Greetings all
I have been a lurker on IAP for quite some time so I thought now would be as good a time as any to join and introduce myself.
My name is Jim Swift and I currently live in East-Central Indiana(1 hour east of Indy). Wife & I are owners/operators of a campground therefore have lots of time in winter to enjoy penturning and other types of turning/woodworking.
Have been a flat woodworker for many years and have enjoyed that. Thought it was time to try turning. Taken a few classes at the local Woodcraft store in Indy and as Paul Harvey says...you know the rest of the story.
Purchased a Jet mini last winter and had some major blowouts while drilling and squaring the pen blanks but got that problem solved however I didn't really have time to indulge like I wanted to. This winter I really got into penturning and have truly enjoyed it. Might have to get another job to 'support my habit'. Turned 100+ pens this winter, mostly acrylic,(can't seem to get the CA process down pat yet). Sold around 15 or so and have given 30-40 as Christmas gifts to family & friends. Everyone just loves the pens with different colors of acrylic all shined and polished up.
Have tried , with varying degrees of success, laminating blanks with pickguard, aluminum, brass, celtic knots etc. Looks promising with more practice. Wish I could get that CA down. Would like to work more on wood pens as I have arounr 40-50 blanks ready to go but don't want to ruin $6-$9 blanks on practicing. So in the meantime I'll stick with turning poplar/maple scraps till my finishing skills get better.
I hate to type cause I can't very well so I'll stop here and say THANK YOU ALL for all the time spent here and at other forums helping me and others improve our turning skills.
Jim Swift
I have been a lurker on IAP for quite some time so I thought now would be as good a time as any to join and introduce myself.
My name is Jim Swift and I currently live in East-Central Indiana(1 hour east of Indy). Wife & I are owners/operators of a campground therefore have lots of time in winter to enjoy penturning and other types of turning/woodworking.
Have been a flat woodworker for many years and have enjoyed that. Thought it was time to try turning. Taken a few classes at the local Woodcraft store in Indy and as Paul Harvey says...you know the rest of the story.
Purchased a Jet mini last winter and had some major blowouts while drilling and squaring the pen blanks but got that problem solved however I didn't really have time to indulge like I wanted to. This winter I really got into penturning and have truly enjoyed it. Might have to get another job to 'support my habit'. Turned 100+ pens this winter, mostly acrylic,(can't seem to get the CA process down pat yet). Sold around 15 or so and have given 30-40 as Christmas gifts to family & friends. Everyone just loves the pens with different colors of acrylic all shined and polished up.
Have tried , with varying degrees of success, laminating blanks with pickguard, aluminum, brass, celtic knots etc. Looks promising with more practice. Wish I could get that CA down. Would like to work more on wood pens as I have arounr 40-50 blanks ready to go but don't want to ruin $6-$9 blanks on practicing. So in the meantime I'll stick with turning poplar/maple scraps till my finishing skills get better.
I hate to type cause I can't very well so I'll stop here and say THANK YOU ALL for all the time spent here and at other forums helping me and others improve our turning skills.
Jim Swift
