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Posted: 10/7/2021 6:19:41 PM EDT
[#1]
 Great hobby. An hour in the garage and I have a finished product. I'm not very good but I get better each time. Rockler has some videos and there are a ton on YouTube. |
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Posted: 10/7/2021 6:35:09 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Great hobby. An hour in the garage and I have a finished product. I'm not very good but I get better each time. Rockler has some videos and there are a ton on YouTube. my god, man, is there anything you don't do? And now you're Site STAFF too?? 
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Posted: 10/7/2021 6:37:39 PM EDT
[#3]
My cousin does and made us all one. He made me this one with a glass breaker on the end.
 Attached File |
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Posted: 10/7/2021 9:01:59 PM EDT
[#4]
I did a long time ago, when I have the space I want to start again. Great way to get into turning in general, I turned some neat bowls too before I stopped
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Posted: 10/7/2021 10:03:50 PM EDT
[#5]
A friend of mine makes pens, wine bottle stoppers and other stuff from wood and plastic. He makes a lot of "bullet" pens using spent 50 cal cases. Makes a nice desk pen since they are heavy and stand upright.
He goes to various craft shows and sells them and makes some decent side money with it. |
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Posted: 10/7/2021 10:42:35 PM EDT
[#6]
I made pens for a couple years after my back injury. Finding quality kits with good parts, quality plating and clear coat is difficult. I made some really nice pens, had my own style, but when people want to buy them and I don't like the quality of parts and they lack durability, I lost interest. I enjoyed creating, making them for sale spoiled it. I still make them occasionally for gifts.
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Posted: 10/8/2021 10:23:28 AM EDT
[#7]
I like doing bowls better than pens
You can make bowls on a mini or midi sized lathe, but obviously limited in diameter. |
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Posted: 10/8/2021 11:01:10 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I like doing bowls better than pens You can make bowls on a mini or midi sized lathe, but obviously limited in diameter. I haven't tackled bowls yet. I have made pens, gavels and a couple of cigar tubes. My smoking friends really like those. I do want to try some Christmas ornaments this year. |
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Posted: 10/8/2021 11:04:42 AM EDT
[#9]
There was a thread last week on pens... It looked like a couple members were spinning their own. Pretty cool...
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Posted: 10/9/2021 5:12:28 AM EDT
[#10]
Think I’ve made at least a thousand pens.
Check out Pen State Industries for some quality kits and supplies. |
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Posted: 10/9/2021 11:03:40 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My cousin does and made us all one. He made me this one with a glass breaker on the end. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/289319/PXL_20211007_223328465_jpg-2121731.JPG Shredded money. Love those blanks. The snake skin ones are neat too. Hard to find anymore. |
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Posted: 10/10/2021 12:53:48 AM EDT
[#12]
This thread is well timed. Found my own turning jig yesterday.
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Posted: 10/12/2021 9:26:11 AM EDT
[#13]
This place sells some nice pen blanks too
https://www.beartoothwoods.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22&1 I’ve got a few of the amalgam or crushed velvet blanks from them that turned out really nice for ice cream scoops. And if you’re going to turn these things and use CA/super glue to finish them (for the first time) - wear safety glasses/goggles or a shield. It will fling droplets of super glue all over. Also Woodpecker tools has a really nice (but not inexpensive) pen mill kit (drills and mandrels). They also have a line of nice carbide insert turning tools. Large medium and small tools. Small for pens https://www.woodpeck.com/turning-tools.html Buy once cry once as the saying goes. |
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Posted: 10/12/2021 9:35:46 AM EDT
[#14]
Snake skin blanks. They were never too common and I see less than ever for sale now. Probably threats from peta types?
There do appear to be some available from sellers on ebay, but no the dedicated turning on line stores. https://www.exoticblanks.com/Snakeskin-Pen-Blanks/?sortBy=translations.name&sortOrder=asc&mode=append Pretty neat looking copperhead ones there How to make your own snek skin blank tutorial http://content.penturners.org/library/pen_blanks/snakeskinblanks.pdf |
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Posted: 12/18/2021 2:11:27 AM EDT
[#15]
I fiddle around with them often. Most of mine have some sentimental meaning.
