Thread: Starting from scratch

The very basics you need are:
A spindle gouge or chisel that that you feel comfortable with.
A pen mandrel
7mm drill for basic pen kits. Other sizes for all the other variations
Endmill for squaring up the ends after gluing in the brass sleeve. This can also be done on a disc sander if necessary.
A live centre for the tailstock or a mandrel saver
Glue - either CA or a 2 part epoxy
Coarse sandpaper to roughen up the sleeves so the glue will stick properly
Some way of pressing the kits together. That could be the lathe tailstock, pedestal drill, vice, or a dedicated pen press.
These items will get a pen made but you will always find many other items down the track that you will want to make life easier, but not essential.
Remember when you glue the sleeves in the blanks that you need to get ALL the glue out that may have crept inside the brass sleeve, otherwise you will most likely crack your wood or resin when you press the components together.
The addiction takes hold very quickly so be careful.

Treecycle has pretty much nailed it as a starting point.

You may also need someway of sharping your turning chisels a bench grinder is these easeiest.

G'day
Progress has been made
I found a secondhand lathe in as new condition
A GPW Midi Lathe Variable Speed Inverter Drive


incl Axminster 8 low speed grinder
lots of chisels
Vicmark chuck
2 more sets of jaws
sanding gear
some pen making stuff
bench
drill chuck


Now for a few more questions
Most of the chisels incl. are big
What do you use on pens

which CA glue is best for finishing ?

Is CA glue or epoxy best for gluing tubes

I have been told to start with the 7mm slimline pens as they are easier

but I wish to move the the fatter pens as soon as possible
which ones are easiest for beginners ? and which to leave as too hard?



I also have to decide which way to use for blank drilling
and pressing , any hints ?

Mate,

PM me, tangoman, I live just south of you at Banora Point. You might like to pop down for a chat and a turning session.

Regards,
Cam

Originally Posted by snapper1

G'day
Progress has been made
I found a secondhand lathe in as new condition
A GPW Midi Lathe Variable Speed Inverter Drive


incl Axminster 8 low speed grinder
lots of chisels
Vicmark chuck
2 more sets of jaws
sanding gear
some pen making stuff
bench
drill chuck


Now for a few more questions
Most of the chisels incl. are big
What do you use on pens I use a 3/4" roughing gouge for the main work then change to a 1/2" skew chisel. You will need to practice with the skew

which CA glue is best for finishing ? Thin CA is best for finish

Is CA glue or epoxy best for gluing tubes Some use CA or there is Epoxy glue or even the gorilla glue

I have been told to start with the 7mm slimline pens as they are easier The slimline is what most start with in my view they are no harder than any other kit It is just that they are cheap to start with so if you mess up not a lot of money wasted.

but I wish to move the the fatter pens as soon as possible
which ones are easiest for beginners ? and which to leave as too hard?



I also have to decide which way to use for blank drilling Drilling can be done on the lathe as long as you have a good set of jaws that hold the blank central. If doing a two part pen the drill each half separately and drill from the centre outwards

and pressing , any hints ?

If I was you take Tangoman up on his offer there is nothing like a bit of hands on with someone who has done some turning.

I would offer but I am just a little too far away

Originally Posted by Tangoman

Mate,

PM me, tangoman, I live just south of you at Banora Point. You might like to pop down for a chat and a turning session.

Regards,
Cam

PM sent

Thanks for that info, I have now got those items you mention ;
one further thing I need to sort is a way of pressing them together , Would my drill press or lathe do the job ?

I have spent all I can for now so maybe later a pen press but for now need to try using what I have got

I press my pens together with the woodworking vice on my bench. I have also used a metalworking vice.
I think with a bit of thought you could use the tailstock on your lathe to press your pens together.

I have a GPW midi, it's a good lathe for pen turning, it should serve you well.

I would recommend two part epoxy for gluing in the tubes, give the CA a miss, it is prone to problems. I use the 15-30 minute epoxy, you can get it at a reasonable price from both GPW, and Timberbits, no doubt others sell it too.

Originally Posted by snapper1

Thanks for that info, I have now got those items you mention ; one further thing I need to sort is a way of pressing them together , Would my drill press or lathe do the job ? I have spent all I can for now so maybe later a pen press but for now need to try using what I have got

I used a drill press for years to press pen parts together ,but I do have an older type heavy duty ,it is easier to line up in a vertical plane than a vice ,also more control with the winder handle on a drill press cheers ~ John

As others have mention unless you are in a real hurry stay away from CA to glue in the brass tube. I use epoxy and leave it over night to cure. I was using the 5 minute one but if you have a fair amount of tubes to do then it is better for a longer work time.

As for finish I use wipe on poly and I leave it overnight before applying another coat. As you can guess it can take a while to complete 5 coats. During summer I might be able to put on two coats with about 12 hours between coats.

I take them inside the house to dry, much less dust.

As "Christos" has mentioned don't use CA for glue ups, more trouble than its worth.

l use the Polyurethane glue from the "green" shed - http://www.bunnings.com.au/sikabond-...sive-_p1660985

There is a bigger bottle, but l think shelf life is 6 months or so after opening, the great advantage is it expands as it cures - creating a nice tight bond, watch out it doesn't push out the brass tube as it cures/sets/expands.

Stevo