"Plastics" turning

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Do you "know how" to turn all or some resins?

  • No, I am a WOODturner

    Votes: 4 2.6%

  • I have turned "plastic", only under duress!

    Votes: 7 4.6%

  • I like plastic, but I suck at turning it.

    Votes: 2 1.3%

  • I turn both acrylic and resin--ruin many

    Votes: 8 5.3%

  • I turn both acrylic and resin -- pretty comfortable

    Votes: 97 64.2%

  • Put the stuff on the lathe and back off--pen coming!! I'm a MASTER!!

    Votes: 33 21.9%
  • Total voters
    151
  • Poll closed .
ed4copies

ed4copies

Local Chapter Manager
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
24,687
Location
Racine, WI, USA.
Has the "penturning" population changed their practices?

Are you comfortable turning resins? Or does the term "woodturner" apply to you?
 
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Ed, what I have found is, there are more people (usually woman) who prefer the acrylics there are some who like wood but it seems they like the colors of the acrylics were as a few men like the grain patterns and structure of a wood pen. This is only my opinion and since acrylic sells that's what I make. Personally I prefer wood.
 
To clarify the question. When we had our first IAP meeting in Milwaukee-there was not ONE person who turned plastic (except me)--about 15 were there.

This past meeting, I demonstrated turning acrylester and Dawn's resin. About 15 attended, and they all seemed to have some background in turning plastics.

So, I am curious if Milwaukee is representative of the "overall turning population".

That's the background of this question.
 
Voted the last choice...but I don't consider myself a Master of Anything! Would have chose the "I can turn wood, PR, WW, B-n-S, and just about anything with enough effort".....



Scott (can make a decent pen though) B
 
Sorry Ed on my first reply I did not notice the Poll (must learn to read all directions), and I will turn anything but I am far from a what I would consider a "Master"
 
burr said:
Sorry Ed on my first reply I did not notice the Poll (must learn to read all directions), and I will turn anything but I am far from a what I would consider a "Master"
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Mike, you did not NOTICE the poll, because you replied before I got the darn thing done!!!!

I appreciate all replies--but real fast ones can miss some of the details---certainly NOT your fault!!:biggrin::biggrin:
 
Wood, plastic, resin, antler - even tried a piece of coral I found at the beach last week (tried being the operative word - on the lathe, it might as well have been chalk)!

Hey, you gonna eat that zucchini? I could make a pen outta that...
:cool:
 
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Actually, I learned to turn using acrylics. Didn't try wood until my 7th pen.

Pretty comfortable, still have some minor chipping issues on occasion, but no more destroyed blanks. The biggest difference was when I got the Tormek.

.
 
Ed, I certainly can't speak to 15 years ago, but when I started turning in early 2009 I turned only wood. Then, for some stupid reason I turned a piece of plastic. Now, I rarely turn wood unless the stock is a very unique burl, highly figured, or has some other type of WOW factor. "Average" looking pieces of wood I try to segment into something unique. There are just too many awesome plastics out there, not to mention casein, ebonite, bakelite, etc. I am by no means an expert at any of this but my theory is that is I want to sell any pens I need to have something that stands out from all the other talented pen turners. Modding pens with unique material is what I am going for.

Mike
 
I've not been making pens very long. When I started it was only wood. Once I got into alternate products I am hooked. As Mike said, it has to have that WOW factor to attract attention. I've got stacks of wood blanks so will continue to turn wood , but it will have to be a special highly figured blank.

Carl
 
Way back when I started turning about 8 years ago I turned wood, but after two days I discovered resins and I haven't been much interested in wood since then.

Occasionally a buyer comes along looking for wood and maybe 10 out of 300 pens I have out are made of wood, most of those are olive wood and burls. I really like to try to have what customers are looking for, but I don't like it so much that I'm willing to build up a big wood pen inventory for the occasional wood buyer. Often I succeed in making a resin buyer out of them anyway.
 
I trurn about an equal number of woods and "Plastics" I've probably turned most everything available. Some turn the same some turn differently. I voted in the last category but I'm by no means a master but I do put it on the lathe and don't really think about it.....I just turn it. Most materials after the first touch or two with your tool and you know how it's going to turn.
 
