Thread: Q's on pen supplies

Don't know what you have locally in Brisbane outside of Carbatec but the following online shops have good products, service and are local to Australia...

Addictive
Carrolls
Gary Pye

I get most of my stuff from Addictive but use the others regularly.

Corbs

If you rule out carba-tec, then in brisbane I think like most of us you will have to depend on postage for your supplies, depends where you are in brisbane , Gpw in currumbin are good to deal with as is carrolls in melbourne ,and addictive in sydney, some searching on E-Bay will turn up plenty of kits as well as pen blanks at reasonable prices. There is also a supplier in randell st slacks creek if you are handy to that area. you will get plenty of leads in this forum hehe, Good fun with the pens ,once you get the addiction you will soon move up to other kits, and the humble slim line ,is not that easy to master ,no room for error ,so get them ok and all else follows. Cheers

Being in Canada I can't help you with Australian suppliers but these guys will ship to Australia, shipping costs we have to live with. http://www.penblanks.ca/index.php

I deal with them all the time and get great service.

Not sure why they told you to avoid Carbatec. Not that I've used them myself, but they seem to have as similar product line (probably not quite as extensive) to Carrols & GPW, although I suspect their prices are probably higher. I must admit I don't know much about what Carbatec offer, as personally I will take the more knowledgable sellers listed above over the Carbatec guys who can sometimes be like supermarket staff.

As far as I know, the options in Brisbane (where I formerly lived, and still work) are limited. Even the guy at Slacks Creek that Gawdelpus offered stocks mostly Carbatec stuff I think, unless John wants to correct me on that?

Out of the suppliers listed, I find GPW has the best prices and good service, although some have questioned the quality in some of their products (which are the same as some of the other suppliers here). I've had no problems.

If you're looking for the best service and the best quality, you can't go past Brett at Addictivepenkits. Prices are slightly higher than the others, although not always, but the Berea kits he sells are great quality, and he provides the best service of anyone I've ever met.

There are a couple of other online suppliers. Sorry I don't have the actual web address, but there is Australianwoodcraft and 043Turning or something like that ( a seach should find them). I haven't used either and they are smaller suppliers of pen products from what I can see. They are on the forum sometimes. Plus, our own regular forum member Timberbits sells stuff on Ebay at great prices. I haven't tried any of his kits personally though so can't comment on the quality, but have seen others say they have been happy with them.

Just for the disclaimer, I have no association with any of these people, and everything stated is my opinion. Good luck with the selection process

Russell.

As well as all those have been mentioned there is also another forumite Timberbits, David will certainly look after you as well.

All the dealer are good and offer good service and competitive pricing.

NG give Woodturning Supplies at the Gap a ring, or try Gary Pye down the Gold Coast.

wow thanks you guys i didn't expect to get so much so fast

i went on addictive pen kits and have seen Gary Pye's and Jim Carrolls stock so i think ill have a good brows and order the stuff

i have another Q that i was wondering about .............can you use a pen blank that is a bowl (cuts end grain twice every revolution) and also can you use a skew to plane it? or would it catch and leave a bad finish?

thanks again for all your help when i get started ill post pics for you all to see

Patrick

Originally Posted by new_guy90

i have another Q that i was wondering about .............can you use a pen blank that is a bowl (cuts end grain twice every revolution) and also can you use a skew to plane it? or would it catch and leave a bad finish?

You can use anything that's the right shape and size, and you have the tools and skills to turn it (or process it any other way into the correct shape). But as you've said, it may catch & tear, or have an inconsistent finish.

I think the mantra around here is "try it, you never know". If it works, great! If it doesn't, you've learnt something new. I'm sure those in the know will provide more useful answers

Russell.

Originally Posted by new_guy90

would it catch and leave a bad finish?

Welcome to the world of pen making.

The one thing you will quickly learn about pen making is that it is all about sanding.

Lots of people will sand down to 12,000 grit to get a mirror finish.

Timberbits.

12,000 grit! note to self buy more sand paper

just looked GPW has a pen starter kit thats out of stock might get that when they get more

Originally Posted by new_guy90

12,000 grit! note to self buy more sand paper

just looked GPW has a pen starter kit thats out of stock might get that when they get more

Ahh, that's in Micromesh grades, which is differIt's equivalent to, umm - 2000? 4000? I forget. Search for micromesh, a chart somewhere.

Russell.

welcome to the world of penturning
Bret at addictive is good and sells starter kits, I actually got my starter kit from carbatec. Carrolls are nice to deal with as well
the sandpaperman (another Qlder I believe) sells the micromesh

hi,

I bought my initial stuff from Carbatec. I think the kits are Dayacom (not sure though...). Gary Pye and Carrols both seem to sell Dayacom, though with a broader range and better prices.

I normally by my pen stuff off Brett at Addictive (only 10 mins drive from work). He's sells great stuff (Berea) and as others have said, excellent service. highly recommended.

I ordered a whole bunch of stuff from Gary Pye and it arrived the next day - salt & pepper mills, spare tubes, etc. Service is very good.

Actually, just today I bought a bulk batch of Sierra kits from Timberbits. Great to deal with. I'm pretty sure that the kits are the chinese Rhizeng ones, which probably aren't as good as the others but they are cheaper ($5 per sierra kit, including free bushes and spare tubes). I got them for practice/giveaway pens.

I guess the only one I haven't tried is Carrolls so I can't comment. No doubt I'll order from them at some point when it seems that only they have something I'm after

cheers,
Dave

hey everyone i just want to thanks for all your help and advice

i decided it would be best to get a starter kit but only Carrolls and and GPW sell the kits (that i could find) GPW had sold out so ill be ordering from Carrolls
http://www.cws.au.com/cgi/index.cgi/..._id=1107452523
.............looks like a good kit is there anything else that you guys would recommend getting?

well hopefully ill be making pens soon and ill put pic's up for you all

happy turning

Patrick