where do you buy your kits?

[Balasharc]

So being fairly new to turning pens other than CSUSA and Pennstate where do you purchase your kits?
Looking for as many different places as possible,and I'm just curious.
Also exactly which kit is the "Long Click" pencil?

 

[ctubbs]

John, at the top of the page you will find a "Forums" tab. Click that and locate on the far right of that pull down 2 listings of Business Classifieds and Individual Classifieds. Many of our members have placed adds there. Also there is a "Links" tab at the very top of the page.
For myself, I have bought from Ed and Dawn at ExoticBlanks, and Smitty at www.smittyspenworks.com and Woodcraft among others. I have yet to find a vendor on the IAP that does not offer outstanding service and prices. Over all they are a great bunch. There are others I am leaving out, not for reason but because I am feeble minded. I hope they forgive me. You will be hard pressed to find a better bunch to deal with.
Charles

 

[LeeR]

My first pen kits came from Lee Valley, since I've bought woodworking items from them for years. I've bought from exoticblanks.com, also from Smitty (who you will see posting here a lot), and I'm going to give timberbits.com in Australia a try, since they have decent prices, and shipping to US is $12, well worth it considering their low prices (and they offer free shipping if order is over $200).

I used to buy some pens at Woodcraft, but their prices are to high. Pretty much the same story for Rockler, in my opinion. I'm trying to spread my orders around, and give everyone a shot at my business if possible. I haven't had a bad ordering experience from anyone.

I have also ordered pen blanks from IAP members posting here, and these are by far the best deals I've found (and great blanks, too!).

 

[ssajn]

I get most of my supplies from :
http://www.exoticblanks.com/
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/
http://www.smittyspenworks.com
and
http://www.woodcraft.com

 

[its_virgil]

While there are several excellent pen kit and supply retailers here on IAP there are also several who do not advertise in the classifieds.

Berea kits can be purchased cheaper than from woodcraft at http://www.arizonasilhouette.com and http://www.beartoothwoods.com along with http://www.bereahardwoods.com

Penn State kits are cheaper from http://www.woodturningz.com than from Penn State directly. Several of the vendors here also sell PSI kits cheaper than PSI. Another good source for PSI kits is http://www.woodnwhimsies.com along with http://www.woodpenpro.com/

A couple of vendors other than the ones already mentioned who import kits directly are http://thegoldennib.com/ and http://laulauwood.com

Have fun with these choices along with the others mentioned.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[JohnU]

I try to keep my business with IAP members. I do most of my shopping at Exoticblanks.com That way I can grab my kits, blanks, and occasionally replace my bushings. Plus theres Lots of new stuff always showing up.

 

[Balasharc]

Thanks guys. That is what I was looking for different places to buy from and your experience with them.

 

[dabeeler]

I buy my kits from Arizona Silhouette http://www.arizonasilhouette.com/ They carry the Berea kits. I Particularly like the weekly specials where I can buy a few at maximum quantity discount. They ship fast and usually add something to the box as a thank you. I buy blanks from some of the members that advertise in the classified section.

 

[Christian]

I'm here in the UK and I buy some of my kits from your side of the pond from Ernie at Beartooth Woods. I have always found his service, stock and just general demeanour to be outstanding. I would highly recommend him.

Chris

 

[dtswebb]

John -

In alphabetical order as I don't want to upset anyone -

Arizona Silhouette
Bear Tooth Woods
Exotic Blanks
Penn State Industries
Smitty's Penworks
Wood-N-Whimsies
Woodturningz
Wood N Workshop

All are good. Many are smaller operations that offer fantastic customer service, fair prices and are owned by great people.

Matthew

 

[JD Combs Sr]

Adding to Mathews list and still In alphabetical order as I would want to upset anyone either. I have added my opinion on the quality of some of the pen kits.

Arizona Silhouette (Distribute Berea Hardwood kits)
Berea Hardwoods (Taiwanese made kits and are better quality - My opinion)
Bear Tooth Woods (Distribute Berea Hardwood kits)
Exotic Blanks (??)
Golden Nib (??)
Penn State Industries (Chinese Parts - of lesser quality - My opinion)
Smitty's Penworks (??)
Wood-N-Whimsies (Distribute PSI kits)
Woodturningz (??)
Wood N Workshop (??)

I am sure there are a lot more but...

However, as Matthew noted "All are good. Many are smaller operations that offer fantastic customer service, fair prices and are owned by great people."

There is a pretty good/long discussion over on Lumber Jocks that deals almost exclusively with kit quality and where to buy buy them. Its a little dated but check it out. http://lumberjocks.com/topics/2481

 

[Smitty37]

In fairness

In Fairness to PSI they have both Chinese and Taiwanese made kits for sale.

Mine are mostly made in China but I also get some Dayacom kits on special sales I run.