Do you share all???

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Do you have a pen turning secret that you do not want to share

  • YES

    Votes: 16 23.2%

  • NO

    Votes: 53 76.8%
  • Total voters
    69
jttheclockman

jttheclockman

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Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
19,947
Location
NJ, USA.
Was looking through some old threads the other day and a few caught my attention and it has been a long time ago when asked and a whole different set of players here these days. So it may be an interesting topic. May have a few others.

The question is and lets keep it to pen turning being that is the bulk of this site, do you share and show all aspects of your pen making adventures??? That is are you keeping some secret about pen making for fear of being copied, exploited to the fact that it is mass produced, unsafe to share, or just never been asked about it?? Maybe you could hint as to what area it is that you have the secret such as maybe casting, finishing, creating a special blank and so forth. Not asking you to reveal any secrets just some chatter. I think I will even put a simple poll up. Thanks in advance.

This question would include any real high dollar pen that you make and sell but have never shown here for fear of the above mentioned concerns.
 
Last edited:
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You sure do ask personal questions! :biggrin: Just kidding!

Me - secrets? No. Well, yes a little. My secrets are basically ideas that I haven't seen and have not yet tried - design wise. I hate (for myself) divulging info and what I am going to do until after I know that it can be done. Kinda like Henry Ford's quote: "You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do."

I enjoy seeing others build on my ideas and improving it. And most of the time, my ideas get triggered by someone else. I told my kids: I do the best I can, and I hope you do even better.
 
Since I'm not a seller of anything, I have nothing to lose by sharing and only friends to gain. If for some reason I have inspired someone, that's my reward. The only time I will hold back for a little while is if I have an idea for a bash pen or blank. Sometimes its a year or so until I get what I want, but after I post its an open license to improve.
 
No secrets here. My pen turning is very basic and is what everyone here is capable of doing. I do enjoy seeing the advanced skills that many on here have and their imagination is amazing. I also understand why some do not want to share all their secrets.
 
I put Yes. Because it's true.

Those that really know me know that I'm pretty much an open book. Need help with casting...I'm your guy. Want to learn how to make a custom pen...my door is always open.

Want to ask me to give away in detail how I do certain things that I sell to put food on my little girls plate and you'll be out of luck. There's a reason why I'm not seen here very often and that's bc I grew tired of the hate mail bc I wouldn't give away how I made something. Those are the people that suck IAP (Imitate Another Penmaker) dry to where they become bitter. They're not in it to help others, only themselves.
 
I also answered yes, because that's the truth.

For example, to make an eight-loop Celtic knot, I had to figure out how to mill a perfect octagon. I don't mind telling people what I did, but I'm not quick to tell people how I did it. I figured it out myself; somebody else can too. Plus, I don't want to be responsible for somebody cutting off their fingers because their skill level with power tools isn't on par with, or greater than, mine.
 
I'm always glad to share everything I know.

BUT I've also taught various subjects for 40+ years, so students are eager to learn and challenge me.

I do humbly request referencing (attribution) when my published ideas are used.

I realize this is a delicate matter, and certainly respect patents, trademarks, etc.

I stopped patenting inventions when the costs exploded and infringements were everywhere.

Just my 2 cents.

- Bob
 
I voted no because this isn't rocket science and it's supposed to be a learning process. Even rocket scientists share information.
All that said, I don't do pens much anymore... I actually got bored with the process and now do more bowls, peppermills, tea lights, hollow forms and such.
 
I was looking for a "it depends" answer to check.

I'm willing to explain everything to people who have made the effort and who are capable of understanding. I'm less inclined to invest the time and effort to try to help people who aren't willing to help themselves by doing the hard work it takes to get to the point where they can understand everything I can explain.

I'm always willing to go the extra mile to share with the "givers" on the forum.

Ed
 
I see there are quite a few here that have the secret ingredients to make that special pen. We have ways to make you talk:devil::devil::hypnotized::hypnotized:

There are some good reasons and I am sure there are many more. Just thought it would be interesting. :smile:

By the way I do not have any secrets but as mentioned if working on something for a contest I will hold it till then. Anyone can ask me anything they want. Now I may make you work for all the answers but at least it shows me you are trying.

Keep them coming.:smile:
 
This is an interesting topic. I will throw this out there, there have been several people who have shared things with me. Fred Wissen, for one, has always been there and have an open shop when I ran into troubles or questions. Now say I found a way to cast Jello and Pudding into a blank, and selling the blanks hand over fist, however everyone wants to know how I did it. Fred gives me a call and wants to know how it is done, do I share that information with him or the others that have helped me over the years?
 
edicehouse said:
This is an interesting topic. I will throw this out there, there have been several people who have shared things with me. Fred Wissen, for one, has always been there and have an open shop when I ran into troubles or questions. Now say I found a way to cast Jello and Pudding into a blank, and selling the blanks hand over fist, however everyone wants to know how I did it. Fred gives me a call and wants to know how it is done, do I share that information with him or the others that have helped me over the years?
Click to expand...


Only you can make that call. Look at it this way. Those same people may have helped you along the way to develop those skills that got you to the point of you developing that method. It is the same thing in my trade. We come into the trade as an apprentice and we rely on our teachers and fellow journeyman to share their knowledge that gets us to the point when they leave the trade we can carry on and then the cycle continues.


As I said I will not debate weather it is right or wrong to keep secrets. That is again an individual thing. There are many reasons as to why we do it as well as many reasons as to why we do not. Sometimes it comes down to personalities and what is inside us. Some people think they will go to their final resting place with those secrets but someone somewhere will come along and develop the same method or idea but at a different time and once again the thought process will follow. Should I share or not. Some interesting thoughts so far. Keep them coming.:smile:
 
Answered "Yes" even though I really don't have any secrets. But hey if I appear that I do, I'll seem more secretive and thus can charge more for my pens right because now you're getting that mysterious secret indredient...right?
 
I get aggravated when someone post's something new. It's like everyone expects them to write a 10 page article telling them how they did it. My theory is to figure it out yourself!! My only trade secrets involve fixing cars. No chance I'm telling people my secret's. Now if you'd like to spend the weekend in the shop, i'll show you everything I know. Just bring a pen and paper :wink:
 
I answered no. I'm new. However, I'm a bit ambitious so when ever I figure out or learn something from the help of those here. I end up making a drawing and writing out how I did it, and sharing it.

Mostly because the info was given to me, I didn't pay for it, so I share it.

The only thing I stay tight lipped about is what I'm planning for next year's Fair Entry, that and I keep changing my mind.

Thank you for all the help (especially John, sorry for all the questions).
 
I do not have any secrets I will not share, but I do not share my tools.
I do not lend or borrow any tools.
I have been burned too many times, and tools are expensive these days.

Not just wood turning tools, ALL tools are expensive these days.

I had a neighbor here years ago that borrowed a pair of Channellocks
from me & actually returned them...broken.
He wasn't too happy when I made him replace them.
 
Herb G said:
I do not have any secrets I will not share, but I do not share my tools.
I do not lend or borrow any tools.
I have been burned too many times, and tools are expensive these days.

Not just wood turning tools, ALL tools are expensive these days.

I had a neighbor here years ago that borrowed a pair of Channellocks
from me & actually returned them...broken.
He wasn't too happy when I made him replace them.
Click to expand...

Did you know that channellocks company has a return policy. Or at least they use to. There were quite a few different tool companies that allowed you to send them back the broken tool and replace for free. Klien was another . We all know about Craftsman and Snap-On tools but limited.
 
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