The only thing that I've found that I haven't successfully turned to date is a piece of phenolic (even sent a piece to you, Ed, and haven't seen a pen yet :tongue:).

Given all that, I once considered myself a woodworker, now I just use the term artist.
 
ed4copies said:
To clarify the question. When we had our first IAP meeting in Milwaukee-there was not ONE person who turned plastic (except me)--about 15 were there.

This past meeting, I demonstrated turning acrylester and Dawn's resin. About 15 attended, and they all seemed to have some background in turning plastics.

So, I am curious if Milwaukee is representative of the "overall turning population".

That's the background of this question.
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Whaaaa???! I must not have raised my hand since I figured you knew my answer....

I choose expert in the poll... Given about 3 years experience turning that felt really weird, but since I havn't found anything that I can't turn (now being happy with the final results is a different issue)... and honestly can't remember the last explosion (crap... I know what the next session at the lathe will be like :eek:).

I even tried some extruded polysomething (LOL) my FIL gave me from one of his injection molder... possible, but just wrong!
 
I consider myself a pen maker. I love a nice wooden pen, The "plastics" seem to have more variety of patterns and colors and are easier to finish. I have gotten better at finishing wooden pen lately really they are easier to do than a "plastic". Now this fall we will see what I can sell i have good inventory of both. I can ruin both types of blank with ease also.
 
SDB777 said:
Voted the last choice...but I don't consider myself a Master of Anything! Would have chose the "I can turn wood, PR, WW, B-n-S, and just about anything with enough effort".....



Scott (can make a decent pen though) B
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I feel like this also applies to me. I am FAR from a master, but there aren't any materials that i am afraid of. I have been successful with pretty much every material I have turned. Alt. Ivory, Alt. Amber, trustone, engineered granite, stuff cast in resin, etc. etc.
 
I mostly turn "plastics" and deer antler. When I turn wood pens, I get a "thats nice" reaction. When I have a plastic/antler/or cob pen I get a "Oh wow, how much" reaction. Being a guy, I like the wood pens, but I dont care what I turn as long as $$ comes in.

having said that, I am no where near a "master" and I dont even play one on TV. But I do have fun with whatever I am turning
 
not a master of a dang thing, but i will turn wood, antler, resins. I try to improve with every pen I turn....sometimes it works, sometimes....Not so much ;)
 
I make pen blanks with plastics of one sort or another or laminated woods almost exclusively now. People marvel at the design work and colors. I do love wood grain, but wood-only pens are being manufactured in China and by every retired guy I meet in flea markets, so the value of a wood pen around here isn't very high.

I make what sells for the most money and gives me the most satisfaction. I'm not in this to cover my hard costs and be happy with that. The hobby is about making functional works of art that from the buyer or users point of view don't look like a Mont Blanc, but are of as high a quality instrument and highly unique.

(BTW, I no longer think that MB is that great of a pen, but this isn't about what I think or you think, it's what the paying customer thinks and most still think it's something special!)
 
If your going to sell in the high end market you'll find you just about can't give a wood pen away, have you seen many wood pens made by Ancora,Cartier,Dunhill,Aurora,Signum,Omas,Mont Blanc etc.
That being said there's no getting away from a great looking pen made of burl wood, but as I wanted to distance myself from Chinese imported wood pen and the hobbyist that is just trying to spend a week-end making enough to cover his investment and replacement of his kits I now do 99% of all my pens from exotic non wood and man made materials.
 
I'm still a beginner compared to a lot of the people here, but I really enjoy turning the non-wood materials. The colors and the shines attract a lot of attention and that generates sales. When you show someone a pen made of corn cob or corian the response is usually of amazement and wonder, again generating interest in the craft and appreciating the uniqueness of the item. For woods I find that Purpleheart generates a lot of interest and when I make pens of maples and dye them they also attract a lot of attention. I'm currently working on a laser cut inlay kit, which is also an interesting pen. I want to get into casting and segmenting to have some more unique blanks to work with. If the plan is to sell then we have to separate ourselves from each other right?
 
