I have seen many turned pen and pencil sets but not found what I want. Is it possible to make a lathe turned pen that is a click style instead of every one I see being the dreaded twist style. Then to be a real picky pete can they be made to be like a 1/2 inch swell at the hand hold instead of the skinny straight tube that my clumsy brick hands slip on like all the ones I have tried? Lastly if I provide a chunk of wood can it be made from that or does it need to be treated somehow to not check and crack?
Pen Styles and how you make them, size and what kind of material you make them from or almost unlimited
That being said I'm not sure if there's anything other than twist, never made any but I have seen a lot about them.
Artisan Clicker Pen Kit | Pen Making | Craft Supplies USA One of many possibilities. I am a turner but do not have my lathe set up, my shop is in 'transition' from my basement to my garage. I don't do pens though. Mostly bowls and larger spindle work like lamps and rolling pins.
There are many, many styles of pens. Traditional click pens check out Woodturningz or Penn State Industries. Penn State Industries also sells the bolt action pen as well as a new one imitating the semi automatic rifle. Bear Tooth Woods also has a unique pen that is supposed to resemble a lever action rifle utilizing the clip that looks like a lever and working it causes the ink to go out and come back into the pen. By the way that and the bolt action are very well built kits that will hold up to everyday use. Feel free to ask more questions.
Ok! I will ask more. Who here can make me one even if at a later date? Cost? What woods do you have available or can I send a chunk?
Nice gesture JWinIndiana and welcome to the forum That's Hoosier hospitality right there folks! 2 posts and volunteers to help a stranger
Welcome.....I had not noticed your newness to our happy little hoard. Just out of curiosity what kinda learnin is you doing in school?
"Just out of curiosity what kinda learnin is you doing in school?" via Greenstick I am an Agriculture Education Instructor. This semester I am teaching Welding I, Advanced Welding, WoodTurning and Advanced WoodTurning and finally, Large Engines.
I wish I had the chance to have classes like those offered in school! I am a former Social Sciences teacher in a past life. Anyhow what do you need to know for a pen build? I will add a pic of my uninformed thoughts on what I want. I am not sure of what is possible or best to do so kinda scratched a couple ideas. I'm not sure if one design is better and why or if one won't work so straighten me out.
I will refer to the upper as the dumbell style and the lower the cigar. What woods do you have or can I cut something on my lot and send you a chunk? Any forbidden woods?
Rockler just had a pen turning class here a few weeks ago. Any stores out by you? Nice project and great that another member here is making it happen.
This is not a traditional click pen by any stretch of the imagination but it is a well built kit and feels good in the hand, Bolt Action Pen Kits at Penn State Industries . (hoping the url is clickable when I post this reply!) Here are some more traditional click pens, Penn State Industries: Product Search Whooo hooo, it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have a specific piece of wood due to it being special (ie, from Grandpa's apple tree) I can work with it. Otherwise, here are some choices, Wood Pen Blanks - WoodTurningz The drawings you provided, not a problem. Will look through some pen kits I think would be suitable. Question, do you have big hands? Do you prefer a large pen (diameter) or a narrower/slimmer pen?
I have stone hands. They are not exceptionally large but with upper back issues I have trouble with numbness at times. For reference I like how the gel G2 medium bic writes but the barrel even with the rubber gripper is just a bit small. I measured some varying markers and that is how I kinda came up with the 1/2" diameter.
If you think of any other pertinent information let me know. I have a couple of ideas and will look into my inventory. Do you prefer dark wood or light wood? Solid colored wood or figured wood? Gold or silver pen metal parts?
