I might have to make some pens!

[Bill Grumbine]

Howdy all

This past Saturday I finally sold the very last pen I ever made. For those of you pen turners here who don't know this, I was one of the original "pen guys". I made thousands of the things. I had a website on the internet when a search for wood pens turned up five of us, and I was always either one or two on the list. I made my own boxes as well, and it was very profitable for me, but by the time Christmas of 1997 rolled around, I was sick to death of making them.

<img src="http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/penbox1.jpg">

One of my best friends saw my last pen set sitting very well preserved and bought it up. It was a Slimline pen, with one of my original design clock boxes. He has just started a new job, and asked me if I could make some more for gifts. I kept all my old jigs just in case this ever happened, but it is going to take some real effort to stick that pen mandrel into the Poolewood.:eek:

Bill

[Randy Gleckler]

and I thought you only knew how to make those big awesome bowls and all sorts of other amazing furniture.... BTW, the pen and box for them look great. If you get a chance, would love to see the jig for making that. Thanks for sharing Bill

[Joe Tonich]

From pens in '97 to those beautiful turnings that your making now. I like your pen/clock box. VERY nice!

Joe

[Steve Clardy]

in the Pen box. Great idea. Good work. Steve

[Don Henthorn Smithville, TX]

Somehow, Bill, I can't just get the picture of a big burly guy like you making thos itsy bitsy slimline pens. (-: I remember reading before that you were one of the original penmakers. Tne box and pen are really nice. <br>
<br>
BTW, did the kids ever get any where with WORD FRAGMENTS?

[Jim Baker]

Bill,
That's a beautiful pen/clock/box set. No wonder you sold so many of them. That's a lot of detail for something to hold the actual product. I really like it.

[Dale Thompson]

Bill,
Sometimes we have to do things for our "best friends" that we would not do for anyone else.
AW--Quit complaining. You know that you are going to enjoy cranking that lathe up to 3500 RPM for the pens instead of the SLOW speeds for those big bowls. As usual. Beautiful work!!

Dale T.:D

[Phil Phelps]

I, too, made a few pens. People said I should sell them. Here in Dallas,Texas we have the largest State Fair in the country. That year I saw a guy makin' pens and I wanted to barf. Knocked 'em out in lighting fast production. I gave all of mine away. But, here is something I found interesting and sad. I used some really exotic woods, like I'm sure you have. But, the pens that went the fastest were the ones made from "diamond wood". And, I admit, they were great looking. Here I was hand crafting wooden pens and the man made material was kickin' beautox. What do they know anyway? :o

[Jim Becker]

Ah, my pen mentor strikes again! Your class at the Bensalem Woodcraft [RIP] in 1995 or 1996 (I believe) was my first non-home improvement woodworking experience. I still have that paduk pen, as I showed you last summer up at your homestead. But alas, I rarely do the pen thing at my own lathe...there are so many hollow vessels that seem to take priority these days. But I did fill my mother's "order" for one over the holidays...

[Dale Sherman]

Why not demonstrate penmaking in Anderson, IN on the 12th? Knock off a few pens and demonstrate at the same time. You ARE bringing your mini lathe along with the family aren't you? Or are you throwing the Poolewood into the back of the truck?

Dale

[Bill Grumbine]

Originally posted by Don Henthorn
BTW, did the kids ever get any where with WORD FRAGMENTS?

Hi Don

They have been resistant to the idea, but it is getting use. SWMBO and I use it and then make them look up words, or discuss them with us. :D The knowledge is getting through despite their best efforts.

Bill

[Bill Grumbine]

Originally posted by Randy Gleckler
If you get a chance, would love to see the jig for making that.
Thanks for sharing Bill

Hi Randy

Once I get things going, I'll take a few pics. I have to dig out the jig and dust it off. It hasn't seen any use in years. It is a nice one though. It required no measuring to set anything up, just a few lines or stops to make sure things were where they were supposed to be.

Bill

[Bill Grumbine]

Originally posted by Dale Sherman
Why not demonstrate penmaking in Anderson, IN on the 12th? Knock off a few pens and demonstrate at the same time. You ARE bringing your mini lathe along with the family aren't you? Or are you throwing the Poolewood into the back of the truck?

Dale

Mr. Sherman, bite your tongue, or I'll demo pens when I come up your way for your club meeting, which by the way, is now officially May 17th. :D I'm not bringing any lathes, but I am bringing lots of tools and some wood.

Bill

[Kurt Krauter in Indy]

I know how you feel in regards to loading the teensy weensy mandrel on the behemoth Poolewood. I felt the same way when I put the mandrell on my big lathe...Just felt like it was too big to be able to get real close to the work....I don't know...

I went back to the Mini and really felt much more comfortable there. Seems to me you can really "dance around" the Mini (I get in some weird positions doing pens sometimes).

Look forward to seeing you and family in Anderson.
Kurt

[Glenn Clabo]

Originally posted by Kurt Krauter in Indy
Seems to me you can really "dance around" the Mini (I get in some weird positions doing pens sometimes).

Kurt

To much information...

[Kurt Krauter in Indy]

Cut a guy with 7 kids some slack:D :D . I have to get my exercise somehow other than chasing kids around.
Kurt