I am about to turn my first pen when my stuff finishes arriving the coming week. But I only have 5 acrylic blanks.
Was wondering if maybe someone here is selling a good deal.
Thank you.
Not meaning to open a can of worms, and please take this as one turner's advice to another, but why not start with scrap wood? Acrylics can be fun and easy, especially when finishing, but they also carry with them a bit of a learning curve and other issues wood doesn't bring along. If you're worried about your first pen not being GREAT, don't worry, my first pen is an ugly mishapen clunker that has since cracked, but my wife treasures it to the point she has threatened to leave me if I ever steal it from her and "fix" it (I keep telling her if I ever want her to go, she'll know 'cause I'll fix the pen...:biggrin
As for practicing, $5 at HomeDepot will get you a bunch of practice materials, and I can't recommend enough just tossing wood on the lathe and playing away with no plan in mind, just get the feel for the tools, change lathe speeds, try to make shapes, etc. Maple, poplar, and red oak that they sell will give you some variety of turning densities and consistencies to deal with (and you can even look for those messy scrap pieces that the carpenters cut off if you want a challenge...)
I'd also recommend if you want to go this route, don't buy dowels, one of the scariest parts for new turners is getting from square to round, so it is something you need to get used to. Sure, we get a lot of round blanks around here, but I would say probably at least 90% of my turning starts square...
Once you're comfortable with turning wood for the heck of it, then give the acrylics a shot, and you'll be more prepared to handle adjusting your technique to avoid chipping (if you cut to aggressively) and excess heat (in my case usually cause by dull tools and pressing too hard).
Either way, have fun, STAY SAFE!!!, and don't worry. Mistakes will happen, material will get damaged, small victories will come over time, and you will learn from all of them.