I'll turn both. I turn more wood than plastic but simply because I am retired money is tight and most of the wood I get is free. But unless the wood has something going for it like wild grain, colouring or spalting it never gets off the lathe, I just keep going down to the brass tube and start over with another piece. I've just started playing with my own PR so we will see what happens there. I've got more time than money so for now mostly wood.
 
Rick_G said:
I'll turn both. I turn more wood than plastic but simply because I am retired money is tight and most of the wood I get is free. But unless the wood has something going for it like wild grain, colouring or spalting it never gets off the lathe, I just keep going down to the brass tube and start over with another piece. I've just started playing with my own PR so we will see what happens there. I've got more time than money so for now mostly wood.
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As the kids say, "That is just WRONG on so many levels!!"

I see "Canadian Peacekeepers" on your signature. Tie in with somebody who will give you the kits and materials to turn pens for your troops!!! In the USA, a local WoodCraft will do it. Post a thread and get free kits and materials to make pens for your Canadian Troops.
 
Ed, I would have loved to answer, but it wouldn't have been an honest one. I love the look at the alt. materials and got my woodchckie and can't wait to get rolling soon. I like to say to those guys that some of the most beautiful blanks I have seen on line are the combinations of wood and resins. So, I wonder if our creativity with wood has gone south. If we were to make a furniture projects we wouldn't bash wood that much, so why for pen making. As creative as some of the folks are here I am sure they can whip up some fine looking wood combo. pens. IMO, I think the patients of some of the members are wearing out as for working with wood to mix and match them for new designs. I maybe wrong.
 
I voted 2nd to last group. It's been awhile since I've had a total disaster. Theres alot I have yet to turn so I am far from being a master. Heck I've never even stayed at a holiday inn. But I get better results (sales) with "alternative materials" than I do wood.
 
ed4copies said:
I see "Canadian Peacekeepers" on your signature. Tie in with somebody who will give you the kits and materials to turn pens for your troops!!! In the USA, a local WoodCraft will do it. Post a thread and get free kits and materials to make pens for your Canadian Troops.
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Tried that Ed. Canadians just don't seem to have the patriotism blood in their genes. One company offered kits at 1/2 price but their half price for most was still more expensive than the place I normally get the kits at full price. That's another reason I do mostly wood, the pens for our troops I make (well over 100 so far) I try and make from local Canadian wood but stick with crotchwood, spalted or burls that have nice figure. Also dye some for extra punch. A letter of support goes with each pen.
 
phillywood said:
Ed, I would have loved to answer, but it wouldn't have been an honest one. I love the look at the alt. materials and got my woodchckie and can't wait to get rolling soon. I like to say to those guys that some of the most beautiful blanks I have seen on line are the combinations of wood and resins. So, I wonder if our creativity with wood has gone south. If we were to make a furniture projects we wouldn't bash wood that much, so why for pen making. As creative as some of the folks are here I am sure they can whip up some fine looking wood combo. pens. IMO, I think the patients of some of the members are wearing out as for working with wood to mix and match them for new designs. I maybe wrong.
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I didn't see anybody bashing wood. There are alot of people who build furniture and do other turning projects and crafts along with pen turning. This isn't the first time this alternative materials vs. wood pen issued has come up. Most who sell pens will tell you, alternative materials makes them the most money.

As for the patience of some of the members wearing out... thats your opinion and it could be true for some. Those who've ever made a herringbone have patience....thats a fact! And lots of time lmao.
 
Phunky_2003 said:
I didn't see anybody bashing wood. There are alot of people who build furniture and do other turning projects and crafts along with pen turning. This isn't the first time this alternative materials vs. wood pen issued has come up. Most who sell pens will tell you, alternative materials makes them the most money.

As for the patience of some of the members wearing out... that's your opinion and it could be true for some. Those who've ever made a herringbone have patience....that's a fact! And lots of time lmao.
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Thank you James, I did mention that I maybe wrong at the end, so no offense to anybody. It's just my respect for would maybe different than some others. I am very well aware of us humans fascination with color and glitter so that maybe the reason for the Alt. materials be selling better. I am not against it at all, heck I even bought my woodchuck tool for that reason too. And, I happen to live near two of the best sellers of the alt. materials on the IAP. So, I'd have a first hand access to them. I have to make some wood dust first or maybe at the same time incorporate both materials when I get to turning.
I was just hoping that we wouldn't forget all about wood at all since some of the very gorgeous banks are the mixture of both resin and wood.
 
