one or the other. So you have to own both mandrels if you want to turn both types.

Also ordered my first Sierra kits and toolings.

[Jim Boyd]

I have never been a fan of the "fat" slimline pens so I went with making different blanks.


Then you can even make this slimline kit pen.


You can learn alot just cruising this site.
http://www.penturners.org/forum/portal.asp

[Ken Massingale]

I have never been a fan of the "fat" slimline pens so I went with making different blanks.


Then you can even make this slimline kit pen.


You can learn alot just cruising this site.
http://www.penturners.org/forum/portal.asp

Show off!

Beautiful Jim.