Pen making kits

[devonwoody]

Got some pen making parts (from Axminster), however are there any kits around that will accept the Parker type refills or other mass produced refills nationally available?

 

[Blister]

Have a look on Turners retreat site

http://www.turners-retreat.co.uk/acatal ... ories.html

:lol:

 

[beejay]

Best to practise on the slimline kits until you get the feel for penturning.
Slimline kits use standard Cross refills which are available everywhere.
Look here for some interesting variations using the slimline kits.
http://www.woodturner-russ.com/Pen10.html
regards,beejay

 

[Paul.J]

Here's a site DW that you might find interesting.
I have only used the Axminster slimline kits so far and have found them to be really good kits,and everyone says how nice they write.
Haven't had to buy a refill yet.Turned my first pen well before xmas last year,and it's still going strong

 

[CHJ]

John, the Axminster Pt No. 400316 takes the larger capacity standard Parker type refill.

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks for that Chas, only to give pens away and refills not generally available would be an embarrassment

 

[devonwoody]

Prepared some 19mm square hardwood to practice pen making this afternoon, the first two blanks I drilled, the 7mm exit hole is off centre.

Are they useless?

Or does the lathe put the concentricity back on course?

 

[Paul.J]

Devonwoody wrote

the first two blanks I drilled, the 7mm exit hole is off centre.

Depends how far off centre they are.
I have had many go off but still tried turning them and most were fine.
Are you using a jig to hold the blanks :?: and always clear the debris out often when drilling through.Use a sharp drill.

 

[CHJ]

John if they are slimline kits then you only need something like 1-2mm wall thickness of wood left on the brass tube.

Watch out if you are using a 7mm drill, holes may be a little oversize for the tubes, I use a 6.8 or 6.9 mm drill for some kits and wood types to keep them a better fit.

You will need to square the ends of the blanks up to the end of the tube when the glue has set. Do not cut into the brass tube, some kits the tubes are only just long enough.

 

[devonwoody]

Yes I have made a holding jig for the blanks and the second set taking more care with the drill press gave me better blanks.

Must admit the brass tubes enter very easily, so where do I get the 6.8 and 6.9 drill bits from?

Or will epoxy type glue take up the slack?

 

[DaveL]

where do I get the 6.8 and 6.9 drill bits from?

Take a look here on the Axminster site.

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks again, looks like I'm going to wear my postman and credit card out.

 

[devonwoody]

Please can you tell me if this is the right piece of equipment in the tailend piece to fit to the indent on the pen mandrel?.
The black fitting turns and also has a pointed end which fits the mandrel.

 

[Anonymous]

In a word, yes :wink:

Stick a small piece of yellow tape on the outside... it helps you notice if it begins to slow (that's more likely to happen when turning wood)

 

[Paul.J]

Also put a small dab of wax on the point,or in the small hole on the mandrel,and don't tighten too much as it can bend the mandrel.

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks for that PaulJ.

In the meantime yesterday afternoon I adapted my box that had arrived with chisels for turning.

A 22mm thick piece of Br.Mahogany through the bandsaw. One piece finished up 8mm thick and the other 10mm thick.

And I made this.

 

[Bodrighy]

Having seen some of the beautiful boxes you make why am I not surprised at this :lol:


Only thing that I would point out is that are probably going to need an awful lot of these in the not too distant future :lol:

Pete

 

[CHJ]

My thought exactly Pete, I was wondering where he was going to put all the other stuff he didn't know he needed, how are you at shed building John.

Either that or you need to spend some serious time with Graham (oldsoke) to get to terms with space conservation. :lol:

 

[devonwoody]

Oddly enough the word shed was mentioned in our household around an hour earlier, because I was wondering if the lathe could come in the kitchen during the winter! :roll:

 

[Bodrighy]

Put the kitchen in a shed? Brilliant Idea. You could perhaps convert the oven into kiln for drying wood. Kitchen worktops would make an ideal solid surface for lathe. Stop it bouncing around. :lol:

Pete