When Will It End?

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Dulos

Dulos

Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2011
Messages
56
Location
Faribault, MN 55021
Ok, I admit it. I started making pens because I am addicted to pens. I love the feel of a hefty pen with a low center of gravity. I love it when it flows effortlessly over the paper leaving a dark line behind. So, I decided to make my own pens. The basic reasoning was that I could make them cheaper than I could buy them and if I made enough of them I could maybe even break even.

And then it all fell apart. It fell apart because my own children became addicted too. Now they come to me and say, "Dad, I need a pen that does this or looks like that." And it isn't just one. Pretty soon they want one of every style and every color. And then it gets worse. They are now saying, "Dad, I need an upgrade to a more flexible nib." And on top of that they are spreading this terrible disease. They say, "Dad, I need a gift pen for my friend's birthday or Christmas present." So much for any hope of breaking even.

When will the madness end?
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
:bananen_smilies051:Your a lucky dad !! These days most kids don't talk to their parents unless they want money or need a ride someplace. Enjoy and savor these moments as, to soon, they will be replaced by," Dad can you watch the kids tonight so we can have a quiet night out ". Jim S
 
Last edited:
plantman said:
:bananen_smilies051:Your a lucky dad !! These days most kids don't talk to their parents unless they want money or need a ride someplace. Enjoy and savor these moments as, to soon, they will be replaced by," Dad can you watch the kids tonight so we can have a quiet night out ". Jim S
Click to expand...


This is so right on ! I just made a pen for my 7 year old grandson and he loved it! He was surprised to see the square material he picked out turned round and polished into a pen.....good times ...
 
Nope, it won't. at lease for me it is dad wanting my pens. He does pay in the way of letting me use his bank card. :)

Levi Woodard
Woodardwoodworks.com

Sent from my Galaxy player using Forum Runner
 
I feel your pain. I turned a few pens at Christmas time after not turning for about a year. Sold one......at discount, to a good friend. Gave away about 10. Yeah, I'm making a killing! I did get a few orders out of it though, so all isn't lost.
 
I guess I'm the exception. I made pens for about two years, just for gifts and my own use. But I like all kinds of wood working and I can't stick to just one thing. So I'm on to other things now. I still like pens and will make one for a special gift or something. The problem is I make so few now that it is almost a new learning experience when I do make one. There are just so many things to build and so little time. Currently in the process of building a Street Organ (hand crank) then I want to build a rose engine lathe that I have had to plans for for years. And I see a metal lathe in my future maybe that will include building some kitless pens. But I still love pens and that is why I hang out here.
 
PaulDoug said:
I guess I'm the exception. I made pens for about two years, just for gifts and my own use. But I like all kinds of wood working and I can't stick to just one thing. So I'm on to other things now. I still like pens and will make one for a special gift or something. The problem is I make so few now that it is almost a new learning experience when I do make one. There are just so many things to build and so little time. Currently in the process of building a Street Organ (hand crank) then I want to build a rose engine lathe that I have had to plans for for years. And I see a metal lathe in my future maybe that will include building some kitless pens. But I still love pens and that is why I hang out here.
Click to expand...
Ditto what Paul said except substitute canning a chair for the street organ and I suppose a rose-engine is a possibility and I already have the metal lathe.:wink:
 
Leatherman1998 said:
Nope, it won't. at lease for me it is dad wanting my pens. He does pay in the way of letting me use his bank card. :)

Levi Woodard
Woodardwoodworks.com

Sent from my Galaxy player using Forum Runner
Click to expand...

A little OT, but... CAP? Good job!
I had to choose between CAP and scouts, and I went scouts. My mom and dad were both majors, ( got married in their CAP uniforms), and my step-dad is a Lt. Col.
 
Dulos said:
Ok, I admit it. I started making pens because I am addicted to pens. I love the feel of a hefty pen with a low center of gravity. I love it when it flows effortlessly over the paper leaving a dark line behind. So, I decided to make my own pens. The basic reasoning was that I could make them cheaper than I could buy them and if I made enough of them I could maybe even break even.

And then it all fell apart. It fell apart because my own children became addicted too. Now they come to me and say, "Dad, I need a pen that does this or looks like that." And it isn't just one. Pretty soon they want one of every style and every color. And then it gets worse. They are now saying, "Dad, I need an upgrade to a more flexible nib." And on top of that they are spreading this terrible disease. They say, "Dad, I need a gift pen for my friend's birthday or Christmas present." So much for any hope of breaking even.

When will the madness end?
Click to expand...


Wait till your grand kids ask for pens.
then you will know that it has been worth all the time
you have spent doing this.

My grand son is now asking for pens for his teachers.


:smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile:
 
Two of my grand daughters come over and ask "Grandpa can we each make a pen?" Sure, use this. "But we really like this kit and this burl" Alright. There go my Triton fountain pens and burl blanks.

That's alright, it's great when they want to turn something. Both girls have been turning about 5 years and are the only kids in their high school that use what their friends and teachers call "those old style pens".

I love it and wouldn't want then to stop but it makes me wonder What's next. :eek:
 
PaulDoug said:
I guess I'm the exception. I made pens for about two years, just for gifts and my own use. But I like all kinds of wood working and I can't stick to just one thing. So I'm on to other things now. I still like pens and will make one for a special gift or something. The problem is I make so few now that it is almost a new learning experience when I do make one. There are just so many things to build and so little time. Currently in the process of building a Street Organ (hand crank) then I want to build a rose engine lathe that I have had to plans for for years. And I see a metal lathe in my future maybe that will include building some kitless pens. But I still love pens and that is why I hang out here.
Click to expand...

I guess I fall into Paul's category too... I started doing pens about 12 + years back, but while I still love making them, I want to turn many more things and find myself doing more bowls, hollow forms, pepper mills and such now than pens.... recently the pastor at the church gave me a small load of wood and offered more if I wanted... he had about half a tree of spalted hackberry... some in the 16-18 inch diameter logs....I made a crematory urn from one of the logs... his mother in law fell in love with it and ordered one for herself - he paid for it ?? .... also since he gave me the wood, I made a chalice and paten for his collection, then he ordered one for the church - which I donated... now I find myself wanting to make more of them... and I have at least 3 urns in various stages of turning... there's no end... at least not until I have to fill one of those urns.:biggrin:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom