วีดีโอ

It"s funny, the same message applies across many tools. If you are asking if the edge is dull, it is. Change it out. Learned this on my scroll saw, I have yet to break a blade, bit I have tossed a lot of them.

thanks for another great video !!!!!!!!!!!

Very Cool and Thank You for your way; it is soon to be mine! I am new and I am "teaching" my teacher friend that is 30 years younger than me....Thank You Mark! Coach Pell

Sometimes, ya just gotta use sandpaper for shaping. I just turned a coconut cast in clear resin blank that was probably 15+ years old. It was chipping out BAD. So bad that I KNEW if I kept going with the tool, one or more of the chips was going to reach all the way in to the coconut. Definitely slower than using a skew/spindle gouge/carbide, but it worked.

Your videos are some of the best instructional turning videos that I have found on YT. I find that many videos don't really teach they say "So now we make it round" and that is the extent of the "instruction" with nothing about lathe speed, tool angle or any of the things that people need to know. Thank you.

Yes I'm also using EZ-wood tools also but I use the square ez wood with a negative Rake so when I switched to the negative rake EZ-WOOD all my problems went away I was having trouble with my blowing up and it was tearing me down. Anyway thanks for listening.

Hey Mark, I'm just a few months into pen making and trying to soak up all the information I can. I've watched almost all of your videos because you make thing so practical! I've got a question about lathe tools. You always use a between centers mandrel. Is that for better demo or your mandrel of choice?

Great video, easy to follow and understand.

GREAT Video - Thank you just the info mI was missing -

Really helpfull, thank you

Thank you Mark, that was really helpfull. New sub 👍

I am watching and listening. Thank you

I have been using CA glue exclusively, and I just thought maybe I should try 2 part epoxy. Then your video popped up. I am now ready to give it a go. Thank you. From Brisbane Australia.

Can those opal blanks be made with alumilite? What micas would you use?

Do you have a video on getting good shine on alumilite resin pen blanks?

So you get to tell people what they do and do not want? Kind of egocentric to think that what you like is what everyone should like.

Sure, do waste a lot of material with your extremely over exaggerated eighth in cuts that are closer to half of an inch. Why not just set it up in a vise on the drill press? It works great for me 100% of the time and is way more stable. I also just use high-speed steel tools as long as they are sharp they work just fine. As far as the angels you get when you cut off the pieces from the main antler a belt or disc sander work just fine at squaring the ends up use the brass tube as the guide its pretty straight and square you have to glue it in anyway. Why not use it?

Hi, how did you do the circute pen panel ?

Great video, some nice ideas and a well taught class that will allow me to branch into this type of segmented pens and other projects like bottle openers or pizza cutters.

As a relative newbie to pen turning, I learned today that a circular carbide tool like the East Wood Easy Finisher (just an example - not a plug) is pretty much a necessity for roughing out acrylic blanks. As a traditional wood turner, I eschewed carbide tools and thought I could get away with my gouges and such. In my hands, traditional tools can be used during the shaping process, but the circular carbide tool makes roughing out acrylics a MUCH more pleasant process than using traditional tools.

Thank you - great information!

Thank you Mark for a great video. Love the segmenting jig!

Great advice. Thanks

I'm no expert, but I strongly prefer epoxy. Yeah, it's slower and messier than CA. Epoxy just makes more sense (to me) - mechanically speaking.

Nice job! Quite informative!

I have done the same as you disclosed and have had great success. I noticed the blank was not straight, or at least it looked that way. I know that a bit more sanding may rectify that; however. I use the larger square head easy tool and I seem to get it a bit straighter. On acrylic pen blanks only, I turn the square tool just a very little and use the edge (or corner) of the square edge and I find that due to the reduced surface area of the cutter I am able to get zero chipout and a much smoother start to rounding the pen. Just a suggestion. I thank you so much for sharing.

Big fan Mark. Why 300 dpi? I use the 1200 dpi setting on my little HP photo inkjet. The difference is significant.

John, your video is great. You gave us a lot of great information in a that we can use in the shop. Please let us see more of your practical techniques.

First time viewing, great video,👏👏🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

I looked at your videos but don’t see any on how you attach the printed image to the tube

Great video and series! I’m wondering if you have ever done (and would make a video) on kitless metal pens on a wood lathe (brass, aluminum, copper??). Thank you for the videos

Appreciate the info!!

Great video. Does Mark James have his own channel? If so im not finding it. Please post a link, thanks

Ta

This was fantastic information and extremely well presented! Thank you, I’m trying this!

Great info on coloring; was info that I'll be trying right away. Much appreciated!

This technique knocked down a square blank in no time. Thank you.

Hello, I watched your video, and I couldn't believe how well the round (finishing) tool did. My main question is what speed do you turn the acrylic? I am having a hard time on what speed to use. I have a general machine full size lathe, so I have several speeds to choose from. I am also amazed that you use the regular round and not negative cutter. Thank you so much for this video! I really don't have a tutor, so I come on here and watch videos, then I turn. Please respond when u can. Cynthia

Same amount of rounded cutting edge regardless of angle of insert holder shank handle

I'm so glad I caught your video. Not so much for the making pens, but I love how you hang your tools in the background. I went to Home Depot and made my own. Genius.

Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

Awesome thank you for sharing. Everyone stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

Thanks Mark for your informative Vid. I gave up turning - the dust was killing me. Have decided to return and turn Acrylic pens subject to one condition. Is dust an Issue?? Will appreciate your comments.

WILL THE PEARL X POWDERS WORK IN CA GLUE??? THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

If so, then what is it used for and how it is used?

Another Great video Mark!!! Do you ever use a negative rake tool?

Thanks for sharing Mark You make it look so easy, but I'm new to pen making. I have a great Mentor I'm only making wall street and bolt action pens so far twist and click. my mistake drawer is getting bigger and bigger. I'm starting to go slower and less mistakes I really enjoy your videos. Would you be willing to send me your phone number in a private message I promise you that I won't be a nuisance.

Mark, thank you for this demonstration. I am considering giving this system a try because I seem to have nothing but problems with a normal CA finish. Everything from sticking to the delrin bushings to sanding through while trying to level the finish out. One question though, I do not have a buffing station and really would like to avoid having to purchase one. What final sanding and buffing steps would you recommend in lieu of a buffing system to get a good end result?

a video of pen bufftng

I would like to see a pen buffing wheels