Turning Pens On A Lathe
Pen Turning On A Lathe: This site is about the art and craft of creating high-quality writing instruments using the lathe. This site contains pen turning tutorials, links, and info that both the beginning and advanced pen turner will find useful.
Photo courtesy of Ron McIntire
Welcome to Pen Turning!
Your New Favorite Hobby
This lens is all about the art and craft of creating high-quality writing instruments using the lathe. This lens contains all kinds of tutorials, links, and info that both the beginning and advanced penturner will find useful. Welcome to pen turning, your new favorite hobby!!
P.S. Don't forget your free catalogs:
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Hand Crafted Turned Pens
Getting Started: Info On Penturning
Links to Penturning Websites
Check out these sites to find out what pen turning is all about.
- Penturners Yahoo Group
- The ultimate source of information for any aspiring pen turner. The Penturners Group is a place to share information on pens, pen turning, other small turning, and whatever else strikes our fancy!!
- Penmakers' Guild Yahoo Group
- The Pen-Makers' Guild is a place for advanced pen makers to discuss their craft, in an environment not open to total newcomers. This group is a spin-off of the Penturners yahoo group. The guild was created for those who have graduated to a more advanced level in their pen making. The main purpose is to enhance everyone's enjoyment of the craft or art of pen making (whichever way you want to view it), and to advance the state of the art. This group is open for everyone to view, but only members can post. Check out their photo gallery for some real inspiration. These guys are real masters!
- International Association of Penturners
- This site has a discussion forum with a plethora of topics related to penturning. A great place to seek advice and share information.
- Ed's Penturning FAQ
- This website answers everything you ever wanted to know about penturning.
- Penturners FAQ
- A VERY thorough FAQ file produced by the members of the Yahoo Penturners Group. Everything is covered from how to get started in the hobbie to how to turn your hobby into a business by marketing and selling your finished pens.
- ThePenShop.net
- Penturning Forum for members to talk about turning handmade pens with lathes. Includes links to tutorials and other helpful information.
Basic 7mm "Slimline" Style Pen
Getting Started: What You Will Need
Like most worthwhile hobbies, penturning requires some level of investment in equipment, tools, supplies, and time. I can't help you find the time, but I can point you in the right direction for tools and supplies to get you started. The next two modules discuss the items you will need in order to start turning pens. Most people who have done some basic woodworking before will already have some of these tools. The rest will need to be purchased (I have provided some links to where these items can be purchased further down in this lens). Disclaimer: This is not an all-inclusive list. As with anything else, the more you do, the more you'll find that you "need". The items listed here are just the minimum you will need to get started turning basic pens.
American Style Pen
Getting Started: Required Tools & Supplies
At a minimum, you need these things to get started.
- Lathe - Obviously, you can't turn wood without a lathe. Many people who want to focus on turning only pens or other small projects will find that a "mini-lathe" is the perfect size. These lathes are smaller and less expensive than full-size lathes, and are perfect for small projects and people with limited shop space. Both Jet and Delta make quality "mini-lathes", and there are many other manufacturers as well.
- Turning Tools - Turning tools are also a necessity. Turning tools are chisels that have been specifically designed to be used with a lathe. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and metals. Make sure your turning tools are made of high speed steel (HSS). HSS tools hold their edges a lot longer and require less frequent sharpening. Many now come fully sharpened and are ready for immediate use right out of the box.
- Pen Mandrel - A mandrel is a thin rod that holds the wood blanks on the lathe during the turning process. One end of the mandrel is usually tapered to fit in the head stock of the lathe. The other end usually has an indentation to accept the point of the tail stock's center. Many times a mandrel will be included with your lathe at the time of purchase (mine was). If not, mandrels are relatively inexpensive ($10-$20) and can be purchased from any of the companies who sell turning tools, pen kits, and wood blanks. (See list below).
