Thread: Possible topics for beginners?

I have just gone through what you are going through now a couple of months ago and an all in one "FAQ" would have been so much easier such as tool angles and basic starter pen kits ,simple finishes ,sanding techniques,admittadly the information is in the forums when you know what to look for ,but most first timers have no idea what to look for to startoff. So a no frills barebones list of needs to get started sounds like a good Idea to me
see what the owners of the forum think it could be a sticky ,especially if it does not get commercial ,and better still if they don't have to do it lol.

Good idea .. one of the first things I'd do is make a list of the different pen style names that are actually the same pen kits. Sort of like a cross reference.. I know that I order ten packs of something called Big Samoan that most everyone else calls a Cigar Pen. And I'm sure there's other names.

I'm still not clear on the Gents, Jr. Gents, Jr Gent II 's .. and what the difference is..
and I know that those have other names, too.

I keep thinking that one of these days I'll do it .. and list tube sizes, bushing sizes etc.. but I just never seem to have the time to do it..

Originally Posted by NewLondon88

Good idea .. one of the first things I'd do is make a list of the different pen style names that are actually the same pen kits. Sort of like a cross reference.. I know that I order ten packs of something called Big Samoan that most everyone else calls a Cigar Pen. And I'm sure there's other names.

I'm still not clear on the Gents, Jr. Gents, Jr Gent II 's .. and what the difference is..
and I know that those have other names, too.

I keep thinking that one of these days I'll do it .. and list tube sizes, bushing sizes etc.. but I just never seem to have the time to do it..

That'd be great. How would you gather that info. I'm not ina position to do it firsthand, so a thread asking for feedback from you guys?

Russell.

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

Since I'm going through collecting info to start my pen turning, I was wondering if anyone thinks it's making some lists for other beginners to read when they come here.

Partly because I have wanted to do it for a while and partly because your other thread came along I have started writing a blog article about how to get started in pen making. When finished it will list three starter setups: the absolute barest essentials minimum setup, a decent mid range setup for those prepared to spend the money (not unlike what you are looking at currently), and finally a money is no object setup. It is taking longer than I intended to write because it really is one of those how long is a piece of string type subjects.

Originally Posted by Toasty

Partly because I have wanted to do it for a while and partly because your other thread came along I have started writing a blog article about how to get started in pen making.

Cool - let us know when it's done. I'll focus on the pen style list for now then, until we see what you've come up with. I'm swamped with Boomerang orders at the moment anyway, so I better get out & get sanding.

Russell.

Well done for your attempt to demistify the problems and real truths in starting to turn pens. I am impressed with the divisions, minimal, maximum, no expence spared, indeed this is the real answer I sought in all of my recommendations.

If I have a regret it is that my computer skills are minimal, this has precluded me from doing this myself however I offer my help if you pm me at any time or if you think I may be of assistance.

Regards Peter

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

Cool - let us know when it's done. I'll focus on the pen style list for now then, until we see what you've come up with.

OMG!

OK, for those of you who have been laughing your behinds off since reading this, you can stop now.

It appears there is virtually Z E R O consistency between suppliers, and even on a single suppliers site, about how to classify and describe pens. Apart from Addictive Pen Kits, which describes everything very well, all the other Aussie one's I've found so far are inconsistent in their descriptions, leave out vital information such as mandrel/drill size/bushings required for their pens, and everyone is hopeless at stating what refills are required.

There must be some unwritten assumptions I'm missing that must be obvious to those in the know. For beginners, I can see there must be lots of buying and returning/more buying/querying/swearing before the end result is achieved.

So it appears, apart from the Slimlines & similar, it's really just a matter of finding one you think looks nice to add to your line, then being locked into that supplier to get parts, until you can physically see the bits & maybe match them to other ones you already have. Does that sound about right?

Maybe the US sites are more mature in this respect, but the falling Aussie $$, and my time constraints will preclude doing a detailed analysis of their offerings, so I'll fall back to the tried & true method of asking you guys which is best

hoepfully I'll be able to make some sense out of the info I've gathered so far and present something suitable back to the group, but for now, this part of my little project goes on hold until it all becomes a bit more clear.

Russell.

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

So it appears, apart from the Slimlines & similar, it's really just a matter of finding one you think looks nice to add to your line, then being locked into that supplier to get parts, until you can physically see the bits & maybe match them to other ones you already have. Does that sound about right?

Mate you got it in one, you basically have to suck it and see. I've found about four different pen kit manufactuers so far and trying to find the difference really is a matter of ordering and seeing what you like. For eg I have a box for of kits from Craft Supplies USA that I am very keen on seeing the finished priduct for, but until I get a headstock back I am reduced to carressing the kits and posting on the forum *sigh*

Originally Posted by Toasty

For eg I have a box for of kits from Craft Supplies USA that I am very keen on seeing the finished priduct for, but until I get a headstock back I am reduced to carressing the kits and posting on the forum *sigh*

ROFLMAO I can just imagine it

Seems a rather expensive and "reinvent the wheel" method though. Please don't tell my wife or my pen turning career will be over before it starts

Russell.

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

ROFLMAO I can just imagine it

Seems a rather expensive and "reinvent the wheel" method though. Please don't tell my wife or my pen turning career will be over before it starts
Russell.

This is where the Ubeaut forum saves the day.

See .. once you've BOUGHT the kits, your wife wouldn't really mind a cultural exchange .. where you might send out a few bits of wood to other turners in exchange for their bits of wood or pen kits on the other side of the globe.
After all, it's only postage.

And I've never seen anyone here ask about the currency exchange rates before packing up a surprise package for a swap ..

But you're right about the kits. This is one of the reasons I wanted to try to sort it out .. and one of the reasons I gave it up.

Most of us just find kits we like either by seeing them up close (stores, shows etc) or by seeing the pictures in this forum. Information is freely given in here and people share their suppliers and experiences. That's one of the ways we pick up new kit styles to add to our own inventories. I don't think I would have done another Euro until I saw the 8mm version in here and someone told me where to find them..

Speaking of pen swaps .. are we due again soon?

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

Hey all,






I did find a similar list to this at the Pen Shop site, but whether it's current or valid for Australia, I don't know. it certainly didn;t have all types I've seen already.


Thanks. Russell.

Do you know the link to the list on the Pen Shop?
I looked but couldent find it.
Thanks

Originally Posted by wm460

Do you know the link to the list on the Pen Shop?
I looked but couldent find it.
Thanks

It's actually a PDF document - here's the direct link

http://www.thepenshop.net/bushings.pdf

Russell.