Helo im new to this forum. I want to start turning pens and pencils. I love a fine pens and pencils. I am ony 16 years old
I have been buying nice hand made pencils and pens since I was 13. I have had a lot of hobby over the years for electronics to recently tiffany style stainedglass. Now i want to get into pen turning. I know a little about steel lathes ( my grandfather is a retired machinist.) I also know the dangers of a lathe. but i dont know about wood working lathes. i know to start up this hobby is about 500$ im ok with that.
First like to know what is a good lathe for pen turning.
I was thinking about 2 lathes they cost about the same
the first one
Turncrafter Pro 1/2HP Variable Speed Midi Lathe
the second
Turncrafter Plus 1/4HP Variable Speed Mini Lathe
second wat supplies will I need
third is there any safty tips you have
fourth would this kit work good
Super Pen Making Starter Set with Turncrafter Pro 1/2HP Midi Lathe
And last is there any good books or videos on pen turning
AND PLEASE DONT POST ANY THINK ABOUT MY AGE
Full Version: starting pen turning
Hi Wiz....
Welcome to the addiction!
When I started turning pens, I bought a Harbor Freight lathe. It was very affordable and did everything the name brand lathes did. No belt switching to change speeds like on some of the others.
PennState offers a video on pen turning, just ask for it. It covers safety and all the basics. Good place to start.
Look into your local community for a wood turning club or group. Chances are, there's one not too far away and chances are somebody has turned a pen from that group.
Like anything else, practice is the key. Age has nothing to do with the equation. Look at Grayson Tighe and how he started!
Good luck!
Welcome to the addiction!
When I started turning pens, I bought a Harbor Freight lathe. It was very affordable and did everything the name brand lathes did. No belt switching to change speeds like on some of the others.
PennState offers a video on pen turning, just ask for it. It covers safety and all the basics. Good place to start.
Look into your local community for a wood turning club or group. Chances are, there's one not too far away and chances are somebody has turned a pen from that group.
Like anything else, practice is the key. Age has nothing to do with the equation. Look at Grayson Tighe and how he started!
Good luck!
QUOTE (Radman @ Aug 27 2008, 03:23 PM) 
Hi Wiz....
Welcome to the addiction!
When I started turning pens, I bought a Harbor Freight lathe. It was very affordable and did everything the name brand lathes did. No belt switching to change speeds like on some of the others.
PennState offers a video on pen turning, just ask for it. It covers safety and all the basics. Good place to start.
Look into your local community for a wood turning club or group. Chances are, there's one not too far away and chances are somebody has turned a pen from that group.
Like anything else, practice is the key. Age has nothing to do with the equation. Look at Grayson Tighe and how he started!
Good luck!
Welcome to the addiction!
When I started turning pens, I bought a Harbor Freight lathe. It was very affordable and did everything the name brand lathes did. No belt switching to change speeds like on some of the others.
PennState offers a video on pen turning, just ask for it. It covers safety and all the basics. Good place to start.
Look into your local community for a wood turning club or group. Chances are, there's one not too far away and chances are somebody has turned a pen from that group.
Like anything else, practice is the key. Age has nothing to do with the equation. Look at Grayson Tighe and how he started!
Good luck!
thank you for the quick reply I was wandering if this lath will work
wood lathe
Hello,
My recomendation at your price range would be either a steel city variable speed ($249.99) or a Rockler Excalibur ($199.99). The rockler is variable speed, but you have to change the belt position to change the speed. Also, Penn State Industries often sells pens and kits that are not the same quality of Craft Supplies USA or Arizona Silhoutte.
Finally, I would recomend the following web site for all you will ever need to know about turning pens, and a great bunch of people too.
http://www.penturners.org
Good Luck,
Dan
thank you for the quick reply I was wandering if this lath will work
wood lathe
My recomendation at your price range would be either a steel city variable speed ($249.99) or a Rockler Excalibur ($199.99). The rockler is variable speed, but you have to change the belt position to change the speed. Also, Penn State Industries often sells pens and kits that are not the same quality of Craft Supplies USA or Arizona Silhoutte.
Finally, I would recomend the following web site for all you will ever need to know about turning pens, and a great bunch of people too.
http://www.penturners.org
Good Luck,
Dan
QUOTE (stainedglasswiz @ Aug 27 2008, 03:36 PM)
QUOTE (Radman @ Aug 27 2008, 03:23 PM)
Hi Wiz....
Welcome to the addiction!
When I started turning pens, I bought a Harbor Freight lathe. It was very affordable and did everything the name brand lathes did. No belt switching to change speeds like on some of the others.
PennState offers a video on pen turning, just ask for it. It covers safety and all the basics. Good place to start.
Look into your local community for a wood turning club or group. Chances are, there's one not too far away and chances are somebody has turned a pen from that group.
