Long way to go, but HUGE progress for me...

[Flintski22]

I've been continuing to delve more and more into the world of pen turning. Recently I took a leap and bought my very own midi lathe, so now I can turn from home and not just at school. I got everything I need to pen turn completely from home.

I also started selling custom pen designs as a way to help offset the cost of my midi lathe, and I'm having some small but growing success with that. I've loved getting to make pens for neighbors, friends, and family.

I've made 11 pens total now and I feel like I'm learning more and more with each pen as well as getting more efficient at making them. I'm also way more comfortable messing with a little bit of blank segmenting, which has given me some pretty sick pens. I know that 11 is a tiny number compared to how many pens most of you have made, but I'm proud of it because I've come so far from where I started. I still have such a long ways to go, but I'm happy cuz I'm making big progress.

I've been getting all my pen kits from crooked mill woodworking because they sell good kits at really affordable prices, but I'm looking for other places to buy pens from. Today I've been browsing penn state industries and exotic blanks, but other than that where would you guys suggest getting kits from?

Also, does anyone have any cool but simple segmenting designs? If so please share cuz I'm looking for more ways to make cool shapes with segmenting. I can only do fairly simple designs though because I do all my sawing with a small handheld japanese pull saw.

Anyways, here are a couple pics of some pens I've made recently!

 

[NJturner]

Welcome to the hobby! Nice work getting going on pen making. As for different pens, I might suggest Bullseye Turning Supply, owned by Kate Harrow, a member here, as well as McKenzie Penworks, owned by Tim McKenzie, also a member here. These are more pricey and upscale pens than a lot of the others you will find in the market, but are good for special gifts. https://www.mckenziepenworks.com, https://bullseyeturningsupply.com/

 

[dschem]

Turners Warehouse is great too. https://www.turnerswarehouse.com/

 

[Alan Morrison]

Here's a link to 9 pages of segmented pens ( if you havent come across it before ) that should give you plenty of ideas when you start getting into the segmenting.

No Comments Just post new segmented pens and Likes

Please post only your segmented pens in here and don't comment on anyones work just Like it then we can keep a record of works. Hope you all like the idea. Purple Heart and Black Ash Burl on a Jr. Gent 2 Fountain in Gold

www.penturners.org

 

[JohnU]

Nice looking pens! You should be proud. On the front page of this site is a link titled.. "Where do you purchase Kits? (Poll)" circled in red. There is a complete list of sites with how many of us use them. I personally like Exotic blanks because they offer a price discount on All sets purchased and not just individual groups. Plus they are very quick to arrive. When you look for sites, don't just look at the price. They aren't all the same in quality, and you might just get what you paid…cheap.
Welcome to the site. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

 

[Flintski22]

Here's a link to 9 pages of segmented pens ( if you havent come across it before ) that should give you plenty of ideas when you start getting into the segmenting.

No Comments Just post new segmented pens and Likes

Please post only your segmented pens in here and don't comment on anyones work just Like it then we can keep a record of works. Hope you all like the idea. Purple Heart and Black Ash Burl on a Jr. Gent 2 Fountain in Gold

www.penturners.org

oh awesome thank you!

 

[Flintski22]

Nice looking pens! You should be proud. On the front page of this site is a link titled.. "Where do you purchase Kits? (Poll)" circled in red. There is a complete list of sites with how many of us use them. I personally like Exotic blanks because they offer a price discount on All sets purchased and not just individual groups. Plus they are very quick to arrive. When you look for sites, don't just look at the price. They aren't all the same in quality, and you might just get what you paid…cheap.
Welcome to the site. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Thank you! and okay, I'll make sure to pay attention to quality as well as price, to make sure I'm getting the best bang for my buck.

 

[Smokey S]

Primarily Exotic Blanks for me, although I do drift to others occasionally. Always great service, delivery and respond to messages very promptly! Oh, always M&Ms I am told, the box is always opened and M&Ms are missing. I am very sure whom the culprit is, just my wife and myself here, HA!………Smokey

 

[Flintski22]

Primarily Exotic Blanks for me, although I do drift to others occasionally. Always great service, delivery and respond to messages very promptly! Oh, always M&Ms I am told, the box is always opened and M&Ms are missing. I am very sure whom the culprit is, just my wife and myself here, HA!………Smokey

Good to hear they have good service as I'm looking to start ordering from them! Have you by chance ordered any burl or spalted pen blanks from them? I'm looking to but I'm wondering if they are good quality.

 

[Twist&Click]

Good to hear they have good service as I'm looking to start ordering from them! Have you by chance ordered any burl or spalted pen blanks from them? I'm looking to but I'm wondering if they are good quality.

Everything that Ed and Dawn sell are top quality. Have no concerns at all when you order anything from them.

 

[bugradx2]

Good to hear they have good service as I'm looking to start ordering from them! Have you by chance ordered any burl or spalted pen blanks from them? I'm looking to but I'm wondering if they are good quality.

Another vote for Ed & Dawn at Exotic Blanks. I've ordered a ton of burl & a little spalted material from them and have always been happy with what I've received. They have a great selection of stabilized "everything" in addition to blanks that aren't stabilized.