Penturning must have

[Dario]

Lets put a list of things that are required for beginning/newbie penturner.

If you would, please indicate if it is a must have or just nice to have. No smart comments please that a chainsaw and pick-up truck as requirements

My thinking is to compile a list that a bare bones turner must have...with options for upgrades on each tool category.

Recommendation for brand/model/vendor/etc will also be nice. This part may be a can of worms but hopefully we can all behave and give good recommendations (keeping in mind it is geared for newbies) and not confuse them.

I know I can put the initial list myself but will leave that to you guys....I will just compile them afterwards.

Thank you.

 

[Randy_]

My memory may be faulty; but it seems to me there was a thread on this very subject(or very simliar to) not too long ago??

 

[les-smith]

The Wilton Mini-Lathe. It'a hundred dollars at Amazon and ships free. I've got one and it's great for a beginner.

 

[hanau]

PEN VISE

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

- Some sort of saw to size the blank
- Drill
- Glue to glue the tubes in
- Pen mill
- Lathe
- Mandrel
- Bushings
- Turning tool
- Sand paper

 

[Marc Phillips]

Originally posted by Randy_
<br />My memory may be faulty; but it seems to me there was a thread on this very subject(or very simliar to) not too long ago??

Is there some rule about never posting the same subject twice???

 

[Randy_]

Originally posted by Marc Phillips
<br />
Is there some rule about never posting the same subject twice???

None at all; but why waste time reinventing the wheel? Seems to me it would be a lot easier and a lot more efficient to bump up the old thread and add any items that folks felt were approprite.

 

[DFM]

Don't forget to include wood or acrylic pen blanks and pen kits. []

 

[Rmartin]

I would add something that's not absolutely positively needed overnight, but it's inexpensive, so why not?

A Smith's Diamond Sharpener

Available at WalMart for less than seven bucks

It's a universal sharpening rod that fits in your pocket. Even has a pen clip. Perfect size for getting in tight spaces like gouge tools. I like it better than a sanding stone. Even has a groove for sharpening fish hooks. A few passes, no oil required, and you will have as sharp an edge as you'll ever get.

 

[GBusardo]

Hi Dario,

I can't think of a less expensive way to turn a pen.

Bare bones list

Hand saw
Small drill press or hand drill with guides
Drill press pen mandrel or lathe and mandrel
A pen blank vise could be made easily with an 8 inch piece of 2x4 and a couple of
C-clamps
Thick CA Glue
Pen mill or disc sander
Spindle gouge and paring tool
Sand paper 150 - 600 grit
Bushings
Blanks from scrap around the shop
Pen kit
Finish or not
Vice to use a pen press
Grinder or belt sander/disc sander combo to sharpen and shape the turning tools

 

[Dario]

Randy,

Sorry, I must have missed it...been spending less time here these past weeks due to other "projects". If you don't mind please post the thread here so I can tap it for the summary later.

As I said, I can easily make the list (I think) but want other input too.

 

[stevers]

I have been finding this more and more as I get into custom blanks, like laminates and lengthwise segmentation.
A good PEN DRILLING VICE.
Hard to turn a round pen when you cant drill a strait hole.

 

[thewishman]

I still sharpen with an oilstone (I am penturning on the cheap) and I use a plexi finish that is the cost of the acetone.

Chris

 

[Boomer]

table saw for sizing blanks from larger chunks of wood.

 

[jjenk02]

Originally posted by Boomer
<br />table saw for sizing blanks from larger chunks of wood.

or you could use a band saw..

 

[GBusardo]

Originally posted by Dario
<br />Lets put a list of things that are required for beginning/newbie penturner.

If you would, please indicate if it is a must have or just nice to have. No smart comments please that a chainsaw and pick-up truck as requirements []

My thinking is to compile a list that a bare bones turner must have...

Maybe I got this wrong, but I was thinking Dario's objective was to give the possible new pen turner a starting point and where to go from there. I know that I could surely have used a list. I blew a lot of money on useless stuff that I would not have bought if there was a list available. I think a link to the list should be right on the home page with the heading, New Turners Click Here, or something like that. Come to think of it, I can still use that list lol []

 

[Mikey]

One item on my list.


Lots and lots of cash!

 

[ctwxlvr]

my list

lathe
drill
drill bit of proper size
mandrel
bushings for kit
skew, gouge and parting chisels required
some way of squaring the blanks
way of cutting the blanks to length
good vise for holding blanks while drilling
some way to press the kits together pen, arbor, or drill press
eye protection
dust protection
sand paper
adhesive
finish
pen kit
blank of your choice
cheap padded wall to bang your head against when blowouts happen
fire extingusher
911 on speed dial

think that is a basic list of what is required

 

[Alexander]

ALL you need;
Finishing supplies; sand paper, wax for finish.
drill press
lathe
some sort of saw.. I like a chop saw over a bandsaw
barrel trimmer
turning tools