Here is a Cabo pen. Cholo cactus skeleton, blue resin and the white splices are key cards from the Zadun Resort where we stayed last time. If I can find a picture I’ll post a sister pen representing the category two hurricane we were in while we were there.  Attached File |
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Posted: 12/18/2021 2:14:44 AM EDT
[#16]
These are from visits to various Hawaiian islands. All the splices are key cards from resorts. The wood is Koa, native to Hawaii, in fact brought home from a visit on the Big Island. In order, Waikiki sunset, Waikiki water, Maui water, Big Island Volcanoes/Lava.
Disregard the bolt action, it was for a friend.  Attached File |
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Posted: 12/18/2021 12:33:42 PM EDT
[#17]
I have the little lathe Penn state industries makes. I had never used a lathe before and was making pens in no time. Love that lathe as i can take it outside and not worry about cleanup.
https://www.pennstateind.com/store/PENPAL.html |
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Posted: 12/18/2021 1:29:15 PM EDT
[#18]
I didn't even know this was a thing. That is some mighty fine work there.
I used to work as a wood modelmaker / fixture builder in Metro Detroit. |
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Posted: 12/20/2021 8:04:48 AM EDT
[#19]
I see myself getting into this after I retire. maybe a pepper mill too.
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Posted: 12/22/2021 12:33:16 PM EDT
[#20]
I've done hundreds of pens at this point. There are some really good quality hardware kits out there now too including one company that's making solid stainless hardware in the U.S.
 Attached File1970's vintage International Paper made Micarta.  Attached FileGold and rhodium fountain in red and yellow dyed maple burl. This is one of two I made that went to members of the royal family of Bahrain. |
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Posted: 12/22/2021 12:40:43 PM EDT
[#21]
^ I love the knurling!
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Posted: 12/22/2021 12:47:14 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: ^ I love the knurling! My everyday pen is same hardware but in stainless and turned from some of the same micarta. I'd bet you could drive it through a car door.
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Posted: 12/22/2021 8:40:34 PM EDT
[#23]
I was just coming to post the same question. My wife works at a bank and wants a really nice pen for work. So I thought why not make one? Where is a good place to buy parts or a kit? That shredded money blank would be cool for her. Tell me where to start fellas
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Posted: 12/22/2021 9:55:24 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I was just coming to post the same question. My wife works at a bank and wants a really nice pen for work. So I thought why not make one? Where is a good place to buy parts or a kit? That shredded money blank would be cool for her. Tell me where to start fellas Exotic Blanks is my go to for supplies. For a click top pen, I'd go with the kits that are using the all metal Schmidt actions. Kits make by Dayacom and Berea Hardwoods are usual good quality too. McKenzie Penworks is making solid stainless twist pen kits in the U.S. |
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Posted: 12/22/2021 11:19:59 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've done hundreds of pens at this point. There are some really good quality hardware kits out there now too including one company that's making solid stainless hardware in the U.S. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/23848/BrassMicartaEDC1_jpg-2212834.JPG 1970's vintage International Paper made Micarta. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/23848/20201107_120408_jpg-2212835.JPG Gold and rhodium fountain in red and yellow dyed maple burl. This is one of two I made that went to members of the royal family of Bahrain. Nice work. I made a few of those click pens for a neighbor to give out as Christmas presents. That little black c-clip (or whatever type of clip it is) on the end cap is a pain to find if it falls off. I had to buy a new kit just to get a replacement black c-clip. I think Penn State calls them EDC Click Pens. |
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Posted: 12/22/2021 11:27:54 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I was just coming to post the same question. My wife works at a bank and wants a really nice pen for work. So I thought why not make one? Where is a good place to buy parts or a kit? That shredded money blank would be cool for her. Tell me where to start fellas Penn State Industries, along with those posted by zombievt are what I use. Penn State for kits and finishing stuff, Exotic is good for unique blanks and higher end kits. The nice thing about Penn State is they send out a quarterly magazine/catalog to browse through. It will usually result in something I just have to have. |
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Posted: 12/23/2021 7:25:00 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I was just coming to post the same question. My wife works at a bank and wants a really nice pen for work. So I thought why not make one? Where is a good place to buy parts or a kit? That shredded money blank would be cool for her. Tell me where to start fellas The shredded cash blanks were fairly common maybe ten years ago. You could find them in woodcraft stores Now looks like Etsy and a maybe a handful of smaller suppliers. The bigger ones don’t list any. I have never bought anything from this store, so don’t know how their service is https://hobblecreekcraftsman.com/products/shredded-cash-pen-blanks-made-from-genuine-shredded-u-s-currency-cast-in-premium |
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Posted: 12/23/2021 11:43:46 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The shredded cash blanks were fairly common maybe ten years ago. You could find them in woodcraft stores Now looks like Etsy and a maybe a handful of smaller suppliers. The bigger ones don’t list any. I have never bought anything from this store, so don’t know how their service is https://hobblecreekcraftsman.com/products/shredded-cash-pen-blanks-made-from-genuine-shredded-u-s-currency-cast-in-premium https://www.exoticblanks.com/frozen-assets-rhino-plastic-pen-blanks.html |
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Posted: 1/2/2022 11:02:10 AM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This thread is well timed. Found my own turning jig yesterday. What is this turning jig your talking about? |
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Posted: 1/2/2022 11:58:10 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: @K1rodeoboater What is this turning jig your talking about? |
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Posted: 1/22/2022 11:38:35 PM EDT
[#31]
I just used this picture for another thread, but it reminded me to post it here. It is white oak taken off the USS Constitution. I got it during a visit in 2015, but it was taken off during the 1996 restoration.
