Learning to Turn again!

**PenTurner** · 18th November 2015, 05:06 PM

For all that know me, thank you for your words of encouragement, for those who are new , hope to be a friend.
Slowly, after moving and recovering from illness, I am trying to try making some pens again; to ALL Kit suppliers, I haven't ordered from anyone the past two years, and like Neil, have MANY kits in stock! so if you haven't heard from me it is not because you are forgotten.
Well, now it is a TINY little room that holds the lathe, tools and pen blanks, you can't swing a cat in it!; I had to get rid of much of my beloved machinery and how I miss them.
1. Select pen Blanks---now where are they??? oh! OH! the ones I want I gave away!!! ahhh!!!
2. Find the kits- not bad, I found them.
3. Cut the blanks, NO Bandsaw! had to get rid of it, finally find a hacksaw; with what strength I have it became hard work.
4. Drill the blanks, I used to use the precision MILLING machine, it had the depth and also adjustment to get it dead centre, No Milling machine, did not want to start searching for Lathe fittings, so used the cheap drill press from Bunnings, not enough depth and had to use grips to hold the pen holding plate in position. Had to adjust height of blank 3/4 way through drilling.
5. Put in the tubes, just as messy as ever, find plastic gloves for next time.
6. Trim the blanks, had a beautiful Linisher(Belt Sander), set up to do that, not now though, so use the trimmers that are readily available, because of experience, chose the 4 blade for deeper finishes and 6 blade for finer finishes and acrylic.
It helped that I had the inserts that Big Shed made for me, kept the heads square.
That is all I am up to, almost all things I gave away I have NEEDED and has caused multiple trips to Bunnings!!! However, i did not know if I would make it (that is be alive), so wanted others to be blessed.
7. I WILL post pictures in near future, this has made me appreciate even more the tools that I do have.
Amos

**Ironwood** · 18th November 2015, 05:26 PM

Amos, it is very good to hear you are back at it my friend !!!
I know you will prevail over the basic tool kit and be producing beautiful pens once again.
It sounds like you are in good spirits, and you haven't lost your sense of humour

Welcome back.

**maddog 62** · 18th November 2015, 10:26 PM

welcome back amos
back to basics isnt that bad look on the bright side now you have an excuse to buy shed toys
cheers tony

**Treecycle** · 18th November 2015, 10:30 PM

Hi Amos, you say you wanted others to be blessed with your tools and equipment, well all I can say is that we are blessed to have you back. It is fantastic news that you are at a point where you are able to get back into a workshop of sorts and put some of your great skills to work.
I hope this is the start of a new beginning for you and your family, and it will only be onwards and upwards from here. May we see you on here regularly.

**Allan at Wallan** · 19th November 2015, 09:09 AM

Good to see you are back at the front Amos.
Hope you steadily improve and show your colours again.

Allan

**PenTurner** · 19th November 2015, 09:42 PM

Step 8. Turned down the blank, used coarse sandpaper 1st to take corners off the blank, then used gouge 32mm! This first photo is about 1/2 way turned, natural cracks appear in the blank.

Step 9. Put some fine sawdust in cracks and applied a coat of thin CA.

Step 10. Turned down with some coarse sandpaper, some scratches from the sandpaper showing, but left enough on the blank to fine sand the scratches out and leave smooth.

Step 11. Fine sanded the scratches and applied thin CA.

Step 12. Put aside blank and wait 24 hours for CA to fully harden, then will come the application finishing off.

PS Can someone tell me where I put the 32mm Gouge, the new one I had that has never been used!!!!??? lost in the move!

the UP side, while looking for the gouge I found my digital verniers.

Amos

PS, a couple of turners have PM'd me with offers of practical help, thank you for the offers, much appreciated. Amos

**Sawdust Maker** · 19th November 2015, 09:54 PM

cool

the master is back!

lovely to see you at it again!

**Treecycle** · 19th November 2015, 10:17 PM

You haven't missed a beat, only your tools

Did you move up north as you were contemplating?

**coffenup** · 19th November 2015, 10:43 PM

good to see you back mate
regards Michael

**dai sensei** · 19th November 2015, 11:40 PM

Great to see you back Amos

I thought you were moving to far north Qld?

Dam it, I just got rid of all those blanks and stuff of John's, and there were heaps of yours I had passed on

. I could have just given them back to you

Let me know if you need some new blanks to get you going again, I'm sure I have some spare for you

**Les in Red Deer** · 20th November 2015, 02:05 AM

Welcome back Amos.
Looks like you still have it.

Les

**Dalboy** · 20th November 2015, 04:20 AM

I remember the name, so welcome back and glad that you are still here to be able to continue this great hobby. Take it easy you soon will be back into the swing of things. I don't make that many pens as I spend more time making toys(which is where you will find me most of the time)

**Rum Pig** · 20th November 2015, 08:28 AM

Welcome back Amos.
I also have had a few years absent but back on the horse now but unlike you it was not due to an illness.
I hope you are on the mend now from whatever was wrong with you.
I know you have given so much to this hobby (obsession) so if you need anything please feel free to ask.

**wheelinround** · 20th November 2015, 09:09 AM

Hi Amos this is good news as aid previously the Master is back!!

This situation of working at basic or beginner level will not only strengthen your mind but physically as well help rebuild those muscles.

Drilling why not use the lathe holding the blank in chuck jaws as it will give you the depth required slow and steady on the speed tho with draw often to clear flutes. Leave blanks a little larger I found best gives plenty of meat to grip and stops the chuck crushing so much. Do not over tighten chuck either or it will crack the blank when chuck is over tightened. I use long nose jaws.

If your short on timber blanks let me know can send some down.

Ray

**Big Shed** · 20th November 2015, 09:19 AM

Amos, great to see you back in the saddle

As wheelin said, try drilling the blanks o the lathe, I seem to remember that at one stage you bought one of the McJing 2 jaw pen chucks like this one

https://mcjing.com.au/Static/Images/CSCPENCHK.jpg

I have one of these and it is now my "go to" chuck for drilling pen blanks on the lathe.

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