A question for the pen turners

[Timothy Mann]

A couple of days ago I ordered this from PSI, #2 MT Pen Mandrel Saver PackageItem #: PKMS2SET

I also ordered some pen kits to make for christmas presents. The question is, is this all I will need to turn pens? Other then wood of course. If there is anything else I will need, or that you could recommend please let me know.

[Marty Eargle]

You will need the bushings for the specific pen kits that you ordered. They are normally listed on the same page as the kits themselves. This will allow you to know what size to turn the pen down to.

Edit: You will also need the proper size drill bit to drill out the blank so that you can put it on the mandrel. As well as CA glue, finishes, tools, sandpaper, etc.

[James Combs]

I will assume that you are already a turner and have a lathe and turning tools.

The "set" that you ordered gives you most of what you need to turn Slimline style pens. If the pen sets you purchased weren't SLs then you will need to get appropriate bushings(the small metal cylinders that come on the mandrel you purchased). Each style of pen has it's on set of bushings. You may also need finishing supplies unless you plan on using something you already have. Give us more detail on your previous turning experience or lack of and you can give you more detailed answers.

[Timothy Mann]

I will assume that you are already a turner and have a lathe and turning tools.

The "set" that you ordered gives you most of what you need to turn Slimline style pens. If the pen sets you purchased weren't SLs then you will need to get appropriate bushings(the small metal cylinders that come on the mandrel you purchased). Each style of pen has it's on set of bushings. You may also need finishing supplies unless you plan on using something you already have. Give us more detail on your previous turning experience or lack of and you can give you more detailed answers.

Thanks for your reply, I have just about everything I might need for turning, tools, sanding disks/pads, all of the basics. I thought it might be nice to try out pens as gifts for the holidays. I did order a 6 pack of slim line pen kits from PSI as well. But never having done pens before I didnt know if there might be anything else, like bushings, that I might need. If so, I would like to order it now before its to late to get done for the holidays.

[James Combs]

Marty addressed drill bits.
Another item is a way to square the ends of the barrels before turning them. Typically it is done with a pen mill but it can also be done on the lathe if you have a chuck(collet or scroll) or on a sander with a jig to ensure a right angle.

You should not need to order separate slimline bushings, a set of three come with the mandrel you ordered. We will think of something else in a minute or two lol.

[Timothy Mann]

Marty addressed drill bits.
Another item is a way to square the ends of the barrels before turning them. Typically it is done with a pen mill but it can also be done on the lathe if you have a chuck(collet or scroll) or on a sander with a jig to ensure a right angle.

You should not need to order separate slimline bushings, a set of three come with the mandrel you ordered. We will think of something else in a minute or two lol.
Thanks James, the mandrel I ordered comes with the 7mm drill bit as well. I did not know about having to square the ends of the barrels though, good info thank you!

[Jim Burr]

You'll need a way to press the parts together too. Several options like a vise, pipe clamp. pen press. With slims, tranny depth is critical...1/16" is the difference between gift and fire pit! Although a lot of discussion exists, thick CA is great for gluing tubes in.

[Timothy Mann]

You'll need a way to press the parts together too. Several options like a vise, pipe clamp. pen press. With slims, tranny depth is critical...1/16" is the difference between gift and fire pit! Although a lot of discussion exists, thick CA is great for gluing tubes in.
While reading past threads here on SMC I saw a post by someone that said how they use the pen from a door hinge in a drill press to press the tubes in, I thought I would give that a try.

[Tom Wilson66]

PSI has posted a video showing the basic steps on you-tube. Might want to look there for more information.

[James Combs]

While reading past threads here on SMC I saw a post by someone that said how they use the pen from a door hinge in a drill press to press the tubes in, I thought I would give that a try.

I would op for something softer like a hard plastic dowel, something like UHMW or nylon. I used my drill press for a while and it works great but you will need something to hold your barrels vertical when pressing in the parts.

If you are really serious about making pens check out the library over on the IAP(International Association of Penturners) penturners dot org. The libray starts out with "Pen making 101".

