New to turning and to IAP, from Minnesota

[twelverobots]

Wow, what an inspirational place. Just poking around here and looking at threads and photos I already have a lot of new plans for pens (and pencils, and seam rippers) to turn.

My name is Jason, I live in Farmington, MN. I am a computer programmer and a hobbyist turner. I got my lathe in December and started turning pens about six weeks ago. I'm pretty well hooked now.

I recently finished grad school, and my kids are getting old enough that they don't need my attention anymore, so I found a hobby to occupy my time. I have had to force myself to slow down and spend less time in the shop. In addition to not wanting to burn out right away, I can't afford to keep making 10 pens a week. To help me slow down, and to challenge myself, I decided to jump into segmenting. Lots of glue and lots of patience. I've also started harvesting and cutting some of my own blanks when I can find available wood.

Here are some of my pens.

 

[RGVPens]

Welcome from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

 

[Jim15]

Welcome Jason. Good looking pens.

 

[KenB259]

Nice job, on most of them , I'm not a fan of your second ones, the spalted set, but to each his own. I enjoy the segmenting aspect too, so many roads to go down, one design leads to another which leads to another jig you need, there's no end. Lots to learn here, enjoy.

 

[Joebobber]

Welcome from Erie, North Dakota. Im about an hour nw of Fargo

 

[Ziegler WoodWork & Spec.]

Wow, what an inspirational place. Just poking around here and looking at threads and photos I already have a lot of new plans for pens (and pencils, and seam rippers) to turn.

My name is Jason, I live in Farmington, MN. I am a computer programmer and a hobbyist turner. I got my lathe in December and started turning pens about six weeks ago. I'm pretty well hooked now.

I recently finished grad school, and my kids are getting old enough that they don't need my attention anymore, so I found a hobby to occupy my time. I have had to force myself to slow down and spend less time in the shop. In addition to not wanting to burn out right away, I can't afford to keep making 10 pens a week. To help me slow down, and to challenge myself, I decided to jump into segmenting. Lots of glue and lots of patience. I've also started harvesting and cutting some of my own blanks when I can find available wood.

Here are some of my pens.

View attachment 330207View attachment 330208View attachment 330209View attachment 330211View attachment 330212

Hey Jason,

Nice job on the pens. I'm sad I've only done one so far but also did some duck calls for the grand kids but I have several pen kits and blanks
waiting. PS there is no such thing as shop burnout. lol Like your doing move around on projects and swing right back around.
You wait you will so have such a tool and turning addiction, and the best part is the only cure is more tools and more turning.
Keep up the great work

Kind regards,

Tim

 

[Djbrax]

Welcome from Natchitohes, Louisiana. Great looking segmenting on that bolt action.

 

[Alan Morrison]

Welcome to the forum, Jason and especially to the world of segmenting.
For inspiration click 'Forums' then scroll down to 'Blank Making sub forum Segmenting' and click the first thread ' No comments.........'
You will find 9 pages of some lovely segmented pens.
If I knew how to put the link in for you I would!!!!
There is plenty of segmenting advice in the library. ( Apologies if you have already found these sites, It took me months before I found them )
Alan

 

[egnald]

Greetings from Nebraska and welcome to the IAP community. It looks like you have come a long ways for only making pens for 6 weeks. I am really jealous of all of the Woodcraft and Rockler stores in your area. I have relatives in the Kimball area up by St. Cloud. I used to drive up from South Dakota through Pipestone, Marshall, Wilmar, etc. to get there. A side trip down highway 55 was always a lot of fun. - Dave

 

[Fuzzy63]

Hi Jason, Welcome to IAP.
Gary

 

[tomtedesco]

Welcome from Colorado.

 

[studioseven]

Welcome Jason from your neighbor to the east (Wisconsin). I had to look up where Farmington was in Minnesota. If your schedule allows, I highly recommend the MPG (Midwest Pen Gathering) coming up this April 22 and 23rd outside of Chicago, Illinois. Lots of seminars and demonstrations on subjects related to pen turning. There will also be vendors selling pen turning supplies. Its fun to meet other penturners and talk about this addictive hobby of ours. They also have great door prizes. Hope you can make it.

Seven

 

[Amanap]

Welcome from Florida.

 

[Wayne]

Hello and Welcome to our home. We have many ideas and tutorials for your review.

Here's an Introductory Document for Reference.

Welcome Quick Start Reference for New Members

This is a good Quick Start document for new members. It offer many links. Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. Author: Wayne Racinowski

www.penturners.org

Take a look at our Library of Tutorials listed on the Home Page under "General Announcements".

International Association of Penturners

International Association of Penturners

www.penturners.org

Here is a direct link to the Library of Tutorials Menu.

IAP Library Menu of Tutorials (Last Update 4-3-2024)

IAP Library Menu of Tutorials (Last Update 4-3-2024) Search All Current Library Resources View Latest Additions - Last 6 Months CATEGORIES

www.penturners.org

Here's a list of world wide Pen Suppliers.

World Wide Pen Suppliers - Revised 3-23-2024

Please notify Library Manager of Additional Suppliers. This is a Revision to World Wide Pen Suppliers List - Revised 3-23-2024 Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. IAP Supplier Poll...

www.penturners.org

Let me know if you find any others.

Have Fun!

 

[Joebobber]

Hi where in MN is Farmington? How far are you to Fargo, ND?

 

[twelverobots]

Hi where in MN is Farmington? How far are you to Fargo, ND?

We're in SE MN. About 4 hours from Fargo. We were in Fargo not long ago for my son's hockey tournament.