Pen makers

[JoeScroller]

Is it just me or does it seem that the new thing to do is turn pens, in my few months here it seems there are a lot more pen turners showing up, which is great, it had seemed to me that the pen turning catagory was a little slow but now it has two or three now posts or even threads daily. I actually might try it just from reading some of the topics about it, I have turned larger pieces, mainly bowls, but never tried something as small as a pen. It seems like fun. :) :D :rolleyes: All we need now is a larger turn out(no pun intended!) in the large turning catagory and this forum will be full of people.

Just my recent observations at the growth of this forum, all we need now is an administrator who is willing to respond to our questions or at least let us know he is alive!

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Joe

Your observation is correct. Turning itself has become the latest craze among woodworkers. The introduction of the mini lathe has made it somewhat affordable to do turning. As you know turning can become very expensive when it come to the tools and chucks and things. Turning pens is quick and easy and safe. You have instant gratification and they are good sellers.I have yet to make any pens and at this time do not have the equipment but since I bought my Jet mini lathe I have tried to get in the shop and practice with it when I can. I can see how pen making would be very easy. I guess the only thing to do is try it and be ready to be hooked. Good luck and I too would like to seee more turners in general stop by. We have some talented ones already and am glad they are willing to share their knowledge so if you have questions just ask.

[Oso]

When you go to the Woodcraft store, they suggest Pen turning if you are new to turning. Althought my first couple tries where bowls, mainly because I had to order pen tools, that turned out so-so. I like the pens because they are fast and easy.


Oso

[Pen Man]

Hi all. I started turning pens about one year ago. I have sold enugh to pay for all of my tools,and take my wife out to dinner. :) I just finished a project for a laidy. She had bought a five hundred year old Beach tree that had to be cut down, and ask me to make 40 pens for her I only had 2 weeks to get it done. I had to work into the night but it is so much fun that I did not mined. She loved them ...That ment alot to me.She was going to sell them and give the money to the arberday foundation.

[Gunny]

I like the whole idea of making pens from a tree in the front yard, from parts of family treasures etc... I made one from a broken Shillelagh that belonged to my father, two from a cane that belonged to my grandfather, a bunch from a broken chair that had belonged to my grandmother's dining room set and even one from my other grandfather's police nightstick...
I can't give my grandchildren and nieces and nephews broken bits of furniture that have been in the family for generations, but if I can take a piece of wood that came from Ireland with GreatGrandpa and make something useful out of it for them (like a pen that they will use every day) it will be like they are carrying part of an ancestor whom they never met.
I give it to them with a picture of the person who owned the wood it was made out of and I include a little family history on a gift card.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

That is a very cool idea. I have to remember that one.Great way to pass something on.

[Ex19k]

great idea gunny! I have never thought of that! I am lucky enough that i have a lot of stashed wood from my late grandfather.some of it is 50 year ld cherry! would make an interesting keepsake. On the pen turning issue. I got into it due to the fact that my dad says i need a hobby.(like i dont have enough)i ususally make pens for him to give to his doctors and nurses that he has to go to. To me it is a way for me to work with wood when it is raining and is cold.

[TimD]

I guess that there would be as many different reasons for turning pens as there are turners. I guess my main reason for starting was that as a Mason (the fraternal order of Free & Accepted Masons) and a member of the Eastern Star I had noticed that most of the pens sold over the years that I've seem were just not what appealed to me. So I spent a lot of time looking at kits, logos, etc. before I decided to start.
I had even went thru the process of asking for quaotes on custom designs, etc. when thru a web search one day I found what I'd been looking for as far as logos go. Then another big part was finding the woods that I thought were appropriate for these pens.
Of course I also make non-Masonic pens and pencils for anyone else. Now I'm toying with another idea that I think will have (I HOPE, lol) good sales appeal for another group of people - hunters. And while I was typing this I believe that I just had a brain storm for a pen. That I will not share at this time, but when I get the first one made like I just thought of I'll post a pic in the pen section.
I'm out of pen and pencil kits until I get an order in so I can't wait. I mean this idea just struck me from no where, as I was sitting here typing I just happended to look at something that I had made for my nephew. He had lost it so he'd asked me to make him another one which I did this weekend. I had applied the final coat to it this afternoon and then laid it down here by my computer until he comes back. He's 8 and he really gets into helping me with my pens and pencils so I'll give him the first one when I get it made.