- Bushings - Small metal bushings slide onto the madrel and are seated on each end of the wood blank. The bushings serve two basic purposes. They hold blanks steady on the mandrel, and they also serve as a reference when turning. If you turn your wood to the same thickness as the bushing, everything should fit together cleanly and tightly when you assemble the pen. Different style pen kits require different size bushings. Bushings can sometimes be purchased as part of the pen kit itself (starter kits), but many times must be purchased separately. A set of bushings will typically run you several dollars, but they can be used to make many pens before they wear out and need to be replaced. Therefore, they are a relatively minor expense.
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Pen Kits
- All of the small metal pieces of the pen usually come in a kit that can be purchased from any of the retailers who sell woodturning supplies and tools (see list of suppliers below). The kit typically contains brass tubes which are inserted in the wood blank and house all of the other parts when assembled (think of the brass tube as the "backbone" of the pen), a nib (the hollow metal cone-shaped piece at the writing end of the pen), a spring (if required), a twist mechanisim (for extending and retracting the ink cartridge), an ink refill cartridge, a decorative center band (separates the bottom half of the pen from the top half), a pocket clip, and an end cap (finishes off the cap end of the pen and holds the pocket clip in place). Kits come in all shapes, sizes, and types of metals (gold-plated, titanium, chrome, baked enamel, etc.) depending on what style and type of pen you want to make. Most beginners start with the 7mm Slimline style pen (7mm refers to the size of the brass tube insert required for the kit). The slimline kits are relatively inexpensive, can be purchased in bulk, and are easy to turn and assemble. I have included on this page, images of several styles of penkits you can make. Check them out for examples of what a finished and assembled pen looks like.
- Turning Blanks - Blanks are bits of wood or other material that your pens are going to be made from. For your typical Slimline pen, the blanks are about a half inch square by about five and a half inches long. Blanks are cut to size, drilled, fitted with brass tubes, and then mounted on the lathe and turned to the desired shape to form the body of the pen. Just about any kind of wood can be used, as well as materials such as Corian (or other solid surface countertop materials), plastics, soft metals (such as aluminum), even clay. Blanks can be purchased from suppliers (prices vary depending on the species of wood), but the best blanks are the free ones that you find lying around your house, shop, and yard. Yes, you've finally found a use for all of those small chunks of scrap wood littering the floor of your woodshop!!!
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Other Misc. Required Items:
Sandpaper - various grits; for a really professional looking finish, consider investing in some Micromesh pads.
Glue - Cyanoacrylate glue (a.k.a. "CA" or "superglue") is common, as is slower setting polyurethane glue such as Gorilla Glue
Finish Materials - friction polish, buffing compounds, wax, etc.
European Style Pen
Getting Started: Optional Tools & Supplies
These items aren't required but are highly recommended.
- Drill - A drill press makes drilling the holes through the blanks a snap. I have a full-height drill press in my shop, but many turners find that a smaller benchtop drill press will suffice for small projects such as pens. Alternatively, you can use a hand-held power drill and vise if you have a steady hand and good aim. Some folks even mount a drill chuck and bit on their lathe and drill the blanks directly on the lathe. If you don't own a drill of some kind, you can order pre-drilled blanks from some suppliers.
- Saw - Blanks will need to be cut down to proper size before turning. This can be accomplished using a powered saw such as a band saw, a table saw, or a sliding miter saw. Or you can use a good old-fashioned hand saw and miter box, which is what I used until I got my bandsaw.
- Disc Sander - In order to achieve a clean and tight fit during assembly, the ends of the blanks should be squared perpendicular to the brass tubes. A disc sander makes this a piece of cake.
- Pen Mill - If you don't own a disc sander, but you do have a power drill (either hand-held or drill press) , you can accomplish the same thing by using a pen mill. A pen mill is a specially designed bit made specifically for trimming the ends of pen blanks square. If you don't own a power drill, pen mills can be fitted with a handle and used manually (great for exercising and strengthening your wrists and forearms!).
