What Kits???

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

For the pen turners out there, what kits are you finding your most used kit?? If you sell your pens what kit or style seems to get more people's attention?? Do you try to keep the price of the kit down to sell better or because the high end kits are not what you are about?? I looked at some prices for kits and when you are talking $40 to $50 just for the kit and then put a high end blank you need to charge some serious money if you are going to sell. Does anyone go to these pen swaping shows and if so what was your experience??

I would like to make this thread about your best made pen pictures also. So if you would be so kind and show us what you say is your best made pen and this can be any style or kit. Just give us a little background on it as to what material was used, kit name and where you got it, finish you put on it and so forth. Could be fun. I am going to have to try and get the IMG working on this site so we may have to move this thread. Let me see what I can do. :)

[Gunny]

I think it has a lot to do with the type of show ... I've only done mid-level shows so far (except for a couple of what I would call entry-level shows to get my feet wet) but I've gone to a number of bigger, more upscale shows as a browser/buyer.
There are different catagories of Craft Show attendees.
There are those who go looking for bargains as if it's really a flea market or garage sale. They will usually be willing to spend a few bucks on anything they think is really a bargain.

There are those who could get really excited over a $150 fountain pen but usually wind up buying something nice for $25-$50 because it's more practical. If any of them ever hit the lottery they will be more than willing to pay for that $150 aristograde but for now they have a family to feed.

Then there are the investors who went to the mid-level to upscale show looking to purchase a piece of art from a "currently unknown but hopefully soon to be reknowned" artisan. They have a suitcase full of money and if that $150 "one of a kind" gentleman's pen catches their fantasy when they pass your table on the way to the car with their suburban Rodin bronze, they're more than happy to add it to their collection of fine writing instruments along with the best handcrafted case you have.

More simply put, I think it's a matter of gearing your selection to the level of the show. Bring a selection but play to the audience. If it's a high-end/upscale show you're more likely to have a market for the $50-150+ kits than you will have at the "Cookie Brook Volunteer Fire Dept Spring Craft Show."

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

OK after making some calls and emails I found out at this time it is not possible to change anything to do with software on this site and getting the IMG to work in this thread will not be possible. So I am moving the second part of this question to Pen projects tip and tricks. Please look there and post your pictures. Look forward to seing some gems.

[PaulD]

I've started working with some of the higher cost kits in order to be able to market a permanent finish. As you know from other discussions we have had, price matters a great deal in my market, but I have been able to sell higher priced pens to more discriminating buyers lately. All pen types seem to sell fine, but buyers seem to like the bigger styles for men gifts and the smaller styles for women gifts.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Paul

What higher end kits have you been trying??? I really like the Imperial kit from CSUSA. Just do not know if I can justlify that price. I may try them when I get proficient at pen making. What plating are you using??

[PaulD]

I 've been working with the Woodcraft Gold/titanium finish lately on most of my pen varieties. It is 2-3X as much as the 24k version, but I have seen wearing on heavily used pens with the less expensive finish. I've seen the Imperial too and most of the other really fancy $49+ kits, but so far have stayed with the basic 10 or so varieties in a better finish.

[thewoolif]

Hi, I'm new to pen turning. I'm recently retired but still a licensed builder in Mi. I built my own log home but I got too old for the heavy construction work, so I started my own woodworking shop and started making pens and pencils.
I just joined Woodworking crafts, this is my 1st post, and I was floored by the fact that you talk about $50 kits and $150 pens. I have a website, woodworkergonewild.com, where I sell the pens/pencils with kits I purchased for $3 to $18 and can't imagine too many people paying $150 for a pen. I started making pens as a hobby to make gift pens but now have sold a few and I"ve found some problems that I was hoping I could get some help with.
Such as; why is it that my drill seems to wobble while drilling acrylics which causes the hole to be oversized? And why does the ca glue set up so fast that you have trouble getting the tubes in? Is there a better glue to use? Thanks for any help you can give

[PaulD]

I think the price you get on a finished pen depends a lot on where you live and how much you want to sell. Here in the Northwoods I don't try to make pens in that price range because the market is too limited to ever sell more then a few. I you want to sell the pens you make mostly so you can have the fun of making more, that is a lousy way to approach the market. I didn't look at where you live, but I'd suspect that outside of a major metro market you'll have a similar experience.

To your questions: regarding acrylic drilling, I have never seen that happen simply due to the acrylic. I have seen drills not seated in the chuck right or blanks not securely tighten in the drilling vise cause that sort of problem. I'd recommend elimination of those variables before focusing on the acrylic.

Regarding the glue, that is an unusual problem too. I assume you are spreading the glue on the brass barrel before insertion, if not that could be the problem. Also you should use the slower setting medium or thick gap-filling CA to glue in the tubes which gives you more time to work. Also, if you aren't already doing so, insertion is easier with a pen tube insertion tool if you don't already have one.

Hope that helps!

[Gunny]

Reiterating what Paul said... check that the blank is tight in the vise and that the vise is secure. I find that acrylics actually drill easier than wood.

A pen tube insertion tool saves a lot of grief and can be made on a grinder or belt sander from an old screwdriver. I have an old awl with a steel handle and that works great. The diameter is less than 7mm so the tubes fit all the way on and I can shove the tube all the way in quickly and not worry about it going too far. The metal handle acts as a stop against the blank. (Make sure you coat the entire tube and it's also a good idea to cut the shaft down to 2")

[Ex19k]

hey JJ
Some of the kits that I have tried are:
Woodcrafts Seirra Blk Titanium and gold//rhodium i sell these for about $65 and alot of people love them. What is nice is that you can get 2 pens from one pen blank. Which is nice.
The pen turners cataloge has a lot of high end kits i have tried thier emperor Jr pen. Very nice finish.Good directions.Very easy to Turn. It is a large pen so most boxes are inatiquate. means you gotta make your own. Oh darn get to play in the shop longer! Some people balk at the price but have sold a few of them. I sell them for about $100.
I am going to try the inlay pens from Kellashan (sp?) and will let you know how that works. The thing is on these is the time you have to put into them. Esp the flag Pen. 50 stars and 13 strips to glue. I sence alot of grumbling and such coming.
As for the shows, I havent done one yet. will do one in october.
I plan to make alot of limline pens and some slower end sierras. and bring just a few of the higher end pens. Will have an order sheet made up so that I can take orders. Will let you know.
lytle