Practice

[shanea_1967]

Ok, so I have the lathe, now I need to practice.

I really want to turn pens but not sure what wood to start on. Can I practice on B&Q pine for now before I move on to proper blanks?

When I do move on to the proper stuff is there any wood I should avoid as a novice?

Thanks

 

[boysie39]

welcome Shenea. I'm sure you will get all the help and info. you need as soon as the pen boy's see your post. A very helpful bunch so watch your post good luck REgards Boysie.

 

[stevebuk]

hi shane
although i do rather like pine, i wouldn't make a pen from it, it can be quite diificult to get a good finish and being soft too makes it a wood that marks easily.
My first pen i made from beech, it is quite easy to get a good finish and makes for a great pen.
When you have several of these pens, move on to better woods and pen kits, you could even try acrylics too.
welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[Bodrighy]

Pine is a pig to get a good finish on and can be frustrating at first though it can be turned. Iroko I wouldn't use unless you have a good filter system going as so many people get serious allergies to it. Oak can be brittle and I personally am not too fond of it. Each wood has it's own charateristics and apart from the ones mentioned my advice would be try and get your hands on as many different types as possible. Using wet wood that has been fairly recently cut can be fun but you will need to season it afterwards to make sure that it doesn't warp or split. Using 'proper blanks' by which I assume you mean prepared ones, can become very expensive so get into the habit of accumulating wood wherever you (legally) find it. For me that includes ghedgerows, old furniture, tree surgeons , friends pruning or chopping down trees etc etc etc.

Pete

 

[John. B]

Welcome to the forum shanea, Where are you located? Are you near Romford in Essex.
I have been cutting up some highly figured Cherry into pen blanks you can have (for free) if you are nearby or for the price of the PP.
As far as woods to avoid, so long as have good extraction and masking you should not have any problems.
I can't think of anything that would trouble me. (and that includes woods like Wenge, which not many like but makes a nice pen)
However there are many home grown woods that make terrific pens,
These are of Gorse from Durham:

Surprisingly both these are from the same plant.


BTW Steve, that's a nice effort from a very bland wood. =D>

John. B

 

[Blister]

Welcome to the forum shanea, Where are you located? Are you near Romford in Essex.
I have been cutting up some highly figured Cherry into pen blanks you can have (for free) if you are nearby or for the price of the PP.
As far as woods to avoid, so long as have good extraction and masking you should not have any problems.
I can't think of anything that would trouble me. (and that includes woods like Wenge, which not many like but makes a nice pen)
However there are many home grown woods that make terrific pens,
These are of Gorse from Durham:

Surprisingly both these are from the same plant.


BTW Steve, that's a nice effort from a very bland wood. =D>

John. B

Hi John ,

I understand from Tom you have a CASE load of pens now

Fatal for most visitors to me they end up turning :lol:

So it looks like you have taken to pens now big time , have you used the 70 kit you got from me yet ?


shanea_1967 PM me your address and I will send you 10 FREE pen blanks , are they cheap enough

:lol:

If you are local to Essex you are welcome to come round for a spin :wink:

 

[John. B]

Hello Allen,
really glad to hear You're ok now.
Yep, got a case full and starting to fill a soft roll now.
Starting to sell slowly, thinking of putting them on the bay :-k :-k We'll see.
No I haven't done all those kits, ( a couple of the click pens need some replacement tubes, 8 or 8.5mm I think.
have bought some more from Oz. Some, even with postage are cheaper than buying here in the UK.
So how is this monster lathe coming along, have you hired the crane yet to lift it into the turning studio? :-k :-k :tool:

John

 

[shanea_1967]

All wood received and greatly appreciated. Thanks for you generosity.

Promise I will post my first attempt :lol: