Which Pen Suppliers do you Purchase Pen Kits from?

[Wayne]

NOTICE: IF YOU CHANGE A VOTE YOU MUST RE-ENTER ALL PREVIOUS VOTES!​

Many members ask the simple question, Which Pen Suppliers do you Purchase from?

Here are some things you should consider, and ask others for their experiences.

• Where are your friends and IAP members getting their kits?​

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• Does the supplier have a web site?​

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• Is the web site well organized, user friendly, easy to locate items and accessories?​

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• Are they selling through Facebook, Etsy or Ebay?​

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• Are the kits, bushings, and replacement tubes in stock?​

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• How promptly will you receive the kits?​

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• How Can you contact the supplier, Phone, Email, text, web form email or web chat?​

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• What if the orders are shorted? How quickly will the supplier respond to this?​

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• What particular style of pen kit are you looking for?​

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• Some manufactured kits have had quality issues, most do not.​

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• Some suppliers have few offerings of kits.​

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• Some suppliers have large offerings of kits.​

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• Some suppliers only offer the lower priced kits.​

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• Other suppliers only offer the higher priced kits.​

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• Many suppliers offer kits from both low to high priced kits.​

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• Pricing for kits does not suggest quality.​

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• Pricing does often increase based on the intricacy of a kit.​

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• Many suppliers offer the same manufacturers kits priced differently.​

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• Some suppliers offer different plating’s.​

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• Are the instructions included with the kit, downloaded from the supplier’s site or do you have to request from them.​

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• Many of the suppliers also offer blanks, artisan, wood and cast, which is beneficial.​

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• Remember, there are suppliers that specialize in blanks only.​

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• Some suppliers include extra goodies with your order.​

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• Where in the world do you live, US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, etc.?​

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• Can you drive to the supplier? Big benefit!​

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• Shipping, taxes, etc. are other items that you need to be concerned with.​

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• Most pen kits are manufactured overseas in China, Taiwan, and UK among other locations.​

I once met a gentleman that was in the states from France at a pen suppliers store.
He Buys a suitcase full of kits and accessories and takes it back as luggage. Claims he saves a large amount of money doing this.

So, what have I missed here?

Above is a Poll created from the data of a Chart in the library, link is displayed below, of current world wide suppliers that I am aware of.
The Chart below has live links to all of these suppliers.

I am sure there are many others. Please add those missing from the chart/poll, that you may use in your post below.

Chart Reference Here.

 

[Larryreitz]

I also occasionall buy at my local Woodcraft. It was not listed.

 

[MillerTurnings]

I also buy some from Woodturningz, pen blanks from Custom Cast Blanks in Ohio.

 

[skiprat]

Timberbits Oz, Turners Retreat Uk, , Rutlands UK

 

[howsitwork]

Olivers wood turning (uk), Penn state (usa mainly when on hoil day or via friends), Turner’s retreat ( uk), Axminster ( uk). Turners workshop (uk)

 

[Wayne]

NOTICE: IF YOU CHANGE A VOTE YOU MUST RE-ENTER ALL PREVIOUS VOTES!​

Just revised and added another 30 or so suppliers at the bottom.

 

[Roly]

I also buy from Williams pen turning supplies with no complaints or problems

 

[jttheclockman]

Not sure what the poll will prove but the list is great. I wish that the vendors links were highlighted and able to easily click onto but that can be done through the pdf Wayne has provided in the library. I know myself I have bought from many different vendors and all were great to deal with. But at times you go back to ones that have the particular kit you like. Now there are some vendors that carry many brands and there are some vendors that are still growing and will become even more of a player. I think it comes down to doing your homework and on occassion just a simple question here can help. Wayne's list of things to consider when buying is a very good one and surely comes into play. Will look it over and add my vote when I have some time to study.

 

[Wayne]

NOTICE: IF YOU CHANGE A VOTE YOU MUST RE-ENTER ALL PREVIOUS VOTES!​

I've added the above suggested suppliers, near the bottom of the poll.

 

[Wayne]

Timberbits Oz, Turners Retreat Uk, , Rutlands UK

Added these skiprat.

 

[Wayne]

I also buy from Williams pen turning supplies with no complaints or problems

Added your suggestion, Roly.

 

[Penultimate]

Hi Wayne
I buy from Richard Greenwald. Lots of good pen parts.
Thanks for setting up the list. It's good reference.

 

[kronewi]

Also use The Pensmiths and Ohio Penworks.

 

[CjG78]

I purchase majority of kits from Steve's Woodcraft in Australia, Sam stocks berea and psi kits

 

[Rick95602]

ProKraft UK

 

[Wayne]

ProKraft UK

Thanks Rick,
Added.
Wayne

 

[Ohmo]

After a 7 or 8 year hiatus from turning, I've just checked the three in the list I've purchased from recently.

Missing is Amazon that, like many small businesses, just stocks materials from other companies..

 

[ccccchunt]

www.woodpenpro.com is where I get my best deals from. He has blanks not available anywhere else. I think someone was looking for the circuit card pen blanks a while back. He has them.

 

[Penchant 4]

Purchased from Arizona Silhouette prior to its change of owner.