Wood Turning - Beginners Guide #11 - Pen Turning Tips
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ม.ค. 2015
- A few tips on overcoming some common problems when turning pens.
RJB Woodturning link on making the CA resistant bushings:
• Make your own Non Stic... - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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Six years later and still helping new people!
Hi Scott ... I try to stay useful 🙂
Great as always Mike, this has been anther great series mate.
Take care,
Carl
Carl Jacobson Thanks Carl, I really appreciate it my friend.
Take care
Mike
Mike, another great video with lots of good stuff in it a real gem. your thoughts about the finishes is spot on CA is the way to go and the info on the mandrels is so true
thanks again for another great video
drawvenmusket Thank you, I really appreciate your kind and supportive comments.
Take care
Mike
Thank you Mike, this is an excellent tutorial. Just bought my first lathe the other day and will be rewatching this video when I get to the stage where I can start to turn pens.
Jan Taglianetti Thanks Jan, welcome to the clan my friend :). I hope you enjoy your new found craft.
Take care
Mike
Thanks Mike for another great tutorial, it's funny how many videos lately appear on TH-cam about pen turning. And from everyone of them I'm learning a lot.
Take care
Karol
***** Hi Karol, happy to be of some use to you my friend.
Take care
Mike
I'm really enjoying your videos Mike. Thanks for being so thorough. Keep up the great work!
Rodney Kerstetter Thanks Rodney, appreciate your kind words.
Take care
Mike
Hello Mike,
I've just watched all three videos on pen turning and enjoyed them very much.
When I started turning about three years ago a good friend who is a retired cabinet maker was kind enough to give me a couple of days in his workshop teaching me pen making.
It may be of benefit to beginners to say that we didn't have the vice to hold the blanks while drilling so we held them as one piece in the chuck of the lathe and using a Jacob's chuck drilled the holes. Also, when we were assembling the pens we didn't have the press but used an ordinary vice as you mentioned.
I got a lot of pleasure out of pen making and you've given me the incentive to start again.
They make great presents. When someone gave me a piece of wood from their garden or land such as Yew I endeavoured to make them a pen or two from the wood. Without exception these people were really pleased to have a pen made from wood from their own trees.
Best wishes,
Alan.
Alan Simpson Thanks for the kind comments Alan, and I am surprised how much I enjoy turning pens, I honestly never thought it was for me....but I can safely say that I am now hooked :)
Take care
Mike
I found the mandrel off center in the collet can cause the wobble,
I also found turning between centers is the way to go, definitely worth spending the extra money.
I use the Dimond shape carbide chisel to round my blanks because I do lots of splinter prone woods like hairy oak in my pens and carbide stays sharper for longer, then I use the round carbide tool for most of the work and I square everything off last with my square carbide tool.
This technique works for me
Having watch hours of pen turning videos on youtube and having made a couple of pens my self I just have to say Mike, this is one of the best tutorials I have seen. Your take on the issues with the mandrel and oval pens is spot on as is the CA finish tips.
Great video Mike.
All the best
Tony
***** Thank you Tony, coming from one of my two pen turning Gurus I am well chuffed with your comment, you are too kind mate. also, thank you for all the advice and help you gave me, and still do.
Take care
Mike
Hi just getting ready to turn my first pen, your video has helped me, plus all the other videos. Thank you very, very, much.
Glad to be of service, good luck with your first pen turning...let me know how you get on.
Cheers
Mike
Very nice video, Mike. I had always wondered about the pressure on the mandrel. Thanks for clearing that up.
+Winston Barnett Thank you Winston, glad you found some use in the video.
Cheers
Mike
Welcome back, Mike! I was starting to think you had deserted us. Although I'm not a pen turner this was a very interesting video and well done. Just about makes me want to turn another pen. Glad you're back, Mike.
Gordon Rock Thanks Gordon, due to changing work patterns, I am not able to spend as much time in the shop as I would like, so videos will be less frequent at the moment. Thanks for your continued support my friend.
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike !!
Nice work mate.Anybody who is just starting out in pen turning will find this video really helpful.It is handy to know how to look after all our kit after spending hard earned cash on it.
Cheerio mate !!
Chris.
Christopher Fisher Hi Chris,
Thank you my friend, appreciate your kind words, you ol' smoothy....lol
Take care matey
Mike
Without a doubt, the best pen turning tutorial on TH-cam. Lots of great tips. Cheers mate.
Thank you Chris I really appreciate you saying that.
Thanks Mike great job, I enjoy all your videos especially turning small lidded boxes.
I am just getting started turning pens , you helped me a great deal.
keep up the great work.
