Sorry, me again

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pewink

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I just wanted to say, I've been reading posts, and looking at a lot of peoples pics.

I don't want to try to comment on each post, and I don't want to leave someone without a comment so,
I want to say that everyone here has amazing talent, in everything they have shown.
There's definitely inspiration within these many pages, and I believe I might have stepped into the deep end.
I'm certainly intimidated by what I've seen and read. I've only made a few snowmen, and small bird house
decorations on my lathe, and I have to admit, they were a disaster.

I've read stories about fit and finish, sanding marks, parts breaking while being assembled, out of round, explosions, cracking, and my oh my the list is longer.
I'm beginning to rethink this pen making venture, and stick to making signs.
 
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True story I hope you enjoy, Kevin.
I've been woodworking for over 40 years and the one tool I stayed away from was my lathe. Why you ask? It scared me half to death after bouncing a few table legs off my chest and chin, shooting lathe tools all over the place, you name it. I would tell other turners that I'd rather donate a kidney than turn something on my lathe.
Fast forward to 2017 and I saw an ad from PSI for a pen starter kit for less than 300 bucks. So I got it, waited about 6 months to even open the box and look at the small lathe inside. I ordered the free CD PSI offers on pen turning, bought a couple of books and got started. Sure...I've had plenty of disappointing pens that end up as darts in the sheet rock (I have a temper people tell me). But after a few tries it started to click and things started to turn out right.
Today my 40 year old lathe turns some pretty nice stuff and my little penpal lathe still makes some very nice pens. Last year I made, and sold, over 50 pens to 2 different retail stores. Am I as expert as some of the others on this site? NO WAY!!! Don't be afraid to ask questions even if you think they might be below some of the turners on this site. It will be answered with great detail.
Have fun and enjoy learning this hobby. Once you get your groove going you'll like it like the rest of us.
 
I haven't been turning quite as long as Tom(Wolf Creek Knives) (BTW he has a talent I envy making his knives... haven't tried one yet but someday),
But I got my lathe for Christmas one year, started playing with it that day and got hooked.... I no longer turn pens as I've moved on to other
endeavors, like pepper mills, bowls, urns, etc.... and I'm fully self taught. I figured nothing ventured, nothing gained. I've been smacked a few
times with pieces flying off the lathe, but have just ducked (except once I was too slow) and went back to it.
I think it's a lifetime learning process, what you do today will be done better tomorrow.
I still spend a few hours per week looking at YouTube videos of other turners and learn something from each of them....
Don't be afraid to try, but do be careful...

Chuck
 
Don't be discouraged by what you observe about pen making. The pens I am making today are much better than the ones I made two years ago. Pen making, like woodworking and lathe turning, is a journey. Start with easy to make pens like Slimline and click pens. If something goes wrong, think about what you were doing that could have caused the failure and make note of it. Apply the learning experience to the next pen you turn. Let failure teach you and not discourage you. Watch Mark Dreyer's videos on YouTube, 10 Minutes to Better Pen Making. They are a great place to learn the basics of pen turning and avoiding the frustrating mistakes many of us experienced. Finally, post questions on IAP. There is a great group of people here willing to help new pen makers.
 
pewink said:
I just wanted to say, I've been reading posts, and looking at a lot of peoples pics.

I don't want to try to comment on each post, and I don't want to leave someone without a comment so,
I want to say that everyone here has amazing talent, in everything they have shown.
There's definitely inspiration within these many pages, and I believe I might have stepped into the deep end.
I'm certainly intimidated by what I've seen and read. I've only made a few snowmen, and small bird house
decorations on my lathe, and I have to admit, they were a disaster.

I've read stories about fit and finish, sanding marks, parts breaking while being assembled, out of round, explosions, cracking, and my oh my the list is longer.
I'm beginning to rethink this pen making venture, and stick to making signs.
Click to expand...
It isn't really that difficult. After all I teach blind people to do it, and they make some really beautiful pens and other things. too. It just takes practice and patience. People mostly post about their failures, but don't mention the hundreds of successes in between.
 
I have a gentleman that wants to trade some of my pen making supplies, for a skid of Cherry, Walnut, and Purpleheart woods.
I told him, that I'm getting the better deal. These woods will make some great cutting boards, charcuterie boards, and maybe a sign or two.
He and his wife will receive an end grain cutting board for Christmas.

As for the remainder of my pen making stuff, it will most likely remain in the box, at least for a while.
I just can't get excited about a pen, like I do with flat work. I actually don't know anyone that uses pens anymore.
Everything seems to be digital these days.
 
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