Lathes- This is the most important part. Without a lathe you won't be able to do any wood turning. There are different sizes of lathes, but if you are interested in turning larger items (bowls, vases, etc.) then I recommend buying the largest lathe you can afford. You can turn small items on a large lathe, but not large items on a small lathe. If you are only interested in smaller items, then the JET Mini lathe is a popular choice. PSI, Grizzly, and other companies make affordable lathes as well.
|
|
|
Turning Tools- In order to use a lathe, you will need special tools for turning wood. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but you will not need all these at first if you are only interested in making pens. Make sure to get tools made of HSS, and be sure to keep them sharp. Most people use a grinder to keep the edge sharp, but sanders and other methods work too. Some stores sell you them pre-sharpened so they will not need preparation for your first use. Some of the most popular tools for making basic pens are a 1/4" bowl gouge, a 1/2" oval skew gouge, and a 1/8" parting tool for adding beads to the design.
|
|
Pen Blanks- For the body of the pen you will need a pen blank. You can buy a variety of materials and colors. I like acrylic pens, but personally like the looks of exotic woods most. Dyed box elder burl pens are my favorites. Also, you can use scraps from your other woodworking projects to make your own free pen blanks. With practice you will be able to make some awesome segmented pen blanks! Check out these pictures for some ideas of the possible pen blanks you could use.
|
|
|
Pen Kits- In order to change the wood into a functional pen, you will need the appropriate pen kit. There are many styles of pens to choose from. The pen kits contain the hardware, ink, and everything else you need to make the pen. You can buy products to help assemble the kits, but you can press them into place for free too.
|
|
Mandrel and Bushings- You will need a mandrel to make a pen. This is basically a rod that extends from one side of the lathe to other and is securely in place. The pen blanks are fastened on to the mandrel. You put the bushings for your pen kit on the mandrel and turn the wood down to make a perfect fit.
|
|
|
Finishing Supplies- You will want to put a finish on the pen to make it more durable and professional looking. There are a variety of products and applications. For a simple finish, rub on Shellawax, HUT, or a similar friction polish product. Alternatively you can do the popular CA/BLO method for a mirror like finish. Experiment until you find a method/appearance you like. I would also highly recommend MicroMesh sandpaper. It has grits up to 12000 and can make your pen ultra shiny!
|
|
______________________________________________________________________
Just Some Of The Pen Kits To Try
|
|
_______________________________________________________________________
|
If you want to look at tools and materials even more, then Rockler has a FREE newsletter you can sign up for. It has over 150 pages of information on their products, including the penturning materials. It is free and shipped right to your house, so grab a copy anytime.
|
|
