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Penturning

Favorite pens and where do you buy them?
Author Last Post
11/9/2022 4:11 PM

Thanks Bob!
11/9/2022 12:27 PM

Beth,

I have been turning pens for a long time and the best advice I can offer is to find two or three styles that you like the best and that are good sellers. The ones I make most are the Sierra style for a good every day use pen, the Comfort style, a little bigger than the regular slimline and for a good office pen or gentlemen's pen, I like the Baron or Jr. series of pen kits. I buy most of my kits from Bear Tooth Woods and Turners Warehouse, good people to work with.


Bobby McCarley
11/9/2022 12:29 AM

Thanks Kevin! I will check into the things you suggested.
11/9/2022 12:24 AM

Thanks Norman for sharing your expertise. Much appreciated.
11/8/2022 1:57 PM

ooooooh.....penturning!! Welcome to the addiction! lol..


You are in luck in many ways, there are a number of exceptionally good pen turners in the club as well as in the hobby that are happy to share their ideas and interests. I've been turning pens for most of the time I have been using a lathe, starting with the basics and progressing through the hobby to advanced bespoke pen making. Trial and error will drive your quest, as well as your advancing skills that just push you to try something newer and more challenging!


There are lots of options in pen kits, inks, finishes, tooling, and materials that you will work your way through. I started with Slimline ballpoints with wood blanks, progressed to acrylic blanks, then moved forward to more advanced kits using multiple different materials including roller balls, gel pens, and now fountain pens. I am now at the point that I cast my own blanks, and make my own components from scratch (with the exception of the fountain pen nib and converter pump). I don't regret any of it.


My best advice - learn, read, watch videos and do some practicing before you buy a thing. Mark Dreyer as well as our own member Barry Gross have excellent YouTubes out there showing many techniques and methods. I recommend both highly. Mark has a 10 part series that address a number of different techniques and approaches to pens that is excellent.


You will learn different chucking methods (mandrel vs between centers), materials (poly vs acrylic vs wood vs lots of other stuff), finishes (oil vs lacquer vs GluBoost vs friction polish vs lots of other stuff), ink distribution methods (roller vs nib), inks, turning shapes, and on and on. Try a little of everything if you can - try not to do one thing only until you get a technique refined.


As for supplies - lower cost for kit pens is Penn State Industries (PSI). Higher quality and cost is Berea and Dayacomm (carried by a number of resellers like Craft Supply and Exotic Blanks). I would stay away from Woodcraft or Rockler, as they change styles frequently and it becomes harder to get parts for them if you need it unless they are sourced from Berea or Dayacomm.


Good suppliers to look at - Exotic Blanks, Penn State, Craft Supply, Turners Warehouse, Arizona Silhouette, and a few like them


Good sources for info - International Association of Penturners (IAP), You Tube (Mark Dreyer is my favorite), FaceBook Pens, Turning, and Learning page. there are lots of other forums on Facebook....


Have fun with this! I am happy to help if you need info or have questions.....


Kevin
11/8/2022 12:03 PM
Beth,

Next up is the Penn State Gatsby or Berea Sierra. They are dongle barrel good quality mechanism.
There is too much to say about them. I have been making pens for many, Many years and have about 50 - 60 different wood on hand at att times. Then you get into stabilized or not. I'd love to speak with you at tonight's meeting. 
Be careful because pen making is addictive and there are many who would like to sell things you don't need.
My best advice:
1 Don't try to make too many different styles.
2 Don't buy big collections of different woods.
3 Learn to put on the one finish which works best and looks best for you.
4 Develope a collaborative with other pen Turners who can tell you their sources and techniques.
5 Barry Gross is a club member and accessible on YouTube or by phone. 

Hope this helps. I'll see you tonight. 

Norman 



Sent from my Galaxy


Ok I am now turning pens. I have turned the slim line pens from Rockler, but I am now looking to turn more. What are your favorite pens and where do you buy them? Do you buy blanks or make them? Acrylic or wood? I turned one Acrylic, but didn't enjoy it. Thanks. I want to make more before Christmas.
11/8/2022 11:37 AM

Ok I am now turning pens. I have turned the slim line pens from Rockler, but I am now looking to turn more. What are your favorite pens and where do you buy them? Do you buy blanks or make them? Acrylic or wood? I turned one Acrylic, but didn't enjoy it. Thanks. I want to make more before Christmas.
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