Bob Noles
12-15-2005, 8:51 PM
I really wasn't going to get into pens this early in the game, but have had my interest sparked somewhat by a few events. I have been studying the needed (wanted) equipment that looks necessary or at least useful to enter that area. I don't want to drop another big bundle just yet until I am sure I will like pens in the long run.
Some of the big ticket items are things like, Pen Press $40, Disassembly tools $20, Pen Mill "set" $35 and center drilling vice $40.
My question is, are these things necessary in the beginning or is there work arounds using existing tools I already have in my shop? Knowing me, I will have all of these items and more if I really get into that phase of turning, but I would like to wade around in several shallows to get my feet wet until I find real direction of long term interest.
I was playing around with shopping carts online and found myself going over $300 on every one of them for the things that looked good to have in the pen turning field. I'm sure that can be reduced by at least 2/3 if I knew more about what I was doing. What is the bare minimum equipment need to produce a few decent pens to start and see if I like or hate that area?
Y'all have been great for putting up with my newbie questions and silly comments. Thanks for keeping me straight this far.
Some of the big ticket items are things like, Pen Press $40, Disassembly tools $20, Pen Mill "set" $35 and center drilling vice $40.
My question is, are these things necessary in the beginning or is there work arounds using existing tools I already have in my shop? Knowing me, I will have all of these items and more if I really get into that phase of turning, but I would like to wade around in several shallows to get my feet wet until I find real direction of long term interest.
I was playing around with shopping carts online and found myself going over $300 on every one of them for the things that looked good to have in the pen turning field. I'm sure that can be reduced by at least 2/3 if I knew more about what I was doing. What is the bare minimum equipment need to produce a few decent pens to start and see if I like or hate that area?
Y'all have been great for putting up with my newbie questions and silly comments. Thanks for keeping me straight this far.