Looking for a kitless teacher.

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Psychmike22

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2013
Messages
139
Location
NY
Hello everyone. I have been turning for a few years and have been making mostly kit pens, small items, bowls, and boxes. I am really interested in learning how to make kitless pens. I've read the library pages on the subject but I know I learn best from watching. I learned a lot from Captain Eddie.

I have a mid sized jet lathe and a 7x14 metal lathe from little machine shop. I am slowly climbing the learning curve on the metal lathe. I have some time off at the end of the month and would like to spend some time learning from a member that has it down pat. I am in the New York City area and am up for a road trip if you are a few hours away. I will compensate you for your time at your rate. Ideally I would like to watch you make a kitless pen from start to finish then have you shadow me doing it and provide me with some feedback. I'm a quick study. Please let me know if you are interested.




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magpens

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Feb 2, 2011
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15,913
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Canada
I have only made a few kitless and am still learning so I hope you post some of your work as you learn.

I have found that I like working with Alumilite (the Lava Explosion blanks from ElMostro) because it threads so nicely.

I also have a 7x14 and really enjoy using it.
 

Psychmike22

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2013
Messages
139
Location
NY
I want to update this post as it has been a few weeks into my kitless adventure and I wanted to share my progress.
I will start with a big thank you to Jim. He walked me through his process shared an amazing amount of knowledge, experience , and encouragement. He is a talented teacher and an all around great guy.


Thank you Jim!

My first pen is all black ebonite with a green and purple swirl. Ebonite is forgiving when tapping and threading. It polishes well and I liked how it came out. It has a #6 Jowo nib.


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Mike Marroquin
 

Psychmike22

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2013
Messages
139
Location
NY
The next few are all acrylic acetate rod. They are slightly harder to thread compared to ebonite but not as hard as poly resin. I am working on reducing my impulsive need to complete these pens from start to finish in the same day. I want to see how they turn out. Stopping the lathe to continue tomorrow gets hard.

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Mike Marroquin
 

Psychmike22

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2013
Messages
139
Location
NY
I started experimenting with casting and with roll stops. The red one is poly resin. I was surprised to find it didn't have air bubbles. The roll stop here is a sterling stud earring. I drilled for the post and CA glued it in. The dragon fly worked the same way. These are inexpensive and amazingly variable in style. I plan on getting more at flea markets this summer.

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Mike Marroquin
 
Last edited:

Psychmike22

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2013
Messages
139
Location
NY
That is just the tray.
on the right the left most and middle were from exotic blanks. And the right was a tortoise shell rod I got a while ago. I don't remember the source.
Excellent, but they look like Sheaffer's to me, or is that just the box?

Can you recall what the 3 blanks on the right of the photo are?
Thanks Mike,

Mike
 
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