Like anything else, practice is the key. Age has nothing to do with the equation. Look at Grayson Tighe and how he started!
Good luck!
Welcome to the addiction!
When I started turning pens, I bought a Harbor Freight lathe. It was very affordable and did everything the name brand lathes did. No belt switching to change speeds like on some of the others.
PennState offers a video on pen turning, just ask for it. It covers safety and all the basics. Good place to start.
Look into your local community for a wood turning club or group. Chances are, there's one not too far away and chances are somebody has turned a pen from that group.
Like anything else, practice is the key. Age has nothing to do with the equation. Look at Grayson Tighe and how he started!
Good luck!
thank you for the quick reply I was wandering if this lath will work
wood lathe
You mentioned that your grandfather is a retired machinist.
Do you have access to a metal lathe?
If so, there's where I would start.
If I were doing penmaking all over again, I would have never bought a wood lathe. I would have started with a metal lathe.
Do you have access to a metal lathe?
If so, there's where I would start.
If I were doing penmaking all over again, I would have never bought a wood lathe. I would have started with a metal lathe.
[quote name='stainedglasswiz' date='Aug 27 2008, 08:44 PM' post='715503']
Helo im new to this forum. I want to start turning pens and pencils. I love a fine pens and pencils. I am ony 16 years old
I have been buying nice hand made pencils and pens since I was 13. I have had a lot of hobby over the years for electronics to recently tiffany style stainedglass. Now i want to get into pen turning. I know a little about steel lathes ( my grandfather is a retired machinist.) I also know the dangers of a lathe. but i dont know about wood working lathes. i know to start up this hobby is about 500$ im ok with that.
First like to know what is a good lathe for pen turning.
I was thinking about 2 lathes they cost about the same
Super Pen Making Starter Set with Turncrafter Pro 1/2HP Midi Lathe
This looks like a very good starter kit. This lathe has the biggest motor of the ones you are looking at and the variable speed switch is quite handy. You should have your Grandfather teach you how to check for runout on any lathe you buy. Nothing is as irritating as a new pen you just made when you find out it's thicker on one side than on the other. Pick a lathe that you think has a strong bed. If you can go to wood craft stores of some type and look at them in person your Grandfather could help you pick a good one. Small metal lathes ae the next step up and you will probably want one at some time if you enjoy the wood lathe. The cost will go up considerably for the metal lathe. Tools for them can be quite expensive also. The penturners.org website is an excellent place to learn lots of stuff and even if he doesn't tell you, BGray is also quite good at this hobby. If you haven't already check his website.
Google 'pen turning' or something similiar and you will find all kinds of info, books, cds, etc. You are lucky you have a family member to help you. If you and your Grandfather can work together he will be able to teach you lots of things. Ask him what not to do. I'll bet he knows.
The most important thing is too not get in a rush, have fun with this, you may turn out to be a famous wood turner one day.
GaryR
I have also worked in stained glass for about 16 years. Nice to have a fellow glasser on board.
Helo im new to this forum. I want to start turning pens and pencils. I love a fine pens and pencils. I am ony 16 years old
I have been buying nice hand made pencils and pens since I was 13. I have had a lot of hobby over the years for electronics to recently tiffany style stainedglass. Now i want to get into pen turning. I know a little about steel lathes ( my grandfather is a retired machinist.) I also know the dangers of a lathe. but i dont know about wood working lathes. i know to start up this hobby is about 500$ im ok with that.
First like to know what is a good lathe for pen turning.
I was thinking about 2 lathes they cost about the same
Super Pen Making Starter Set with Turncrafter Pro 1/2HP Midi Lathe
This looks like a very good starter kit. This lathe has the biggest motor of the ones you are looking at and the variable speed switch is quite handy. You should have your Grandfather teach you how to check for runout on any lathe you buy. Nothing is as irritating as a new pen you just made when you find out it's thicker on one side than on the other. Pick a lathe that you think has a strong bed. If you can go to wood craft stores of some type and look at them in person your Grandfather could help you pick a good one. Small metal lathes ae the next step up and you will probably want one at some time if you enjoy the wood lathe. The cost will go up considerably for the metal lathe. Tools for them can be quite expensive also. The penturners.org website is an excellent place to learn lots of stuff and even if he doesn't tell you, BGray is also quite good at this hobby. If you haven't already check his website.
Google 'pen turning' or something similiar and you will find all kinds of info, books, cds, etc. You are lucky you have a family member to help you. If you and your Grandfather can work together he will be able to teach you lots of things. Ask him what not to do. I'll bet he knows.
The most important thing is too not get in a rush, have fun with this, you may turn out to be a famous wood turner one day.
GaryR
I have also worked in stained glass for about 16 years. Nice to have a fellow glasser on board.
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