Warren White
Member
This is a question that I (and I assume others) are asked from time to time.
I know the answer depends upon many variables; experience, technique used, shop configuration (for example, my 'shop' doubles as a garage, so I have to roll stuff out and hook it up), issues encountered during the process that require additional attention, single blank vs two blanks per pen, and for me, the "Where did I put that....." during each step (it's crap getting old). Then there are lessons learned almost each time that can and will modify your times. For example, this time I noted before assembly that the mechanism was VERY stiff before I assembled the pen. A few minutes with WD-40 and a paper towel and this pen works more smoothly than others from the same dealer. Other little changes in procedure can save a few minutes here and there.
I finished the pen pictured below and kept track of the time as I completed each task, but I only timed one blank for the pen. Of course, it doesn't take into account the times things are sitting (for example letting the glue/epoxy cure when gluing the tube in, waiting after the CA is applied, etc.).
Prep and drilling 10 minutes
Prep and gluing the tube in 8 minutes
Sanding the ends of the blank flush 5 minutes
Turning and sanding 15 minutes
Applying CA and sanding to 400 15 minutes
Polishing CA finish 7 minutes
Assembly of pen 5 minutes
A total (for me) is just at one hour.
Now I know that this is just one data point, and it applies only to me. I remember meeting a bowl turner who got me started on that aspect of the hobby and when I asked him how long it took him to turn a bowl, he said "15 minutes." It takes me days to finish one.
The pen below is from a Big Leaf Maple Cluster blank from Rocky Bemis (rockb) from Redding. The wood is fantastic! Thanks a lot...
Sorry to be so long in this, but I hope you find it of some interest.
I know the answer depends upon many variables; experience, technique used, shop configuration (for example, my 'shop' doubles as a garage, so I have to roll stuff out and hook it up), issues encountered during the process that require additional attention, single blank vs two blanks per pen, and for me, the "Where did I put that....." during each step (it's crap getting old). Then there are lessons learned almost each time that can and will modify your times. For example, this time I noted before assembly that the mechanism was VERY stiff before I assembled the pen. A few minutes with WD-40 and a paper towel and this pen works more smoothly than others from the same dealer. Other little changes in procedure can save a few minutes here and there.
I finished the pen pictured below and kept track of the time as I completed each task, but I only timed one blank for the pen. Of course, it doesn't take into account the times things are sitting (for example letting the glue/epoxy cure when gluing the tube in, waiting after the CA is applied, etc.).
Prep and drilling 10 minutes
Prep and gluing the tube in 8 minutes
Sanding the ends of the blank flush 5 minutes
Turning and sanding 15 minutes
Applying CA and sanding to 400 15 minutes
Polishing CA finish 7 minutes
Assembly of pen 5 minutes
A total (for me) is just at one hour.
Now I know that this is just one data point, and it applies only to me. I remember meeting a bowl turner who got me started on that aspect of the hobby and when I asked him how long it took him to turn a bowl, he said "15 minutes." It takes me days to finish one.
The pen below is from a Big Leaf Maple Cluster blank from Rocky Bemis (rockb) from Redding. The wood is fantastic! Thanks a lot...
Sorry to be so long in this, but I hope you find it of some interest.