I love to turn plastic or alternative blanks. Wood is cool, I love the look of a CA finish done well. I am really picky, if it is not perfect it never sees a kit. For a display, the alternative blanks seem to make it more "versatile". Wood too, adds to that diversity, all the exotic grains encased in a deep CA finish has a definite "wow" factor.

There are so many cool resin/aternative blanks out there, and so many new things to try. While being a rookie in this business is frustrating at times, it is also a way to discover some really cool things. When you clean up that blank on your mandrel that had the water and gunk from MM and look at the shine it is occasionally amazing. Sometimes, not so much, but I keep searching for that occasion. I think I am a resin kind of guy.
Mike aka Moke
 
when I first started turning, wood was the only thing I was interested in. At that time I thought an acrylic pen was just another run of the mill plastic pen. After turning a few acrylics, I have found that they offer so many different options. I do not cast but that offers endless options.
 
As of yet I have never turned a rodent. :eek: I personally like the look of a nice wood pen but unless it has great figure of some kind they don't usually have the WOW factor some of the "plastics" do. I originally thought that making a pen out of plastic was just plain wrong, but as time has gone on I have changed my mind. I still don't think you can beat the look of a 2 tone burl.
 
alphageek said:
ed4copies said:
To clarify the question. When we had our first IAP meeting in Milwaukee-there was not ONE person who turned plastic (except me)--about 15 were there.

This past meeting, I demonstrated turning acrylester and Dawn's resin. About 15 attended, and they all seemed to have some background in turning plastics.

So, I am curious if Milwaukee is representative of the "overall turning population".

That's the background of this question.
Click to expand...

Whaaaa???! I must not have raised my hand since I figured you knew my answer....

I choose expert in the poll... Given about 3 years experience turning that felt really weird, but since I havn't found anything that I can't turn (now being happy with the final results is a different issue)... and honestly can't remember the last explosion (crap... I know what the next session at the lathe will be like :eek:).

I even tried some extruded polysomething (LOL) my FIL gave me from one of his injection molder... possible, but just wrong!
Click to expand...


Hey Dean,

A while back I saw a Youtube video of someone turning a potato. Match that.

Can we expect a demo in December??? :biggrin:

IMOP you chose expert for a reason. I've seen your pens. You do great work.
 
ed4copies said:
When we had our first IAP meeting in Milwaukee-there was not ONE person who turned plastic (except me)--about 15 were there.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm... I seem to remember being at that meeting and that occurred AFTER I had purchased a few (almost several) resin blanks from you and ran a group buy for Inlace Acrylester in which you participated.

I was a little late in arriving, maybe you asked the question BEFORE I got there!
 
Ed:
Around here, I sell 10-15 plastic pens for every wood pen I sell. The number would be even greater, except I make "fishers of men" pens from BOW.

Every now and then, I'll sell a high end HRB or Koa, but for the most part, my wood pen buyers are on the lowest end of the price spectrum.
 
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hilltopper46 said:
ed4copies said:
When we had our first IAP meeting in Milwaukee-there was not ONE person who turned plastic (except me)--about 15 were there.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm... I seem to remember being at that meeting and that occurred AFTER I had purchased a few (almost several) resin blanks from you and ran a group buy for Inlace Acrylester in which you participated.

I was a little late in arriving, maybe you asked the question BEFORE I got there!
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Are you sure it was the FIRST meeting?
Same question for Dean's post.

I recall being prepared to do a demo of turning an acrylic pen--had all the stuff with me, the lathe was set up---I was "READY for ACTION".

Then, I asked who turned plastics and the room went dead. So, we had a great meeting of "talking" and pen show and tell, instead. No point in demoing to a group who couldn't care less about resins!! I recall several people being there, I can even see where they sat, (Old people remember things that happened long ago---yesterday is a complete fog).

That is the basis of this statement.
 
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