First pen

Re: First pen

Howard Norman

>Carol, my first completed pen was actually made up of my first two attempts. In the first attempt one section blew out (came apart). In the second attempt I had another section blow out. So I used the remaining sections of each to make a pen. That is the pen that I use all of the time. Reminds me how easy it is to screw up.

Howard

Re: First pen

Steve Roxberg

>Very nice, I have just started turning pens and am enjoying them very much.

Found some straight line kits for $1.49 each which make it east to practice and not worry about the outcome.

I'm trying some stablized wood for the first time this weekend, I'll let you know how it goes.

Re: First pen

Carole in VA

>Steve, where do you get your kits and blanks? Woodcraft seemed to be out of stock on most blanks when I ordered my kits and I don't really have anything but walnut and white oak (which probably doesn't look very good or turn very well, but I am going to try it) I need to get some of those $1.50 kits.

Re: First pen

EagleS.C.

>you can do a lot with common woodTHird from the top is walnut cherry and maple.

Second from the bottom is spalted walnut and mahogany

Re: First pen

EagleS.C.

>Correction,Fourth from the top is Walnut cherry and mpale

Re: First pen *LINK*

Fred in NC

>Congrats, Carole !!! Nice looking pen.


International Association of Penturners

Re: First pen

Fred in NC

>Carole, all the links to penturning suppliers are in the IAP site. I posted the link below.

Re: First pen

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>Certanly agrree with the others, this is a nice pen, especialy for a first effort. You just might be a "natural" eh?

Now than, how much do you suppose this pen is worth? Ahhhhhhhhhhhh well, turn a few hundred more and than you'll break even one the equipment, but for now I'd say that you have what, a $1500? pen. ;~)

Todd O.

Re: First pen

Dennis Taylor (Akron, Ohio)

>try Ebay, there is a guy that sells them there, and they are a good price...I have purchased several times from him without issue...ebay search for pen kits, usually has pens/key rings, usually a few different kits, and he is a member of the yahoo penturners forum..nice pen...Dennis

$1.49 kits source *LINK*

Fred in NC

>That is the current everyday price from Bill Baumbeck, link below. No affiliation, just a very satisfied customer.


Arizona Silhouette

Re: First pen

Scott Greaves, Blackfoot Idaho

>Hi Carole!

That is a beautiful pen! I wish my first pen looked that good!

Wood scraps take on a whole different meaning when you start turning pens! ;-)

I would like to invite you over to Penturners.org - the same link that Fred posted. Lots of nice people there, and good information on making pens. Even as you try turning other things on your lathe you'll find it is nice to turn a quick pen every now and again just for fun!

Scott.

Re: First pen

Wood Spinner

>Like Scott & Fred said go to

http://www.penturners.org

and sign in. Lots of good info on good stuff and who to and who not to buy from.

My sugestion is to buy a bunch of extra barrels, about $0.15 each, so you can do multi glue ups and not have to open a bunch of kits. As you do kits just put their barrels back in stock.

Your trimmings will take on a new meaning.

Good turning and be safe

Bill

Thanks all!

Carole in VA

>Thanks, guys. I am waiting for AZ to open so I can call them. I don't trust their internet order thing when it says the shipping on an $80 order is $300! (Even though they point out that the shopping cart does not calculate the shipping properly. That's an understatement! LOL) Besides, when I find a place I want to do business with, I like to get to know them. :>) Having a ball...just turned a cherry one and am going to try a mahogany and maybe quarter sawn oak.

Re: First pen

RonZ

>Hi Carol,

You're off to a great start! Here's a suggestion, either get singular tubes as suggested or bulk tubes like I got at Penn State and cut them to size. Next turn another half and finish making the pen or use contrastin wood and make a combo pen. The very first pen I sold was a combo pen. It was two colors of acrylic, each of the other halves had blown out and the customer liked the combo of purple and green.

Carol, Try Freedom Pens

Stuart Johnson

>Carol, You might go to http://www.freedompens.org and look into turning some pens for our service men and women over in Iraq. You can request free pen kits for the project.

Re: Thanks all!

Steve Roxberg

>Arizona S. is where I bought the $1.49 kits, they are nice.

The wood they send is awesome. A great vendor from what I can tell.

Re: Thanks all!

EagleS.C.

>Bill at Arizona Silouhette is great and so are the Guys At Woodturningz.(Ryan,Jason and Fritz.They sell primarily Pennstateind kits but do have some Berea)

I don't even bother with Woodcraft anymore,unless I have too.

High prices,snooty management at the"local" store which is a 3&1/2 hour round trip.

You won't believe the service and knowledge you'll get from all these graeat people.

No affiliation just a very satisfied customer.

Re: First pen

Dick Hines

>By jove I beleave you've got it.

Carole, I get my kits...

BubbaBob

>...from Berea Hardwoods in Ohio, which is where Woodcraft gets theirs from. Buy from Berea and skip the middleman markup.

Blanks I use 3 sources:

Bowl scraps

Pen blanks, again from Berea

6x6x3 blocks of exotic wood from Woodcraft and cut 'em into blanks

Enjoy the black hole.

BubbaBob