Malakin
Member
Although I joined IAP some time ago this is really the first opportunity I have had to introduce myself.
I have been turning wood for several years now and specialise in broken bowls, blunted tools, beautiful wood chippings and have a masters in foul language.
After one particularly successful evening of not managing to make what I wanted, I sat in front of the PC looking for more wood to turn into kindling when I came across pen blanks. Being particularly pleased with my recent endeavours at the lathe I purchased the relevant materials and tools to turn pens.
Nothing major, just a mandrel that came with 5 slimline pen kits, a set of bushes and drill bits.
Fortunately I have an engineering background so constructing these wasn't going to be a problem.
I cut and drilled the first pieces of wood, glued in the tubes, put them on the lathe and as soon as I started turning, my love affair with pens began.
There is a lot of pleasure to be had from taking a piece of wood and turning it into something functional.
My wife, who is a long suffering workshop widow, always gets my second piece. For her it was a slimline pen in pink ivory. She took it into work and next thing I know I am getting orders for leaving gifts, retirement presents, birthday presents and wedding gifts for best men.
I moved on from slim lines to classics, fountain pens and just about anything else. The feedback I have received has been unexpectedly fantastic and very humbling.
Due to this my pens no longer sit in a bowl on a shelf but have their own display area. Again thanks to my wife's persistence.
As things have progressed I find myself more and more reluctant to let orders go. For me that is a good thing, I know that if I like something and want to keep it, then the new owner will no doubt feel the same.
Ladies and gentleman I look at the pens on this site and my efforts don't come close to what I see but you have inspired me to try different things.
I continue to turn a variety of pieces in the workshop but pens remain my passion.
Happy new year.
Malakin.
I have been turning wood for several years now and specialise in broken bowls, blunted tools, beautiful wood chippings and have a masters in foul language.
After one particularly successful evening of not managing to make what I wanted, I sat in front of the PC looking for more wood to turn into kindling when I came across pen blanks. Being particularly pleased with my recent endeavours at the lathe I purchased the relevant materials and tools to turn pens.
Nothing major, just a mandrel that came with 5 slimline pen kits, a set of bushes and drill bits.
Fortunately I have an engineering background so constructing these wasn't going to be a problem.
I cut and drilled the first pieces of wood, glued in the tubes, put them on the lathe and as soon as I started turning, my love affair with pens began.
There is a lot of pleasure to be had from taking a piece of wood and turning it into something functional.
My wife, who is a long suffering workshop widow, always gets my second piece. For her it was a slimline pen in pink ivory. She took it into work and next thing I know I am getting orders for leaving gifts, retirement presents, birthday presents and wedding gifts for best men.
I moved on from slim lines to classics, fountain pens and just about anything else. The feedback I have received has been unexpectedly fantastic and very humbling.
Due to this my pens no longer sit in a bowl on a shelf but have their own display area. Again thanks to my wife's persistence.
As things have progressed I find myself more and more reluctant to let orders go. For me that is a good thing, I know that if I like something and want to keep it, then the new owner will no doubt feel the same.
Ladies and gentleman I look at the pens on this site and my efforts don't come close to what I see but you have inspired me to try different things.
I continue to turn a variety of pieces in the workshop but pens remain my passion.
Happy new year.
Malakin.
