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Kathy Madan
08-09-2010, 2:12 PM
I have a customer looking for some really nice quality pens to be engraved with a logo and some wording.
My normal pen company went bankrupt, but are now bought out by someone else, but the selection is slim.
I know there are some pen turners here somewhere. I need to keep them around $50 retail with my engraving. Can anyone offer some choices?

Thanks so much!

Kenneth Hertzog
08-09-2010, 2:21 PM
PM sent
Ken

Mike Null
08-09-2010, 3:08 PM
Kathy

Take a look at the roster of Friends of the Creek. I'm sure some turners are listed there.

Martin Boekers
08-09-2010, 3:11 PM
You may check with I-Mark also they have a great selection and no minmums on blanks.


Marty

Kathy Madan
08-09-2010, 3:35 PM
Thanks Martin.
I have purchased from IMark before, but I wasn't always impressed with their quality.

They might be interested in something similar to a Cross pen if anyone knows of a wholesaler.

Thanks

Martin Boekers
08-09-2010, 4:16 PM
If you find a company that has a nice quality wooden pen, please let me know. The Rosewood and Maple I'm buying from the standard vendors aren't real good either, 5%+ of wood on barrels are cracked, and the transmissions move when you write (the pen tip retracts).

I found some nice gel inks, but they tend to smear.

My clients can't budget for the middle to upper end or hand turned pens,
so this so far, is my best option.

I turn pens from time to time and even the kit parts from the
top suppliers aren't the best:(

So when if you come across a great vendor let us know!

Marty

Chuck Stone
08-09-2010, 8:04 PM
If you find a company that has a nice quality wooden pen, please let me know. The Rosewood and Maple I'm buying from the standard vendors aren't real good either, 5%+ of wood on barrels are cracked, and the transmissions move when you write (the pen tip retracts).

I found some nice gel inks, but they tend to smear.

My clients can't budget for the middle to upper end or hand turned pens,
so this so far, is my best option.

I turn pens from time to time and even the kit parts from the
top suppliers aren't the best:(

So when if you come across a great vendor let us know!

Marty

martin ..
I make pens myself, so I think I know the kits you're referring to. There's
been a lot of improvement in transmissions, and often some of the suppliers
will bulk order them. We'll get the upgraded parts and swap them out for
the ones that come with the kits. Most of the good ones now will extend
by turning in either direction, and will over-extend and then set. (retracting
a small amount) That locks them in place.

Cracking maple and rosewood .. can't say the rosewood surprises me, it
is susceptible to cracking from heat. Especially if it was sanded aggressively
or not dried properly. That can easily happen in a production setting
rather than making one at a time. I'm sure you've felt the heated blank
when you sand.. that changes the moisture content of the wood. Then
sealing it with a finish .. it's a recipe for cracking. (sometimes months
after you're done)

As for smearing gels, Schmidt is now selling some private label refills that
feel just like a gel, but don't dry out as fast and they don't smear.
I think they're Easy-Flow 9000 (or something like that) and I love them.
I pull out the Parker refills and use these instead and it sells the pen.

I do know of some people who make pens full time.. one just upgraded
his shop from 96 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft in order to make the jump. He's just
added 3 lathes and taken some 1200 piece orders, so I know he's set up
to do the production.

Kathy Madan
08-10-2010, 5:16 PM
Thanks for all the help and pm's. Now just gotta get the customer to decide.

Steve Clarkson
04-01-2011, 7:55 AM
Has anyone found a supplier for the mid-range pens (over $5 but less than $100)?

I spoke with someone yesterday who was REALLY impressed with the quality of the $3 JDS/Laserbits wooden pen.......until he found out how much they were......then he asked me if I had anything in the $50 range.....

Martin Boekers
04-01-2011, 8:39 AM
Check with I Mark, or on the turners forum here.

It's not too difficult to turn pens, a minimal investment
(about $300) and your up and running. Takes about a half
hour or so to do one. If you don't want to get that involved.
I'm sure there is someone in your area happy to supply you.
I have a consignor in my shop that does pens. So I always
have some nice or unique ones on hand.(some made out of
bullet cartridges, cool!!)

Check with a local artists or woodworkers guild. You'll find
someone close and maybe swap some pens for engraving.


Marty

Dee Gallo
04-01-2011, 8:57 AM
Steve, contact Chuck Stone, a Creeker who turns some great pens. He might be able to help you out or at least steer you in the right direction, as he knows a lot of turners.

Dan Hintz
04-01-2011, 11:01 AM
Steve,

Let's talk...

Chuck Stone
04-01-2011, 4:32 PM
I just turned 20 wood pen barrels and now I'm lasering them. (I do a sort of
3-D kind of thing.. logos, too.) Certainly under $50, but definitely over 5 too.
The idea of doing quantity doesn't thrill me .. it would turn a hobby into a job!
But work is work.. if you have some pics of something similar to what you want,
I can give you some idea..

Chuck Stone
04-01-2011, 4:36 PM
LOL .. i just saw Dee's plug!. Thanks, Dee! :D