Benefits of buying pre-drilled blanks?
- Thread starter TonyL
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Dan Masshardt
Member
Limited on materials and sizes.
That's what I noticed. I guess they also eliminate some of the craftsmanship.
While I have you: what is the difference between he trim line and comfort line? I also see this fun line (and notice that it is not warrantied).
Thank you.
While I have you: what is the difference between he trim line and comfort line? I also see this fun line (and notice that it is not warrantied).
Thank you.
Dan Masshardt
Member
Different Center band, clip style and sizes. I prefer the Trimline myself. Any of these are good to gain experience. What kind of pens have you turned so far ?
ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
Quality. Platings and component "fit".
Dan Masshardt
Member
5 slim lines. I don't like fatter pens to use personally, so I just started with what I enjoy writing with. My family and friends also prefer the slimmer lines. We think the heavier ones are nice and "prettier", but we would not use them. I do have a cigar kit, and I will buy some trim lines tomorrow night.
Dan Masshardt
Member
Since you don't like fat pens, here are some nice ones ( I like anyway) that are not very big but have better quality refill options.
Tetra nano stylus
New series rollerball / fountain (very slim for this kind of pen.
Magnetic vertex
Aero / Sierra / liberty (Different but similar overall)
Also, keep in mind that many of the rollerball / fountains have a thin piece for the part you actually hold.
Tetra nano stylus
New series rollerball / fountain (very slim for this kind of pen.
Magnetic vertex
Aero / Sierra / liberty (Different but similar overall)
Also, keep in mind that many of the rollerball / fountains have a thin piece for the part you actually hold.
Thanks. I am also a ball point guy an don't want to mess with a cap. I will definitely check these out! Thank you. That's not to say that someone may ask me to make him or her one of the other styles.
plano_harry
Member
Tony, the real detriment would be that you can't get really nice wood in the pre-drilled blanks and you pay more. After a few pens, you will be hooked on finding better wood and they won't meet your needs. I tried some. They work fine, but you just get an average pen. You don't have to have a drill press. Many members prefer to drill on the lathe. I do either, depending on the project.
That makes sense
That makes sense. I will skip it. I drill on my lathe (I don' know if that is good or bad, it was just less costly than buying a drill press).
Thank you.
That makes sense. I will skip it. I drill on my lathe (I don' know if that is good or bad, it was just less costly than buying a drill press).
Thank you.
Cmiles1985
Member
I would agree with the above: lack of selection. I'd have to say that drilling on the lathe is better for these reasons:
Faster- the center doesn't have to be found, the blank set in a vice and centered to the bit, and it's much easier to control the speed you are boring. Also, you have a VS lathe making the speed of rotation very controllable. If you have the dedicated pen blank chuck ($80 from PSI), you can complete the drilling process very quickly.
More control- I pretty much rambled enough above to cover this. I could almost never get my blanks drilled perfectly on the drill press. On the lathe, I've messed up once (allowed bit to touch wood before locking tail stock down so it drilled OOR).
I received some pre-drilled mystery wood in a box of acrylics I bought off of a fellow member here, and they're great when the neighbor you can't stand wants to buy one, but you know you'll likely never get paid... In other words, it knocks a small step out of the process, and it's plain.
Faster- the center doesn't have to be found, the blank set in a vice and centered to the bit, and it's much easier to control the speed you are boring. Also, you have a VS lathe making the speed of rotation very controllable. If you have the dedicated pen blank chuck ($80 from PSI), you can complete the drilling process very quickly.
More control- I pretty much rambled enough above to cover this. I could almost never get my blanks drilled perfectly on the drill press. On the lathe, I've messed up once (allowed bit to touch wood before locking tail stock down so it drilled OOR).
I received some pre-drilled mystery wood in a box of acrylics I bought off of a fellow member here, and they're great when the neighbor you can't stand wants to buy one, but you know you'll likely never get paid... In other words, it knocks a small step out of the process, and it's plain.
Thank you. I use the PSI accessory. I love it.
The only time I can ever see myself selling anything is to raise funds for charity. And I will actually sell at cost excluding my labor or just donate everything and practice!
I am a CPA, but don't work in the industry anymore. I have stopped doing tax work years ago. Too much free time wasted on a few thousand dollars earned. At 50, I am ready to enjoy my free time. Guitars, aquariums, and now pen turning is a nice way to spend it!
Thank you. You folks outstanding!
The only time I can ever see myself selling anything is to raise funds for charity. And I will actually sell at cost excluding my labor or just donate everything and practice!
I am a CPA, but don't work in the industry anymore. I have stopped doing tax work years ago. Too much free time wasted on a few thousand dollars earned. At 50, I am ready to enjoy my free time. Guitars, aquariums, and now pen turning is a nice way to spend it!
Thank you. You folks outstanding!
toddlajoie
Member
I find the trimlines to be nicer to write with than the basic strait bodied slimline. They aren't significantly larger/heavier than the slim, like the Cigar will be, but they "feel" a bit better to me.
The Aero series (Craft Supply, Exotics, and a few others sell them) is also smaller in size than the Sierra series, and I like them a bit nicer than the Sierra. The Aero's also do a better job of making a feminine pen in my opinion than the similar style Sierra Elegant series.
You could also look into the Designer/European pens, which are 7mm cross ballpoint pens but a little bit beefier while not being large. Their profile can be varied a bit to make it lighter or heavier depending on your desire. Another is the Slimline Pro, which is a larger version of the Slimline (different size tubes, 8mm drill bit) and uses the Parker refills (like the Cigar, Aero, Sierra, etc) which, again in my opinion, write better and come in a greater variety of ink types and colors (you know you want purple ink...:biggrin
As to the original question, everyone covered it, but to recap:
Pros: Convienient, precise, quick, no drilling needed
Cons: Expensive, limited wood selection, limited kit selection, difficult to modify, segment, etc.
The Aero series (Craft Supply, Exotics, and a few others sell them) is also smaller in size than the Sierra series, and I like them a bit nicer than the Sierra. The Aero's also do a better job of making a feminine pen in my opinion than the similar style Sierra Elegant series.
You could also look into the Designer/European pens, which are 7mm cross ballpoint pens but a little bit beefier while not being large. Their profile can be varied a bit to make it lighter or heavier depending on your desire. Another is the Slimline Pro, which is a larger version of the Slimline (different size tubes, 8mm drill bit) and uses the Parker refills (like the Cigar, Aero, Sierra, etc) which, again in my opinion, write better and come in a greater variety of ink types and colors (you know you want purple ink...:biggrin
As to the original question, everyone covered it, but to recap:
Pros: Convienient, precise, quick, no drilling needed
Cons: Expensive, limited wood selection, limited kit selection, difficult to modify, segment, etc.
plano_harry
Member
I like the PSI Graduate if you are happy with Cross style refills.
Step up to a Berea Round Top Euro, or a Perfect Fit Convertible with a Schmidt Easy Flo refill and you get a much nicer writing experience. These can be turned pretty slim, but are a little bit trickier because of the centerband design.
Step up to a Berea Round Top Euro, or a Perfect Fit Convertible with a Schmidt Easy Flo refill and you get a much nicer writing experience. These can be turned pretty slim, but are a little bit trickier because of the centerband design.
Quality Pen
Member
Great dialogue... just want to say that a fellow neophyte is enjoying all the helpful input
