Thread: First set of pens

A fair start on those pens and as you have already suggested practice makes perfect. I would suggest you keep working with a few more slimlines then the sierras then move onto the JRGents.

Thanks for the feedback, is there anything obvious you think I need to be working on? I have a few more slimline pen kits that I can use before moving onto other kits

well mate you've done it now, not only have you made three pens, your showing them off and asking for advice, welcome to pen turning....

you have made a good start, i would definitely keep that first one as a shed pen, i think we all have pens that resemble Frankenstein in one way shape or another

my advice for practicing is buy a bucket load of Siera tubes, they are about 60 cents each, and i reckon the siera is the easiest pen to turn where as the slims are about the hardest pen to turn outright

you can then turn some blanks, if they don't turn up OK then spin the wood off the tube on the lathe and start again, if they turn up great then pop them aside to assemble when you get a set of components, i have about 50 sieras turned and finished sitting on racks to one day get assembled, and all i have sitting there is 60 cents in tube costs

the biggest things to look out for is a flush fit at the component edges, a nice durable finish, friction polishes tend to wear off pretty quick but most of us start with them for ease.

i hope this helps

all the best

MIK

Originally Posted by MBUMIK

my advice for practicing is buy a bucket load of Siera tubes, they are about 60 cents each,

MIK

I also buy extra tubes but not a bucket full, but after reading you reason why Mik it makes a lot more sense to me and it is something I will be doing next time I place an order

Originally Posted by MBUMIK

and i reckon the siera is the easiest pen to turn where as the slims are about the hardest pen to turn outright

MIK

I was thinking the same thing,
There is definately more shapes and sizes that can be turned for a slimline pen then say a Sierra,
If you can get a nice shape and a nice flush fit for a slim line the Sierra will be a walk in the park after the first one or two,

play around with different finishes as well, and work out what works best for you,

Also as said above keep that first pen as a reminder of where you started and it will be something you will always look back on as the one that helped you get hooked,

Cheers Ben

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll be keeping that first pen like you said. I have only turned 5 or 6 and its already reminding me how I started. Imagine after a year or two. Good way to keep me grounded lol

I just had one spin off the tube last night. Trying to put to much of a taper to match the nib and boom it split and flipped off.

I am addicted to this style of turning. Now that I've got everything i need to keep going I'm pumping out at least one a day. Going to go back to garage to try my first CA finish.

Originally Posted by delbs

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll be keeping that first pen like you said. I have only turned 5 or 6 and its already reminding me how I started. Imagine after a year or two. Good way to keep me grounded lol

I just had one spin off the tube last night. Trying to put to much of a taper to match the nib and boom it split and flipped off.

I am addicted to this style of turning. Now that I've got everything i need to keep going I'm pumping out at least one a day. Going to go back to garage to try my first CA finish.

if you had one split and come off the tube then check to make sure the glue had full coverage, blank and tube, if you are using CA on wood its very hard to get the void filled completely

everyone will give you a different answer with 2 things in pen turning, glues and how to apply a CA finish, listen to everyone, try and do what works for you is the best and only answer

with gluing blanks i use CA only on resin and acrylic, for wood i use the yellow gorilla glue it doesn't seem to foam as much as most polyurethane glues

i hope this helps

MIK