Thread: pen supplies....

Try CWS or Gary Pye, not to sure if Jim will be there but Gary should be.

Another one is APK but I think he can't make it.

We will be there, have started packing the trailer and head of on sunday.
Stand 76.

G'day M

At the expo there will be a few different suppliers. As Dj said there is Addictive Pen Kits, even though he can't make the show, follow the link Dj provided, he has high quality kits from Berea, there is Carroll's who will be at the show, Gary Pye is always there along with Timbecon and Carb-a-tec. My suggestion would be see who is will to do the best deal for what you need to start up. A lot of suppliers carry the same sort of kit, some do not have the same quality. It is all a learning curve and that is why the ones that have started the journey into this addiction will help when you need. Good luck and enjoy the expo.
Darren

Sorry to those who would like to see us at the show but we can't make this years Brisbane Show I will be in hospital after a minor operation. I asked the doctor while I was in the operating theatre if could remove my head from my butt too but he said he couldn't..........bugger We are going to be in Sydney though and hopefully Melbourne later in the year, it would be nice to meet some of you guys.

Regards
Froggie
Addictive Pen Kits

M

Forgot to ask what size are the pen blanks, 1/2", 5/8" or 3/4"? The 1/2" will be good for slim lines and you can just squeeze a European style pen out of one. 3/4" pen blanks are the best size for pens like Barons, Chuchills, Cigars and generally if they are around 5 - 5 1/2" in length you can get 2 Sierra pen blanks from them. The Atlas, Patriot and Polaris, it is the same pen just has 3 different names, depends on where you get it from. You will get one pen blank from a full size pen blank and have enough for a key ring.
At the expo go to Brads Burls he will have some Red and Brown Mallee Burl Blanks as well as some other good stuff.
darren

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like I will have some fun at the show!

The blanks will be all different sizes - some big some small - but in the end I can't see myself just making a couple of pens - the deal with SWMBO was I could buy a new lathe if I made pens for all the family for christmas - thats 29 pens over the next 6 months - I think I'll have some fun

So I think I'll be going to the show looking for the right deal - and I already have a few must see stands on the day!

Thanks again,

M

M what happens if the missus changes her mind saying that you don't need a new lathe now that we all have pens?

G'day Mobrien,
First off, get her opinion on which piece of wood is the most attractive. Set that one aside. Practice on a few that will be for somebody else. Do not show these to her. When you get really comfortable with turning them and finishing them, then do the one she picked out. Once that masterpiece is completed, tell her that pen is for her.
Secondly, 29 pens? What are you going to do the following week? Pen turning is sooooo addictive, it ain't funny. Being able to share with the good folk here and learn from some of these pros is invaluable.
Third, and probably most important.....have fun. And if you are able to sell a few to keep yourself in kits and wood.....BONUS!

Cheers,

Rick

One quick question: how are you going to drill the blank?

Do you have a drill-press? Does it have a cross-slide vice? Or do you plan on drilling the blank on the lathe? In which case, do you have a jacob's chuck for the tailstock, to hold the drill bit? Do you have pin jaws to hold the blank?

There's no fun in getting your newly acquired possessions home from the show, only to discover you have to wait a while longer for more kit before you can have a play... Been there, done that, got the bite-marks in tool handles to prove it.

And don't forget to post pix!

tas: well its too late - its bought and paid for! Just waiting for it to get here. And as it is being shipped from TAS to BRIS , there is no return. Bugger

Skew: What? You mean I need to buy a drill press? A cross slide vice? A new jacobs chuck? Some new jaws for the four jaw? And there is a woodworking show coming up? Did you say I can get all these things there? But I only wanted to make little bowls and rolling pins. Its all her fault! She wanted the pens!

Seriously though

I have a drill press and a cross slide vice - I'll just make a jig up to drill em.

BUt if I happen to see a new full size (mine is only bench) drill press at the show, well I could be tempted. ALong with a dust extraction system and a.....

(ad lib and fade)

M

M

Even better you will need a Vicmarc chuck and a set of pin jaws so that you can drill the pen blanks on the lathe and then you have a chuck to hold the bowls that you want to make. To save changing the the jaws buy 2 chucks
Darren

Mo,
For the longest time, I only had a benchtop drill press. I finally got a great deal on a floor demo big drill press. The thing I found most useful about it (beyond the sheer power of it) is the depth range. It has a 3 inch depth. My old one was only two, which was a pain the the behind.


Rick