Got The Jet , Now What???

[Ken Massingale]

Finally found a Jet VS Mini locally! Time to celebrate.
Now I want to make some pens and pencils. Can I get a list of the equipment need to get started, and the best sources? I know mandrel set, but which, and what else is necessary and what is nice but not necessary.
Thanks a lot.
ken

[Chuck C]

This is the kit of 5 pens and 5 pencils that penn state industries offers. You can see what you get. And while your there you can order a free training DVD

http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PSI&Product_Code=PKSTART1B&Category_Code=PSS

They have lots of stuff but you can make pens and pencils on your JET with this kit. The mandrel that comes with it fits the JET.

[kwgeorge]

If you have a Woodcraft near you I like there Mandrels and Pen and Pencil sets personally and it will at least get you going.
Here I was I think you need to get going.

1) Pen Mandrel
2) 7mm Bushing set
3) 7mm Brad point Drill bit
4) Thick CA glue (I like it better :-P)
5) Barrel Trimmer.
6) Slimline Pen Kits (easiest to start with)
7) Some 5”X3/4”X3/4” wood

If you have a drill press vice you can hold the blank for drilling if not you can make a quick jig. If you have a bench vice you are good to go for assembly for right now.

I did a tutor on making a slimline you can run through real quick to get the steps in your mind.

http://www.theturnersshop.com/turning/slimlinepen/slpen1.html

Looking forward to seeing that first pen!

[Scottydont]

Right on Ken. WOHOO! KW's post above should cover you. Have a blast!

[Ken Massingale]

Thanks Chuck, Ken and Scott.
I remember seeing a link here to a, I believe a forum members, web site who is selling kits at good prices. Can someone shake this ole memory for me?
Thanks again,
Ken

[mater]

Looking forward to seeing some nice pens made with that Jet. I am thinking about one in the near future.

[Rounder]

Ken, now you need to find a second job to pay for every thing you will want for the lathe. My wife and I had this discussion over dinner last night as I was telling her why I wanted a Talon chuck and that it cost more than the lathe itself.

[kwgeorge]

Marc at Woodhelp.com was selling pen kits but I think he stopped and went back to just CA.

So you have not listed in any real order;

Woodturningz;

http://www.woodturningz.com/Main.aspx

Pens of Color

http://pocwoodworking.com/catalog/

Wood Pen Pro;

http://woodpenpro.com/

Then of course you have the normal PSI, Rockler, Woodcraft, Craft Supplies and Packard Wood works.

[Ken Massingale]

Thanks again.
How are the kits at http://www.woodturningz.com/Main.aspx
His price is way less than most others. I like inexpensive, but don't like 'cheap'.
ken

[Scottydont]

quote:Originally posted by Ken Massingale

Thanks again.
How are the kits at http://www.woodturningz.com/Main.aspx
His price is way less than most others. I like inexpensive, but don't like 'cheap'.
ken

I have some of the slimline pen kits from there. They are as good as Rockler or Woodcraft. As far as quality, slimline are slimlines for the most part. When you get into other mid to higher end kits then you have to be a little more careful about brand. I have been buying kits from Bill Baumbeck of Arizona Siloutte. Bill carries Berea and Craft Supplies USA kits and I like them both. Bill offers specials every Tuesday and posts the special link on www.penturners.org. See this link for his latest specials. http://www.arizonasilhouette.com/Specials.htm

[CrashResq]

Ken,

The slimline kits from Ryan at Woodturningz are the slimlines sold by PennState. Ryan resells other PennState kits at the 10+ price. I've used a lot of these kits (love the satin silver and satin black) and have no complaints.

Bill (in OK)

[guycox]

As we are discussing pens. I saw a pen drilling guide somewhere on the net (maybe here) in the past 2 weeks or so. It was made out of MDF, had a set of cross braces and a set of MDF cam locks for clamping the blank against the fore-aft and left/right arms of the cross. -- One responder to the post said that he also used the guide for drilling sheet metal (if that helps anyone recall the posting)..


TIA

[CrashResq]

Guy,

The post you are looking for is here:

http://www.bt3central.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14680

and links to this site:

http://home.vicnet.net.au/%7Epwguild/i-dp-jig.htm

I made one of these early on in my pen turning and and would not be without it now... it's great.

Bill (in OK)