 Attached File |
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Posted: 1/22/2022 11:56:28 PM EDT
[#32]
 Attached FileOil rubbed bronze rollerball i turned using wood recovered from the cabin where Evil Dead II was shot. |
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Posted: 1/23/2022 11:32:01 AM EDT
[#33]
Quoted: I just used this picture for another thread, but it reminded me to post it here. It is white oak taken off the USS Constitution. I got it during a visit in 2015, but it was taken off during the 1996 restoration. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/188107/D39F5384-A04A-4259-A6D0-53965A397E38_jpe-2250943.JPG Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/23848/117229107_607649023474157_85462636434244-2250976.JPG Oil rubbed bronze rollerball i turned using wood recovered from the cabin where Evil Dead II was shot. |
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Posted: 1/23/2022 12:53:33 PM EDT
[#34]
Y’all stop this stuff! I’ve got enough expensive hobbies and still not enough time.
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Posted: 1/23/2022 5:15:54 PM EDT
[#35]
Yep, got into it as a little hobby a while ago. Don’t do it as much as I used to but people really like getting them as gifts.
Made these a few months ago out of Bethlehem olive wood (gift for Mom).  Attached File |
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Posted: 1/24/2022 12:30:00 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/23848/117229107_607649023474157_85462636434244-2250976.JPG Oil rubbed bronze rollerball i turned using wood recovered from the cabin where Evil Dead II was shot. Nice. I like the themed nexus between the kit and the wood, too. |
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Posted: 8/21/2022 8:16:34 AM EDT
[#37]
Well I’m going to order some stuff and try and make a couple. Even have some antler I might try and use
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Posted: 8/21/2022 8:54:08 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Well I’m going to order some stuff and try and make a couple. Even have some antler I might try and use Antler is stinky stuff to turn. Enjoy. |
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Posted: 8/21/2022 9:21:55 AM EDT
[#39]
I probably made over a dozen pens, not many, but I have the intention to get back into turning again.
Really like the cigar pens from woodcraft. Tried my hand at some small bowls from roots of some dug up hedges. Wood was a mix of hard and soft, turned it into firewood. I'd like to try vacuuming resin into wood for stability, see how that works. |
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Posted: 8/21/2022 10:02:18 AM EDT
[#40]
Some good companies referenced - my recommendation is to get good quality plating for the kit that will last.
Cheap gold plating will wear right thru. Now, less expensive chrome seems to last a bit. Each company makes cheap kits that might not be the best one to buy. For higher end plating TN gold / TN Black if you want a good finish that will last. For pen turning group, look at the IAP forums. I sort of recommend this style, I like the feel in my hand and it seems to be an easier kit than slim line. Add https://www.arizonasilhouette.com/category/baron-pen-kits.html Wow, price of pen kits have more than doubled since the last time I bought any... Right now I am working on cleaning up my lathe work area in the garage. I pretty much have given 100% of my pens away, so I thought this winter I might make a few. So equipment: Lathe + tools Drill press + drill bits Pen Mill grinder for tools |
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Posted: 8/21/2022 12:42:18 PM EDT
[#41]
I've been using bourbon barrel wood.
  
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