[mickey cassiba]

While reading past threads here on SMC I saw a post by someone that said how they use the pen from a door hinge in a drill press to press the tubes in, I thought I would give that a try.
I use a quarter inch carriage head bolt in the DP... works just fine.

[Bernie Weishapl]

When you order also order the free pen making DVD from them also.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

When you are making your blanks:
Drill from the center of the pen to the ends. This way, your drill bit is in the center of the blank, if it wanders, the grain at the center of the pen will still match up. You will need a drill press or tailstock drill chuck to drill your blanks. If you use a drill press, you will need something to hold the blank vertical. Not your hands or pliers.
Use a sharpie and mark the inside of the barrel at the center of the blanks, so you know which ends go in the center. Do NOT mark the blank, you will never sand out the mark.

The above 2 items gave me the most trouble before I figured them out. 3 if you count holding the blank with pliers. I learned that one pretty quick though.

[Ian James Webster]

There is a great forum for pen turning that will offer lots of advice, suggestions etc: www.penturners.org

[Timothy Mann]

Thank you to all that have responded here, and the help you have provided me, I will go look for the PSI video now.


EDIT - I just finished watching the PSI video, now I am even more excited for my kit to arrive so that I can start. But while watching the video I had a thought, I am sure there is a perfectly good reason why most dont do it this way but if I dont ask I wont know what the reason is. Rather then use a drill press or other method to press the tubes into the blanks, could I use my tail stocks live center, with a wood turned cover over it, to press the brass tube into the wood blank while holding it in my talon chuck? I have turned many different sizes of wooden covers to fit over my live center for various uses in the past, would something similar work here?

[James Combs]

...EDIT - I just finished watching the PSI video,...Rather then use a drill press or other method to press the tubes into the blanks, could I use my tail stocks live center, with a wood turned cover over it, to press the brass tube into the wood blank while holding it in my talon chuck? I have turned many different sizes of wooden covers to fit over my live center for various uses in the past, would something similar work here?
If you have to press the TUBES into the blanks you have probably done something wrong like using the wrong drill bit. Tubes should be slip fit to the blanks. This allows a minute space for glue and hand assembly. You are probably referring to final assembly when you press the remaining pen parts into the "finished" barrel(blank+tube sub-assembly). Typically the nib will be pressed into the bottom of the lower barrel, a twist mechanism(we call it a transmission or tranny) or center coupler will be pressed into the top of the lower barrel and a finial will be pressed into the top of the upper barrel holding the clip in place. There are other scenarios depending on pen style. Now to answer your question. Yes you could use your tail stock to press in the aforementioned components as long as attention is paid to alignment and protection of the finished barrels. Hope this clarifies the pressing operation somewhat.

[Timothy Mann]

If you have to press the TUBES into the blanks you have probably done something wrong like using the wrong drill bit. Tubes should be slip fit to the blanks. This allows a minute space for glue and hand assembly. You are probably referring to final assembly when you press the remaining pen parts into the "finished" barrel(blank+tube sub-assembly). Typically the nib will be pressed into the bottom of the lower barrel, a twist mechanism(we call it a transmission or tranny) or center coupler will be pressed into the top of the lower barrel and a finial will be pressed into the top of the upper barrel holding the clip in place. There are other scenarios depending on pen style. Now to answer your question. Yes you could use your tail stock to press in the aforementioned components as long as attention is paid to alignment and protection of the finished barrels. Hope this clarifies the pressing operation somewhat.
That makes perfect sense. Thank you James, I had a completely different picture in my mind about what was being pressed in.

[James Combs]

BTW one more item you should have... Be sure to go to the website where you purchased your pen kits, find your kit, somewhere on the kit's web page you will find a link for the instructions, download them and print them out. You may find a set of instructions folded up in the penkit but I always double check the online version, I have found differences(updates). For PSI the link to the instructions is almost center page, just to the lower right of the kit picture you will see "Product Instructions". Click on those words to download a pdf file of the instructions.