- Benchtop Grinder - It's inevitable; if you turn wood, you will need to sharpen your turning tools. A dull tool is a dangerous tool. And the more you turn, the more often you will need to sharpen. A slow-speed benchtop grinder can make the task quick and easy, especially if its outfitted with a sharpening jig. Actually, some form of sharpening system is required if you are going to do any kind of turning. But I didn't place the grinder under "required" tools because there are other sharpening techniques available, and you don't really need one right away to get started since most tools come pre-sharpened these days. I have heard other turners say that they sharpen their tools using a stationary belt sander. This may be fine, but since I have never personally done this I will stop short of recommending it here.
Cigar Pen
Getting Started: Penturning Tutorials
- Making a Pen
- by Russ Fairfield
This site has a basic tutorial on how to turn a "slimline" pen which is the basic pen that most beginning turners start with. Russ also shows us a few variations on the basic slimline design. - Making Pens
- by Dave Hylands
Here are the basic steps required to make pens on your lathe. Also includes a basic list of pen making supplies that you'll need to get started. - Pen Making: Building On The Basics
- by Jim Shaver
Here's a good presentation showing the basic steps in makeing a turned pen. Jim starts by showing you the basic tools and materials you will need to get started. Then he steps you through the process step-by-step, and throws in some hints and tips along the way. He includes lots of color photos that really help to illustrate the process. This presentation is in PDF format - Slim-Line Pen
- by Kenneth George
Another good tutorial on the basic slim-line pen. The primary foucus of this tutorial is on preparation and assembly.
Junior Statesman Pen
Penturning Hints, Tips, & Tricks
These sites offer great tips and tricks that will make your penturning easier, more efficient, and hopefully more fun. Check them out!
- Jim's Penturning Tips & Tricks
- Jim offers some great tips on drilling and gluing your blanks and assembling your pens.
- Removing A Twist Mechanism
- A common mistake when assembling a pen is inserting the twist mechanism too far into the tube. This simple procedure shows you how to remove the mechanism without ruining your pen. A great tip that will save you a lot of frustration. Thanks, Jim!
Artisan Fountain Pen
Msgs From The Penturners Group
See what fellow penturners are posting in the Yahoo Penturners Group, then use the button below to join in the discussion. Here are the latest messages that have been posted to the group:
"Father Sing" Pen
Msgs From The Penmakers Guild Forum
Junior Retro Pen
Advanced Penturning Tutorials and Projects
Some of these links take you to PDF documents so you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Mastered the basic slim-line pen? Looking to expand your creative pen-making horizons? These links will help you take your penturning to the next level.
- Turning Beads & Coves On Pens
- This photo essay is intended to guide a woodturner through the process of turning small beads and coves onto a Slimline twist pen to enhance design and usability.
- Signature Pen
- This is an article by Angelo Iafrate that appeared in the Spring 2004 issue of "American Woodturner" magazine. Angelo tells us how to modify standard kit pens to create customized functional one-of-a-kind pens.
- Turning a Polycromatic Segmented Pen
- This tutorial will show you how to create a "segmented" design using several species of wood. Lots of good color photographs.
- Making A Double Cross Pen
- This site shows you how to incorporate an interesting double "x" or cross design into your pens.
- Turning A Corn Cob Pen
- What do you do with all of those leftover corn cobs after dinner? Why, you make pens out of them of course. Check out this article to learn how.
- Another Take On The Corn Cob Pen
- Emory McLaughlin shows us his technique for turning a corn cob pen. He also includes a process for applying a colored dye to the pen to achieve some really stunning and vibrant colors!
- Turning A Baseball Bat Pen
- Shows you how to turn pens shaped like miniature baseball bats.
- "Closed End" Baseball Bat Pen
- Another technique for turning bat-shaped pens. This method results in a pen cap shaped like the handle of a baseball bat.
- Polymer Clay Pen
- How to make turned pens out of clay instead of wood. You can achieve some very interesting designs using this method.
- Making "Stick Pens"
- "Stick Pens" utilize ink refills and parts canabalized from store-bought disposable pens such as Bic and Papermate instead of parts purchased as part of a kit.
- Re-creating The "Morning After" Pen
- This tutorial by Ron McIntire of McKinney Pens will show you how he created the stunning design you see in the title graphic of this lens. Using Ron's techniques, you can create your own unique designs using laminated pen blanks.
