Pen Suppliers

[Mike Moffitt]

Since I'm new to this world I'm looking for the best price pen kits. I don't really need the real expensive ones yet since I'm still learning. I've been doing a lot of research and started to put together an excel document with different suppliers, the cost, what bushings are needed, etc. Just a way for me to filter and sort and see who has the best prices. I even added a link for each one...Still along way to go on it, but thought I'd share incase anyone could use something like this.

If anyone has recommendation for where to get pen kits or other small, mini lathe kits, I'd be happy to hear about them.

Mike

[Bernie Weishapl]

Just to name a few: Arizona Sihouette, Bear Tooth Woods, Berea Hardwoods, Woodturningz, Wooden Whimsies, Craft Supplies USA, Woodcraft, Packard Woodworks, Augum Pen Works and there are others I am sure. I buy most of my kits from the first three listed and a few from Woodcraft.

[Roger Alexander]

Hello Matt, Here is one more good place to look for pen turning supplys. I have had good luck with them . www.woodturning.com (http://www.woodturning.com) At least you can look at what they have to sell and I'm sure you wil like some of the prices they have. Roger

[Greg Just]

I use Wood-N-Whimsies and watch for sales at the local Rockler and Wood Craft.

[Jim Sebring]

You can get lots of pen turning-specific info on this site: http://penturners.org/

[Joe Adams]

Who makes the best pen kits regardless of price?

[David Walser]

Who makes the best pen kits regardless of price?

"Best" is a relative term and involves questions of taste. It's kinda like asking someone to name the most beautiful women in the world. With that significant caveat, allow me to suggest one contender for the "best kit regardless of price" award: Craft Supply USA's Limited Edition Emperor Pen Kit. At $90/kit, they better be able to make a credible claim at being the best. Here's the link: http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Pen_Making___Rollerball___Fountain_Pen_Kits___Limi ted_Edition_Emperor_Pen_Kit___ltd_emporer_pen?Args = (http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Pen_Making___Rollerball___Fountain_Pen_Kits___Limi ted_Edition_Emperor_Pen_Kit___ltd_emporer_pen?Args )

[Joe Adams]

Wow! That's a nice kit and they're very proud of it!

I suppose what I meant was who makes a high quality pen kit in lieu of a low budget pen kit?

[Alan Trout]

Joe,

For one supplier I find the Craft Supply kits are best for me. I purchase probably about 75% of my kits from them. I find that the platings on the stuff they supply seem to hold up better and I personally like the style of their exclusive kits.

However with all this being said most of the kits regardless of supplier are made by Daycom. They will make them to specification for the supplier so I guess that also goes for quality of finishes. I have purchased some of the nicer kits from Woodcraft, Penn State and their dealers, and Berea hardwoods, and their dealers. and they all have very nice kits available that should last most people a lifetime.

Find a kit you like and a dealer that has the service that you like and go from there.

Alan

[Joe Adams]

Alan,

Thanks for the info.

I was given a turned pen as a gift a while back and the finish on the hardware quickly wore off. I'm just getting started myself so I want to avoid that mistake for the ones I may make.

I made my first bowl yesterday. I'll post pictures after I sand & finish.

[Greg Ketell]

Yes, the pen finish is critical, both on the metal parts and on the wooden parts.

For the metal parts the longest lasting is the "Titanium" finishes (Black Ti, Ti Gold, Titanium), Rhodium and Platinum. The Chromes are probabaly the second best. The 10K/14K golds are close to the worst. Copper and Sterling Silver are the worst.

For the wooden parts the CA finish and Lacquers appear to be the most durable. The friction (rubbed on) polishes tend to rub off again almost as quickly as they go on.

GK



Alan,

Thanks for the info.

I was given a turned pen as a gift a while back and the finish on the hardware quickly wore off. I'm just getting started myself so I want to avoid that mistake for the ones I may make.

I made my first bowl yesterday. I'll post pictures after I sand & finish.

[Greg Wittler]

I have Had good luck with just about everything from Craft Supplies. You will almost always get more wear out of higher priced materials such as he Rhodium and Platinum. I gave someone a Pen about 6 years ago, It was made with a Stabilized Buckeye Burl blank and It still has a nice finish on it (sanded to 400 or 600 grit and buffed with a friction polish). I like the Stabilized blanks for pens because since they are something you handle a lot, the finish more durable.

[ron hossack]

Off the top of my wallet I also like to use Lau Lau Woods https://www.laulauwood.net/node/40

Woodpenpro http://www.woodpenpro.com/pen_kits/0023_pacifica_fish_10k_gold.html

Timberbits http://timberbits.com/