The evolution of a hobby

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paintspill

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Apr 17, 2011
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toronto, ontario, canada.
for those of you that have some years on me, you will laugh, for those of you just starting out, i give you a small peek at what is to come.

it starts out with a slim line. on a tiny lathe. you think it would be fun to make your own pen. so you give it a go. people love them and you kinda enjoy it.

that leads to trying new kits, new finishing techniques and new materials. then possibly a new lathe. definitely a bigger one. some new tools, bits and bushings. you make that amazing leap from spindle to 'turning between centers' (a high light in my life) somewhere along the way you may even sell some. then before you know it, a web site, and you check on the IAP before you even think of checking facebook, or your work email. you will at this point not be able to look at anything ever again with out thinking "can i make a pen out of that"

this is right about where i stand and this date and time. so where do i go from here. well i suppose that goes with out saying. but i'll say it anyways.

i ordered a pressure pot today. lord help me.
 
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I've only been turning 9 months and I'm there. I do more pens than anything else but also new to turn everything else under the sun. Which requires more different tools than pen making would...

They call it the vortex. It sucks you in. And takes all your money.
 
I don't know if I have any years on you or not but what you say is true and funny. Not necessarily funny Ha Ha. Everything you mentioned is inside like the house or shop. My addiction has spread outside. I can't pass by a neighbors house that trimmed trees without slowing to see what kind of wood or potential pen material is fixing to be trashed. Yes I'm a Texan. I go crazy when I see a new construction site starting with acres of trees pushed to the ground to make way for progress. It seems everything I see I wonder if I can use it in a pen somehow. I hope it doesn't get any worse and for the new guys and gals Beware. I think it is a great hobbie and wouldn't change a thing.
 
Love it, myself! It's so true!

I've been making small turned lidded boxes. Recently bought a planer (wanted one for 20 years!), and a small dust collector. Still pretty happy with my midi lathe, but a larger one is on the "someday" list.

Next up... jointer!
 
Not sure if I would call it an evolution. More like a decent into madness and despair. That pressure pot should be your wake up call.

Before you know it you will be sneaking money from the kid's college fund to buy that next kit. Hocking granny's quilts for "that" blank. You are no longer welcome in your house so you spend your nights cold and itchy covered by the wood and PR shavings of your humiliation and self destruction.

Finally the end will come. Covered in hardened resin, riddled with pressure pot shrapnel.

Better stop the madness now and send the pressure pot to me. I am only offering because I care.
 
Hooked I am. Happy about it I am.

I guess I got there / am getting there sort of backwards. I had the taps & dies as a lifelong shadetree mechanic, Had the drill press, the radial arm saw, the chop saw. Bought a bandsaw. Started making cutting boards. Still do love it.

Ah! the lathe Check small one at first (Turncrafter 12). This spring a Jet 1442 EVS-2.

Came here and realized there is so much more to learn and I am excited about it.


Now can someone please tell me about turning between centers? Do you still use bushings? How does that work? Thank you in advance.
 
For me personally, It is already past being a hobby. Pens are just a part of turning. I can't go past a down tree without looking to see if there is something I can use. WORSE for me......I am a packrat. I may not use it but I will always pick it up.
I love this hobby because I never have to spend another dime to turn. However, if I want to learn something new.....it may cost me. Of course, the more I do the more I want to learn......that is the nature of this hobby.
Would I call it a passion......not really. It is just one of many things in my life, I have a great interest in learning about and making my skills better.

As of right now, the LOML has made it clear that to buy something new ..... it has to be cleared with her. (silly woman)

Keep smiling all.
 
Fortunately, my husband and I have loved woodworking for a long time, so when I went into pen turning, I already had bandsaw, tablesaw, drill press, etc. That meant I had more money for all the OTHER goodies!
 
Hooked from day 1!

I've been turning pens for about 2 months now. I have been in construction for 20+ years and have had my share of time on most power tools including those needed for pen turning so the "thrill" of getting that new tool isn't there for me. What is there is the thrill of seeing the "finished product", that's always been a thrill for me. Now I am making my own PR blanks and thinking about getting a stabilizing chamber. Oh yes...I have the shed all filled with new pen turning supplies, a lathe, sander, PR molds and now, lots and lots of blanks. I have pen kits coming out of my ears and my better half is trying to put them "somewhere" else...if you know what I mean. LOL. Do I love turning pens? YES. Is this "hobby" fun and exciting? YES. But lets all be honest with ourselves...this is not a "Hobby" it is an "Addiction" and its one that I don't plan on giving up anytime soon, so I'm making room for a cot, right next to the lathe. Always enjoy what you do or it will be just another "Job". Happy Turning! :wink:
 
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