What tools are needed for pen turning?

[David Dixson]

I have a HF 34706 lathe and would like to buy every tool necessary, but no unncessary tools, to turn pens. Can someone recommend all the tools I need?

II see they have screw on mandrels for a 1" X 8 tpi or a mandrel for a MT2 taper. Which would be better and more stable? Is a mandrel necessary or is there a better way?

What other "bits" do I absolutely need? Note I have a bandsaw, 16 speed floor model drill press and cabinet saw. Now I'm not talking about the pen kits here, but the tools and assorted items needed to turn them on the lathe, finish the wood and assemble them. I'd like to do natural wood and finish it with something to bring out the grain and leave a satin finish.

Thanks,

Dave

[Chris Barton]

Hi Dave,

This topic has been addressed many times but, most recently on this thread:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=25334

Also, regarding mandrels, it all depends upon your lathe and what kind it will accept...

[David Dixson]

Chris,

Thanks for the link, but I'd read that thread and it didn't answer my basic question, which was what does one absolutely need in the way of tools to turn the pens.

[Scott Coffelt]

mandrels, you want the MT type as it is more true running. I often just use a scraper to turn pens. It really doesn't take too much to turn them. You can check out Penn State Industries site and they have tool kits to get a feel. You can go with something cheap or plan for bigger things down the road and buy Crown or Sorby.

[Chris Barton]

David,

The problem is that what you absolutely need is... subjective. A skew, mandrel and a pen kit is enough to make a pen if you have a lathe. However, if you are not a practiced turner then, you will need a gouge, a reliable sharpening system, maybe a pen press, perhaps a pen mill, a wide selection of sandpaper, how about some friction polish, oh, lets not forget waxes...

See what I mean?

[Roger Fitzsimonds]

Hi David,

I have the basic hss tool set from Harbor freight for turning tools ( 35.00)
then for a pen press I use a arbor press from Harbor freight. you will need a drill press for drilling the blanks and a stable way to hold the blanks while you drill them. I bought the pen drill vise from wood craft, but for awhile I used a wooded screw clamp with a notch cut for a blank to fit in it. you will need a pen mill to ensure the ends a perpendicular to the length of the blank. Some kits this is critical . I use a disk sander to trim the ends of my blanks. Then various sand paper grits and finishing stuff. there is a wide selection of these and everybody has a favorite. You will also need CA glue or gorilla glue of epoxy the glue the brass tubes in the blanks.

I hope this helps pm me if you need any more advice. I am in Dawsonville which is just down the road from you.

Roger

[Matthew Poeller]

I just started turning pens not too long ago so this is fresh in my head.

Three Turning Tools:
Gouge
Skew
Parting Tool
Sharpening Supplies - Depending on the woods you turn and the quality of your tools you make have to sharpen often.
As a beginner this was easy to start with.

Pen Mill - Needed to clean and true blanks once tube is glued in
Mandrel
Extra 7MM spacers
Drill bit required by kit
Bushings required by kit
Poly Glue or Epoxy
Sand Paper
Friction Polish

That is all that is absolutely required. All the rest of the stuff just makes it easier and makes your pens much more beautiful.

The subjective part (I started without these but would never go without again):
Suggested Accessories:
Pen Vise - For Holding the blanks while drilling
Pen Press - For ease of assembly
Buffing Supplies - Tripoli and White Diamond
And anything else that I forgot.

[Randy Meijer]

The live center that came with your lathe probably has a point with a 30° included angle and will not work well with your pen mandrel. It would be best if you purchased a live center designed for metal work that has an included angle of 60°. They are available from a number of sources for about $20. Some catalogs have heavy duty live centers that run to $50; but they really aren't necessary for turning pens. I got mine at www.littlemachineshop.com (http://www.littlemachineshop.com/) .

[John Hart]

The live center is really a problem as Randy points out. These mandrels will chew up a live center in no time. There are mandrels that kinda fix the problem as well....but my personal solution was to mill a cut-off piece of a resin pen blank and put two aligned indentations on opposite sides of it. The indentations receive the mandrel and the live center. I get smooth rotation and the live center doesn't come in contact with the mandrel.

Worked for me anyways:)

[Jeff Sudmeier]

For my first pen, I used a mandrel, drill press, vise for holding the blanks, drill bit, bushings, spindle gouge, sand paper, poly glue and spray laquer. (I used the drill press to assemble them).

Other tools that make it ohh so much easier are a pen mill, pen press, friction polish and high grit sandpapers. The turning kit from Harbor Freight has also gotten rave reviews.

[David Dixson]

The live center that came with your lathe probably has a point with a 30° included angle and will not work well with your pen mandrel. It would be best if you purchased a live center designed for metal work that has an included angle of 60°. They are available from a number of sources for about $20. Some catalogs have heavy duty live centers that run to $50; but they really aren't necessary for turning pens. I got mine at www.littlemachineshop.com (http://www.littlemachineshop.com/) .


Randy,

Which of the two live centers did you pick up? This one:

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1189

Or This one:

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1592

There's not a lot of difference in cost and I'd like to only buy once. Harbor Freight seems to have this one, which looks similar to the second one for less money:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38573

Also, can anyone recommend a good reputable and reasonably priced outfit to buy a mandrel and associated goodies from? I was going to buy from Penn State, but some of the comments I've read about their customer service left a good bit to be desired and I'd rather buy from someone I know gives good service.

[Randy Meijer]

David: I bought the first one.....#1189.....on the recommendation of a long time turner. Both of these are designed for metal work and the other one is a double bearing model for really heavy . The standard duty one will work just fine for pens. There is one thing you may need to watch for. The live center I received was so loaded up with grease that it was very stiff to turn. In fact, when I put it on the lathe, the mandrel would not drive it without putting so much pressure on the tailstock quill that the mandrell was bowing slightly. So, I put a drop or two of WD-40 on the live center, warmed it up with a hair dryer for about 5 minutes and then ran the lathe for about a half hour. That "freed" everything up and never again had a problem with driving the live center.

[David Dixson]

Randy,

Thanks for the information. I'm not suprised about the grease. I saw the stuff years ago with captured weapons and equipment stores. (Don't ask where or when.) Seems like the Chinese have been consistent and kept up the old practices. But, at least it gets it across the pond without it rusting up.

I think I'll go ahead and order that one. I've totalled things up and by the time I get all the accessories to make the lathe accurate enough to turn pens, I should about have more money in the accessories than I originally paid for the lathe. Now why does this seem familiar?

[Randy Meijer]

That's exactly the way it is supposed to be. You're learning!!:D :D

[Randy Meijer]

...Also, can anyone recommend a good reputable and reasonably priced outfit to buy a mandrel and associated goodies from? I was going to buy from Penn State, but some of the comments I've read about their customer service left a good bit to be desired and I'd rather buy from someone I know gives good service.

I have always found PSI to be the Wal-Mart of pen crafting...... cheap; but not always the best quality. For the cheapest arbor and mandrel try either:

www.bereahardwoods.com (http://www.bereahardwoods.com) or
www.penkits.com (http://www.penkits.com) or
www.arizonasilhoeettes.com (http://www.arizonasilhoeettes.com)

These are also good places to buy kits and wood.

Also try www.woodturnerscatalog.com (http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com) . This is the site for Craft Supplies USA. They have a lot of good stuff at competitive prices.

I have minimal problems with any of the above vendors and their customer service has been excellent!!!