Gear needed for Turning Pens?

[Gilbert Vega]

I just purchased a Delta midi lathe and the Delta 8 piece turning tools. Among other things, I want to try pen turning. Since I'm new to wood turning, is there a book or site that tells what equpment is needed for pen turning besides what I already have? Thanks.

[Dick Parr]

You might want to try Penn State they have a lot of info on the web site.

http://www.pennstateind.com/

[Rod Torgeson]

Gilbert... Try this link http://www.pennstateind.com/catalog/p/018.htm it will give you a pretty good idea of what is needed. Hope this helps. Rod in Appleton, WA

[Kent Cori]

Gilbert,

Another great source of pen making equipment and kits is Berea Hardwoods, one of our Freedom Pens sponsors. Their site is at:

http://www.bereahardwoods.com/

They have several starter kits available and will provide real-time advice on what to buy if you just give them a call.

Yet another source of equipment, pen kits (and more) and wood blanks is Craft Supplies USA. They are also a Freedom Pens sponsor. Their site is:

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/

Both are excellent companies that make top notch equipment and kits.

[Julie Wright]

There are many sites out there for pen turning help too.

http://www.penturners.org/ New Pen turning site

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/penturners/ lots of folks turning really neat pens.

www.pocwoodworking.com Pens Of Color sells PSI stuff and prices are great.

What tools do I need to start turning pens?

Free catalogs from: Crafts Supplies USA, Berea, HUT Products, Penn State Industries. These are packed full of information, ideas and the products and tools you will need.

Drill Press with longest travel you can get. (For drilling pen blanks, for using a barrel trimmer, and can also be used as a pen press for assembling pens.) At least 3 1/4” stroke is suggested.

Saw (to cut pen blanks in half or to cut your own) A band saw is generally the best type. You can also use a small miter box with a hand saw or Japanese pull saw.

Pen Mill (Barrel Trimmer) Super important! This is for squaring the ends of the wood to the brass tube inside. Your pen will not fit together properly if you do not square the ends of the barrels before turning. I use mine in my drill press. An alternative method uses a belt or disk sander, but that's a costlier solution unless you already have one.

Mandrels (small for Cross type pens, large for bigger styles. Get “pro” models that fit into a morse taper or into a “drill driver” such as Berea's.

Bushings for the type of pen kits you want to turn. (These are available from the pen hardware suppliers for the hardware they sell.) Do not assume that similar bushings from another manufacturer will work – although they may

Turning tools - 1/2 and/or 1/4 inch gouge, 1/2 inch chisel, Parting tool

Grinder for sharpening tools. A cheap one will do to start with), or a disk sander attachment for your lathe, or disk sander and squaring jig. Turning tools need to be sharpened frequently.

Finger nail jig for your grinder (It's very difficult to get the right angle on gouges without a jig.)

CA glue (FLEXIBLE thicker type for gluing in brass tubes, thin type for sealing and repairs). Epoxy too.

Sandpaper 150 to 1000 grit and MicroMesh to at least 3600 (up to 12000 is better.)

Pen hardware kits. Many people start with 7mm slimline kits, then progress to European styles, and others.

Drill bits - the sizes needed for the type of pen kits you are making. (7mm for slimline, etc.) 'Bullet Bits' are probably the best, standard twist drills the worst.

A way to hold your blanks while drilling. Drill Center Vise (specifically for pen blanks, worth the money) or wood hand screw or other vice can all be used.

Pen press, arbor press, or use a plastic or leather covered cylinder in your drill press, something to press pen parts together. Quick grip clamps can be used in a pinch but are more problematic.

Hut Crystal Coat polish or Myland's friction polish, Deft clear gloss spray, Renaissance Wax (on top of the other finishes), or other good pen finishing polish. Also, grain filler for open-grained woods and thin CA glue for porous materials.

Soft, lint-free rags (old sheets work best for me - Percale not flannel) for polishing

Pen disassembler (for undoing mistakes and rescuing your hardware.) You will need these!

Videos, Books, classes, on turning and pen making.

Here is a link to a post in penturners on a shopping list for a new penturner.