Penpro question

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J

jzerger

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Feb 7, 2012
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I started using a penpro a couple months ago so I could turn trustone and antler more "readily". And I love it for these and acrylics; no blowouts or sharpening. I started with the r2 but like the r4 even more. My question is: do you use this tool with wood also? I've had more blowouts with wood blanks using the penpro than I ever did with a skew/gouge. I've read some use the penpro for all their pen making...does this include wood? I'm having more "catches". Too deep a cut? Thanks for the input.
John
 
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jzerger said:
I started using a penpro a couple months ago so I could turn trustone and antler more "readily". And I love it for these and acrylics; no blowouts or sharpening. I started with the r2 but like the r4 even more. My question is: do you use this tool with wood also? I've had more blowouts with wood blanks using the penpro than I ever did with a skew/gouge. I've read some use the penpro for all their pen making...does this include wood? I'm having more "catches". Too deep a cut? Thanks for the input.
John
Click to expand...

I would never use the r4 for turning wood. I do use the r2 almost exclusively. With wood the r4 seems to catch more easily that does the r2. However, I bought Ken's "round 1" and just finished a batch of acrylic razor handles and I am anxious to try this on some wooden pen blanks. It worked wonderfully on the acrylic handles. These tools are the best!!!!

Dan
 
The R4 on wood may well be your problem. The 4 likes to cut straight lines, the R2 does a better job on radius or contoured profiles.

You likely got an R2 and R4 with the tool purchase. My first thought would be to swap to the R2 and leave everything else in your routine the same. Then, try to duplicate your previous actions on a scrap blank.

I hope this helps!
 
John...

I have been using the Woodchuck with the R2 and R4 inserts on wood for close to two years (about 300 pens). I haven't had any blow outs or major grab problems using either of the inserts on wood.

Wade
 
Sorry to bump an old thread but I thought it might be better than starting a new one. I have the woodchuck pen pro and I have the opposite problem of the OP
I seem to be blowing out acrylic left and right using the pen pro. I'm using the R4, using it just at or under center on the blank and trying to keep it as level as possible. I start with a roughing gouge to get round, then start cutting down with the pen pro. Sometimes as I go it leaves little chips as I take material down that I have to later touch up by turning down slightly further. This seems to be annoying but not a huge issue (although I assume my technique could use some adjusting to avoid this).. Once I'm getting down to size and it's looking great, I'm blowing up 50% or more of them. I'm trying to use the lightest touch possible but it's still happening. No chatter or warning, just as I'm getting close to the final size with light touches the blank will explode.. Is there a step I'm missing or a good how to/demo video. I checked youtube but not really seeing anything helpful yet. When it comes to wood or mixed materials (cactus in alumilite, stabilized wood) I'm not having much if any issues at all. It cuts nize clean and fast.

PS - I've seen the youtube video from the woodchuck tip sheet. I notice his tool is angled up at the blank slightly to get on center, is this what I should do? I've got my rest set so if my tool is setting perfectly level in my hands it is at the center or just a touch under
 
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I use my woodchuck on wood, acrylic, antler, trustone, everything. I have the bowl chuck, I think its called, with a long handle. Not much vibration or chatter. If there is any, I move the toolrest closer to the material. That has helped for me. The long handle really helps keep it stable. I use the r-4 for about everything. I also don't let them get too dull. LIght touches is the key when you are near the finished product and sometimes it helps to quit on the second to last pass. 8-)
 
@REKAB:
Two things. First try switching to the R2 insert instead of the R4. IMHO, the 2 is much more user friendly to new users.

Second, PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION to the tool rest with the WoodChuck. You should NEVER be more than 1/4 inch away from the blank AND it will cut much higher on the blank than you think.

The PenPro is SO SHARP that if you are too low OR too far away from the blank that any little hand wiggle is like using a VERY EFFICENT crow bar of rip up flooring.

Respectfully submitted.
 
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