My first attempts at pens

**michael_m** · 3rd November 2012, 08:10 PM

Well, since getting a lathe, I've made tool handles, tops, bowls and vases, so it was only a matter of time I guess until I had a go at making a pen.

These are the first (and only) pens I've had a go at. The one on the left I made at a try-and-learn tutorial at the Working with Wood show, with Giulio Marcolomo. I thoroughly enjoyed it (he was an excellent tutor) and promptly went out and spent too much money at Carroll's and the UBeaut stand getting the things that I needed to make pens at home.

The pen on the right is my first solo attempt at a pen. It is made with some leftover blackwood from a sewing box I have been making recently. It took about an hour and a half of turning/sanding/finishing time (but that included making the wooden pads to turn the lathe into a pen press).

I'm not sure of the shape of it - I was basically just playing around, but also wanted to have a grippy shape for both the pen end and the ipad stylus end too. In the end it is quite comfortable in my hand, but I don't know if it would suit a smaller hand.

pens1.jpg

**Ironwood** · 3rd November 2012, 08:19 PM

They look great for your first 2 Michael. Keep at it while your on a roll

**wheelinround** · 3rd November 2012, 08:22 PM

Quick someone throw the man a lifeline he'll soon be sliding down that slippery slope as many of us have done.

They look great I like the look of the Stylis pen

**edblysard** · 3rd November 2012, 09:35 PM

I think it is too late for that, he is hooked already!
And brave enought to think and work outside the box too!

**gawdelpus** · 3rd November 2012, 10:58 PM

Nothing wrong with that pair

you will soon get a feel for what looks and feels right for you, slims allow a large range of options , as long as you can match the fittings without a step so you get smooth transitions alls good

Time is not part of the equation ,enjoying the process is hehe, You don't have to turn them out like a cheap production shop ,other things will come along as you experiment and hone your skills ,there is no limit to possibilities in time , they always make a useful present as well and are well recieved ,cheers ~ John

**tdrumnut** · 3rd November 2012, 11:55 PM

Haha hooked another one - great first up effort but be warned it has only just begun
Cheers Rumnut

**artme** · 4th November 2012, 09:07 AM

Nice work there Michael!

You ar certainly well on the way to being addicted.

**Pariss** · 4th November 2012, 11:14 AM

Fantastic 1st attempt. Pen making can be almost addictive, so be warned ha ha

**PenTurner** · 4th November 2012, 01:51 PM

Good to see Michael, very well done, Amos

**plantagenon** · 4th November 2012, 06:52 PM

Well done Michael on your first attempt.

As John said, work on removing the steps between the centre band and the wood. Sandpaper will get it near perfect after you turn it. Slimlines are great for making any shape you want and a good cheap pen to play around with in the beginning. It takes a while but you will get there. Have a look on the site about the final squaring up of the CAed blanks just before assembly. Its easy to make a tool to do it and makes a huge difference. Dai Sensei made up on (shown on a post on here) which I copied. Itmakes all the difference. Good luck and keep at it.

**michael_m** · 4th November 2012, 07:49 PM

Thanks everyone for your kind words and advice. I very much enjoyed making them, and have already got the tubes of the next one drying in a blank.

I have one question; is it wrong that I dream of turning things? It's not so much that I'm hooked, but that I'm hooked, gaffed and flopping on the deck

.

**sturina** · 4th November 2012, 09:26 PM

Great looking pens! Certainly better than my first effort, and my second, third, fourth, fifth....... Keep up the good work.

**gawdelpus** · 4th November 2012, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by michael_m

Thanks everyone for your kind words and advice. I very much enjoyed making them, and have already got the tubes of the next one drying in a blank.

I have one question; is it wrong that I dream of turning things? It's not so much that I'm hooked, but that I'm hooked, gaffed and flopping on the deck

.

Better watch out , next you will have little bags of "aromatic" shavings under your pillow

But not to worry we all "Turn" in our sleep hehe cheers ~ John

**Rum Pig** · 5th November 2012, 09:20 AM

Welcome to the dark side

They look good to me for 1 & 2 pen. Much better than mine that's for sure.
Any questions just ask.............And someone else will answer if not I will give it ago

**SDB777** · 8th November 2012, 12:30 AM

Looks a LOT better then my first....yup, I still have it here. And nope, ain't nobody goona see that stick.

Keep them somewhere and look at it a year from now to see the 'improvements' you'll make over time.

Scott (mine should be a door stop) B

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