I've recently changed my method after watching a video Ed posted. I use to usd a barrel trimmer before turning the blank.
I now cut the blank closer to the finished size (I did this before but I pay more attention to it now), glue in the tube and then turn the pen to final size.
After this I put a pen mandrel in the tail stock with ±3" of rod sticking out. I then mount a 3" face plate I had (which I put a 1/2" piece of plywood on) which has sand paper on it held on with double sided tape. I then put the blank on the mandrel and move the tail stock in close to the face plate. Start up the lathe and slowly slide the blank into the face plate to sand to perfection.
I am quite happy with this method.
AK
The method I show in number 6,
here is an improvement over the pen mill approach.
The biggest single factor I run into with people "blowing up" pen blanks is the way they have treated the blank in the "facing" stage.
HOW you face a "finicky" plastic can be the difference between a pricey pen and a pricey "blown up blank"!!
ANY approach that uses sandpaper is LESS LIKELY to destroy your blanks.
FWIW!!!
Ed