- Custom Centerbands for Slimline Pens
- by William (Bill) Young
Here is one of the first custom skills to learn! By using a custom centerband on your slimline pens, you are freed from having a narrow pen. You no longer have to meet the size of the bushings in the center of the pen. And you create a design that is uniquely yours in the process!
Panache Pen
Penturning Books To Help Get You Started
Penturning Supplies
I have personally used each of these sites to purchase penturning supplies, and feel comfortable recommending them....
- Rockler.com
- Rockler has a nice selection of kits for pen turning and other small woodturning projects. They also have a good selection of other woodworking tools and project supplies. Order your FREE catalog while you're at their site. Its loaded with good stuff
- Woodcraft
- This site has a nice selection of pen kits and blanks as well as other woodworking supplies and tools. They also have stores in some cities if you prefer to do your shopping in person. Check them out!
- Arizona Silhouette
- This site is run by Bill Baumbeck, an accomplished penturner in his own right. He sells everything you could ever need to make pens, but he is famous for his dyed and stabilized turning blanks. Bill also sells an instructional video for beginners....highly recommended. I own it myself. Bill is a great guy and is always helpful. He has even been known to throw in a free sample or two in his outgoing orders from time to time.
- Craft Supplies USA
- Craft Supplies USA has tools, project kits, and supplies for woodturners of all skill levels. They have a wide selection of pen kits and turning blanks.
- Penn State Industries
- Turning blanks and pen kits. Also has kits and blanks for other turning projects, as well as general woodworking tools.
- Berea Hardwoods
- A wide selection of pen kits.
Pen Kit Instructions
- Craft Supplies USA
- This is a link to the instructions for all woodturning kits sold by Craft Supplies USA. Instructions are in PDF format for easy downloading and printing. Required Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Penturning Tools & Supplies On eBay
Find great deals on new and used tools on eBay!
Great Deals on Pen Blanks from eBay
Speak Your Mind!
I want to hear what you have to say.
Got something to say on the subject of pen turning? Or perhaps you just want to say hi. Either way, let your voice be heard! Leave me a blurb.
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GunnyOToole
Jan 13, 2012 @ 12:38 am | delete
- If anyone wants to see a video on pen-turning, I posted one on youtube...
http://youtu.be/6jqfZvJRsko
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maxrounden
Jan 7, 2012 @ 7:24 pm | delete
- After I skimmed over your lens, I went back and read it. I think I found a new interest in Penturning. Thanks!
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survivorsrock
Dec 14, 2011 @ 9:13 pm | delete
- Always wanted to try this. Thanks for the information.
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buntyross Jun 14, 2011 @ 12:34 am | delete
- the pens look really great but i guess that would take lot of manual work where as with printed pens we do not need much of manual work.
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Scott S.
Mar 11, 2011 @ 11:36 am | delete
- I write on many fountain pen, pencils and related topics on my blog and actually posted something on hand crafted wood pens. I ended up watching about 30 minutes of video on you tube on the process and had no idea what went into this before that, it's really a craft. If you're interested please check out my latest post on the Parker Duofold Pencil, but please check out some of my other posts.
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My Other Woodturning Lenses
Check Them All Out!!!
Be sure to check out my other lenses about woodturning and lathework. I hope you find them informative and enjoyable.
- Woodturning Projects
- This lens contains an extenxive catalog of links to step-by-step woodturning projects for all skill levels.
- Woodturning Clubs & Guilds
- Want to learn to turn? Join a club! Find one near you with the help of this lens.
- Bowl Turning Basics
- Want to learn how to turn a bowl on a lathe? This lense will teach you how to get started.
- Woodturner's Wishlist
- Looking to buy the tools you'll need to get started turning pens? Look no further than my woodturner's shopping lens for some links to some great deals from reputable vendors.
This Lens Belongs To These Woodworking Groups
Visit these groups for more great woodturning and woodworking lenses.
Some Parting Words
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