Thanks for accepting me into the association. I have been retired from the Air Force for a few years. Shortly after my retirement I bought a 79 Corvette and tore it down to near nothing, including engine and transmission removal, and restored it. I turned my garage into a paint booth and even painted and clear coated the car. I didn't have every single tool I needed but made do by improvising and only buying new tools when absolutely necessary. I even used a skateboard to lift and align the transmission for re installation. By the time I was done I had had enough of restoring cars. I sold the car and now I'm looking for another passion that's not so physically demanding. So, I am new to pen turning and didn't even know it existed until a few weeks ago when a friend presented me with a pen he had turned. I was hooked as soon as I held it. I've never used a lathe but used many power tools to gut and remodel a condo. The wife and I did everything ourselves except tool the granite countertops. That project is completely done so now I'm researching the tools to get started pen turning.
I've read through some forums and have many of the same questions most newbies have. My biggest concern is the lathe since it seems to be the most pricey. For my price range (established by the wife) it seems I have two choices...the basic pen making starter set with turncrafter commander 10 inch VSML for $399.65 or the rikon 70-100 12x16 MSML lathe alone for $375.99 on sale. My gut says the Rikon but my lazy brain says the VSML.
1. Which is best?
2. If I go with the Rikon how do I figure out which pen mandrel it requires (#1 or #2)?
3. And does the PennStateInd drilling haed/tail chucks work with the rikon for drilling blanks? If not, how do I know what to order elsewhere?
Please let me know if I'm missing something but to get started I need: a lathe, pen mandrel, turning chisels, blanks, tubes, barrel trimmer, CA glue, bushings, sandpaper, polish, pen press, and pen kits.
If I want to drill my own blanks I need: some sort of drill press or chucks for the lathe, pen kit (size) specific drill bit, vice to hold the blank square, and blanks.
When ordering pen kits, does each pen kit come with bushings, tubes, and drill bits? Or does it all vary depending on the pen kit?
So many questions and this is probably not the right area but I thank you in advance for the patience. Thanks again for accepting me into the association.
I've read through some forums and have many of the same questions most newbies have. My biggest concern is the lathe since it seems to be the most pricey. For my price range (established by the wife) it seems I have two choices...the basic pen making starter set with turncrafter commander 10 inch VSML for $399.65 or the rikon 70-100 12x16 MSML lathe alone for $375.99 on sale. My gut says the Rikon but my lazy brain says the VSML.
1. Which is best?
2. If I go with the Rikon how do I figure out which pen mandrel it requires (#1 or #2)?
3. And does the PennStateInd drilling haed/tail chucks work with the rikon for drilling blanks? If not, how do I know what to order elsewhere?
Please let me know if I'm missing something but to get started I need: a lathe, pen mandrel, turning chisels, blanks, tubes, barrel trimmer, CA glue, bushings, sandpaper, polish, pen press, and pen kits.
If I want to drill my own blanks I need: some sort of drill press or chucks for the lathe, pen kit (size) specific drill bit, vice to hold the blank square, and blanks.
When ordering pen kits, does each pen kit come with bushings, tubes, and drill bits? Or does it all vary depending on the pen kit?
So many questions and this is probably not the right area but I thank you in advance for the patience. Thanks again for accepting me into the association.