Pen kits suggestions for cheap

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JohnU

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Joined
Jan 31, 2008
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4,924
Location
Ottawa, Illinois
I try not to use the word "cheap" but rather affordable. Lol. Remember, you get what you pay for. Go too "cheap" and the plating may wear off from normal use. You don't want the reputation of making junk.

I guess it all depends on what look your going for. Most of the commonly used pen kits have different platings that alter their price range. I like the durability of chrome for the less expensive platings. I make a lot of pens that fit in a pocket or are comfortable to used. I Usually stay away from overly themed kits unless requested or donating to an interest group. I like the blank to make the statement, not the metal parts. Myself, I like the Sierra line and Jr lines. There are just so many to pick from now a days.
 

RobS

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Joined
Jun 20, 2016
Messages
1,037
Location
Carlsbad, CA

$5.45, single barrel, big seller. Works great for both genders and works great for small or large hands, fits your pollo shirt easily. They also have a gun metal or gold version. Gun metal sells more for me, but it cost $6.45
 

Jmaxcy

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Joined
Mar 28, 2021
Messages
179
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I would second Rob's suggestion.
I started off with executive twist because it's one barrel, so no need to match up grains, etc. also the bushings are the same size on each end so no real need to shape at all if you don't want to. Lastly it's a smaller tube at less than 3 inches So if you get a slightly oversized blank bigger than 6 inches you can get two pens out of it. Oh also the assembly is super easy.

similar to the executive twist is the rollester pen. Same kind of turning (single tube, easy installation) but has a cap rather than a twist mechanism cost around the same.

Attaching a pic of an executive and rollester I turned not too long ago for reference. Enjoy and good luck
 

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qquake

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Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
5,007
Location
Northern California
I like the Gatsby pens, both regular and Grande versions. Similar to the Sierra pens, but because of the "beads", they're more forgiving when it comes to body diameter. The Gatsby Grande is thicker, but the tube is only 3/8" diameter, leaving more "meat". Great for semi translucent acrylics. And like KenB, I also like the Editor/Little Giant pens. Very inexpensive kits, but people seem to really like them. I made them for some people at work for Christmas, and they were well received. The first three photos are Gatsby, the second two are Gatsby Grande, and the last are Editor.
 

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magpens

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Joined
Feb 2, 2011
Messages
15,913
Location
Canada
@Nolan Feehan

You want a nice pen for cheap ?

Have a look at these (there are a couple of platings on sale at this price) :-


Don't forget that this price is in Canadian dollars, so, with a sale price of $2.99 CDN, that becomes only $2.37 USD.
That price is in effect up to and including Saturday April 10, 2021 (midnight eastern).
This vendor does indeed ship to the US . . I do not know how much the shipping would be to the US.

Disclaimer :- I do not have any ties to this company.
 
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sorcerertd

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Joined
Sep 30, 2019
Messages
2,655
Location
North Carolina, USA
3rd on the PSI Executive. They are pretty straight forward to make and assemble. The bead is forgiving if your barrel diameter is not right on the money, too. There are a few other kits with the beads that are good for starting out, such as the Gatsby's that have also been mentioned.

The starter set has 6 different finishes plus the bushings.
 
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