Christmas wish list help

[JasonF]

With Christmas getting closer I was wondering what the best and wost items you have purchased or received as a gift for pen turning. I.e., what are your 2 or 3 most loved or useful items and top 2 or 3 things you wouldn't spend the money on again and why.

 

[Penmonkey]

My best gift was a Jet mini lathe from my Dad.[] I'm hoping for a sorby 3/8 gouge, mine is getting quite short.

 

[Jerryconn]

The worst thing I have spent money on is the disassembly tools that folks like WC and others sale, I bought the punches at HF and they work just fine for a lot less money. Not sure of your spending limit but one of the better things I have spent money on is an 8" slow speed grinder the the Wolverine sharpening jigs.

 

[ed4copies]

The slow speed, wet grinder will help keep your tools longer (combining your question with one answer). And, if your shop looks like mine, it will eliminate the sparks that could start your sawdust on fire.

My other "favorite purchase", in retrospect is my dust collector. I didn't think I needed one, until I got it.

 

[JimGo]

Best:
1) MicroMesh
2) Paul Huffman vise
3) Medium odorless CA glue

Worst:
1) Original style self-centering vise from PSI (over all, still not a bad purchase if you can't get a Paul H. vise, but your money is MUCH better spent on one of his vises)
2) Pre-drilled Rosewood blanks from PSI
3) Any pen kit with 24K or 10K gold finish

 

[Dario]

Too many on the good side.

On the worst...I agree with:
Jerry on the disassembly kits,
JimGo on the 24k and 10k plated kits
A collection of finishing materials I don't use
Another thing to avoid at all cost...cheap sandpaper.

 

[gerryr]

Worst
Cheap combination belt and disc sander from Home Depot.
Berea Round Top European rollerball and fountain pens, doesn't matter which plating, they're all crap
3M sandpaper - just say NO
"Stabilized" wood from Gadgetswood on eBay

Best
3/4" Crown Pro-PM radius skew
Micro Mesh
Beall collet chuck

Soon to be added to the best list is a PHD vise.[]

 

[Skye]

Mini chuck for the lathe. Use it a lot.

 

[Ron Mc]

My best additions would have to be:
Paul Huffman vise
Wolverine sharpening system

 

[wdcav1952]

Best, Paul Huffman vise and Beall collet chuck.

Worst, too (censored) many to list!

 

[Geo in Winnipeg]

Best:
PH vise
Beall collett chuck
Drill Doctor
HF punches

Worst:
any 24k or 10k plated kits
many others too numerous to list

 

[kenwc]

Best:
Wolverine Sharpening System with Woodcraft SS grinder
Live Center from Little Machine Shop
Beal Buff System
Sorby Beading tools
NORSEMAN MAGNUM DRILL BIT SET!!!!!!
PH Vise (don't have it yet but I'm sure it's in this category)

Worse:
Rockler 29 piece brad point drill bit set
PSI Pen Vise
PSI Pen Press (the thing flexes)
Any "Plated" kit

 

[mrcook4570]

Originally posted by kenwc
<br />Any "Plated" kit

They are all plated except .925 sterling El Grande and Flat Top.


Best item purchased - I agree with what most have already said.

Best item received - Gift Certificates!

 

[JasonF]

Thanks for all the insight, now I can't wait for Christmas!