My first pens

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Aeternyx

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Jan 5, 2021
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IL, USA
Hi everyone,
I just thought I would share my first few pens. My wife bought me my lathe for Christmas in 2019. I was very excited but I'm embarrassed to say it took me 11 months to get the garage cleared and a spot made for it. Since then I've turned 4 pens (and blown up 2 others. RIP)

The first was made from olive wood which I gifted to my wife. The next 3 were deer antler bullet pens which I am gifting to my father-in-law and two brother-in-laws, all of whom are avid hunters.

So far its been a ton of fun and I'm really enjoying it. Looking forward to going back to wood for a bit though. The antlers are pretty but I don't love working with them.
 

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Alan Morrison

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Jan 15, 2019
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These do not look like someone's first pens.
They are well turned and a great start.
I am sure that your pens were well received.
And, Welcome to the forum.

Alan
 

Aeternyx

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2021
Messages
13
Location
IL, USA
These do not look like someone's first pens.
They are well turned and a great start.
I am sure that your pens were well received.
And, Welcome to the forum.

Alan
Thank you! What you can't see is the 4-5 blanks I destroyed because I can't drill a straight line, or the one I super glued to the bushing and destroyed getting apart. But the upside of having an 11 month delayed start is I had a lot of time to read and watch YouTube videos so I learned a lot about CA finishes and whatnot from that. It's really enjoyable and I look forward to making more. :)
 

Alan Morrison

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Jan 15, 2019
Messages
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Thank you! What you can't see is the 4-5 blanks I destroyed because I can't drill a straight line, or the one I super glued to the bushing and destroyed getting apart. But the upside of having an 11 month delayed start is I had a lot of time to read and watch YouTube videos so I learned a lot about CA finishes and whatnot from that. It's really enjoyable and I look forward to making more. :)
If you drill your blanks on the lathe then you should not have any problems drilling straight.
You also know the old saying...'The man that never made a mistake never made anything '. Everyone could fill pages with the mistakes they have made and that's how you improve. When I finish a pen I always look to see how I could have made it better.
Alan
 

Aeternyx

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2021
Messages
13
Location
IL, USA
If you drill your blanks on the lathe then you should not have any problems drilling straight.
You also know the old saying...'The man that never made a mistake never made anything '. Everyone could fill pages with the mistakes they have made and that's how you improve. When I finish a pen I always look to see how I could have made it better.
Alan
Unfortunately, I don't have a Chuck yet so I don't think I can drill them on the lathe? But my parents gifted me a rockler drill guide for Christmas and that seems like it will help tremendously.
 

sorcerertd

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Joined
Sep 30, 2019
Messages
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Location
North Carolina, USA
Welcome. Have to agree those are awfully nice first pens! I personally feel that the bolt action pens are nice to start with, even if they are a little pricier than some other options. It's almost an instant cool pen!

The accessories can add up fast, but for making pens, the $30 for a chuck will be worth the investment for the time you save. Of course, then you will need a chuck and pen jaws to hold the blank, too. Hmm, and then... well, I still don't know where that road ends. Anybody else know? At least it's an enjoyable ride.
 

Aeternyx

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2021
Messages
13
Location
IL, USA
Welcome. Have to agree those are awfully nice first pens! I personally feel that the bolt action pens are nice to start with, even if they are a little pricier than some other options. It's almost an instant cool pen!

The accessories can add up fast, but for making pens, the $30 for a chuck will be worth the investment for the time you save. Of course, then you will need a chuck and pen jaws to hold the blank, too. Hmm, and then... well, I still don't know where that road ends. Anybody else know? At least it's an enjoyable ride.
Yeah the chuck/jaws will be my next big purchase but that will have to wait a month or two. Looking forward to it though!
 

Micky D

Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2021
Messages
28
Location
Lexington,NC
Hi everyone,
I just thought I would share my first few pens. My wife bought me my lathe for Christmas in 2019. I was very excited but I'm embarrassed to say it took me 11 months to get the garage cleared and a spot made for it. Since then I've turned 4 pens (and blown up 2 others. RIP)

The first was made from olive wood which I gifted to my wife. The next 3 were deer antler bullet pens which I am gifting to my father-in-law and two brother-in-laws, all of whom are avid hunters.

So far its been a ton of fun and I'm really enjoying it. Looking forward to going back to wood for a bit though. The antlers are pretty but I don't love working with them.
Nice looking pens! We can't see the blown ones because you didn't post a pic- therefore, they don't exist. So! No worries!! We've all destroyed blanks. It happens. Just keep at it.




Sent from my iPhone using Penturners.org mobile app
Great job. I have only made 2 antler pens and not a big fan of them yet I did sell one.
 
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