My (and my kids') first pens

[Jerry Ingraham]

I finally got around to making some pens after slowly accumulating all the necessary items! Man, there is NO END to this vortex! I made these ten pens as belated secretary's day presents for the gals at work. My kids then all wanted to make pens as well, so away we went! They're all just slimline pens but they were great to make and quick too! I'm gonna place an order with Craft Supply for some more and varied kits.

[Pete Jordan]

Very impressive Jerry!

You are going to need at least two more lathes and various equipment. Two more weeks of school and that is what I plan to do with my three sons.

[Tom Sherman]

Nice pens Jerry, and congratulations on getting the younguns into the act.

[Patrick Taylor]

Are you running a sweatshop? Are there no child labor laws in WA? ;) Those pens look great. My 10 y.o. just did his first turning this weekend, and now he's ready to do some more. Pretty soon I'll have to order my bigger lathe to get any time turning! :(

[Keith Burns]

I just love to see this !!! Very special !!! Nice pens too:) :)

[Marc Martindale]

That's great Jerry, every time I see a posting with the kids I wish I had gotten a lathe 10 years ago while my daughter was young and still at home, she into crafts, and would have loved turning with me too!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Nice looking pens Jerry! Nothing better than having the kids interested in the same things you are - at the same time!! Enjoy!

[Jerry Ingraham]

Thanks everyone. Sweatshop! That's great! They have all turned their own bowls before, but I had to really be lurking over their shoulders due to catches and the like. Pens seem to be a great place for them to build confidence in their abilities. The only problem is the flood of their friends who want to come over and turn something!

[Frank Howell]

WOW, I hope my first pens come out that nice. Great work to you and the Youngin's.

[Gary Herrmann]

Very cool, Jerry. I keep wanting to let my son try, but SWMBO is vetoing it for now. He's 6, so I'll wait a bit to keep the peace.

[Pete Jordan]

Jerry,

I ordered this in anticipation of working with the kids.

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/cgi-bin/shopper?preadd=action&key=130-0042

I haven't used it yet but plan to soon.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Nice pens Jerry. It is great to see the kids involved. Enjoy.

[Chris Barton]

Very nice indeed. Plus, the kids will remember that forever.

[Mark Cothren]

Good goin', Jerry. I wish my son had an interest in turning like your's do. Keep 'em going!

[Patrick Taylor]

Jerry,

I ordered this in anticipation of working with the kids.

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/cgi-bin/shopper?preadd=action&key=130-0042

I haven't used it yet but plan to soon.

That looks like a great idea!

[Daniel Heine]

Jerry,

Before you order from Craft Supply, check out this web site:

http://www.arizonasilhouette.com/

Bill has excellent prices, good service, and top quality pen kits. My favorite kit to make is the Baron. Arizona Silhoutte is the oly company that sells it. It is easy to turn, and looks fantastic when finished. Their Sedona is basically the same pen. http://www.woodturningz.com has very good prices also, but their kits are from Penn State Industries, and are not the same quality level as AZ or CSUSA. AZ sells only Berea Hardwood kits.

If you need decent kits fast, Woodcraft's kits are very nice, and they have a decent selection.

Welcome to the bottomless pit. One tool I could not live without is my pen drilling vise. I bought my first one at Woodcraft, and it lasted about 5 months. I now have one of Paul Huffman's, and it is the very best. You can contact him at phdesigns1@yahoo.com if yiou want to order one - I get no comission, just recomending an incredible product. I have a picture of the vise below, you must supply the base.

Happy Turning,
Dan Heine

[Jerry Ingraham]

Thanks for the links Daniel. So far CS has been excellent as far as customer service and shipping is concerned. As far as a blank vise is concerned, so far I have just been clamping them in a wood screw clamp and drilling away in my drill press with no problems. A couple times I nearly drilled out the side of the blank but still managed to leave enough material to turn down to size. As I get more and more involved in pen turning, I'm sure I'll see the need for a vise.
Jerry

[Nancy Laird]

I wish that one of my children was still young enough to want to take an interest--unfortunately, even the grandkids are too far away.:(

Nancy

[Jonathon Spafford]

Wow! That is really awesome work and a great way to spend time with your kids! What finish are you using with these? It looks nice!