AL
Alex Iacullo Glad to be of service Alex, and thank you for your support.
Take care
Mike
Great video Mike. Thanks for sharing your new found knowledge.
Dan Douthart Thank YOU for watching Dan.
Cheers
Mike
Very instructive video, Mike.
You did very well and easily explained.
Thank you for sharing it.
Günter Schöne Thank you Gunter, I appreciate your supportive comments.
Take care
Mike
Comprehensive and informative little series. Thanks for taking the time and effort to to put it together and share. Appreciate your work sir. Notced the change of photo - very dapper ! Cheers
broadsideguy Thank you Mr. Broadsideguy, the pleasure is mine. As far as the photo change is concerned .......... ;)
Take care
Mike
Thanks for the detailed run thru.
Alan
As Wood Turns Pleasure Alan, and thank you for watching.
Take care
Mike
Im devouring these videos. Im going to get into pen turning once i figure out what i need to buy for my lathe setup. Thank you so much. I will revisit these videos when im ready.
Willem Kossen Thanks for your kind words and support Willem, I really appreciate it my friend.
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike! Excellent tutorial! Very useful tips, Thank you for sharing! Daniel
Daniel Vilarino Thanks Daniel, I really appreciate your supportive comments.
Take care my friend
Mike
Very helpful Mike. I have turned quite a few pens but have never knew about bending the mandrel. Thanks for the tips. - Stuart
***** Glad you liked it Stu.
Cheers
Mike
Liked this very much. I was mystified on how to use the pen mandrel but not any more. Thank you for your time and effort in producing this clp.
Love the "Misery Guts".
Thank you, I'm very happy to hear that you found the video useful.
Cheers
Mike
Excellent tips again Mike. The tips about the mandrel are very helpful. I myself have experienced problems with these when I first started turning pens and learned a lot of your tips "The Hard Way" LOL. Thank you for sharing your expertise, my friend.
Stephen Ogle Thanks Stephen for your continued support, it is really appreciated my friend.
Take care
Mike
Hello again Mike,
I forgot to mention that when Brendan and I were a Robert Sorby demo in our nearest wood turning shop before Christmas we came across your Wax 22 and bought some. I'm really pleased with the result.
Thanks,
Alan.
Alan Simpson hi Alan, i'm well pleased that you like the wax, I use it on the majority of my turnings, and am always pleased with the results too.
Take care
Mike
Good video Mike, spot on just about every bit, well done mate!
Regards
Ted...
ted quinnell Thanks Ted, glad you think so, appreciate it mate.
Take care
Mike
Excellent tips for the beginning pen turner, I for one Greatly Appreciate it, Great Nuggets in this video, Thanks Mike
***** Thanks for your kind words and support Sterling, I really appreciate them my friend.
Take care
Mike
Lots of great tips Mike! Thanks for putting them all together in one video. Those mandrels can be quite a pain, I've made quite a few wobbly pens because I didn't realize I was bending the mandrel
Zac Higgins Thanks Zac, glad to be of some small assistance.
Take care
Mike
Thanks Mike, great series.
UBWoodman Thanks for watching :)
Take care
Mike
Lots of good stuff here Mike. You seem to have this pen turning rightly sorted out.
Best Wishes, Brendan.
baconsoda Thanks Brendan, I don't know about having it completely sorted, but I'm slowly getting there.
Take care
Mike
Alot of really good information Mike, thanks.
The ShavingWood Workshop Thank you
Take care
Mike
Some good tips, Mike. I was going to turn some wood today but I gave up when the thermometer read -8C overnight and I do not think my garage changed much during the day!!!
thanks
James
Thanks James, I agree THAT is a bit too cold ....for anything....lol
Take care
Mike
Mike, excellent advice. Thx a mil!
PAUL SLATER Thanks Paul
Cheers
Mike
I want to get started in making pens and this video was great!! thank you.
Glad to be of some small service to you Aldan.
Thanks for watching
Take care
Mike
Very good video as usual Mike,one way to fix the wobble on the rod is,take a piece of wood,drill a hole a little bigger than the rod itself,feed it through the rod,start the lathe,slow speed,about 300 rpms and twist the wood left or right and pull it to the end of the rod,do this a few times and it should stop the wobble.
Hope this helps,
CheersColin.
Colin Chalmers Thanks Colin, and thanks for the anti wobble tip too, will be sure to give that a try.
Take care
Mike
Another well done video. Cheers.
Brian Sinclair Thank you Brian, appreciate it.
Take care
Mike
Great video Mike good clear instruction now I have to get myself a pen kit it looks like a lot of fun
Keep on turning my friend
Albert
Albert Furtado Thanks Albert.....be warned pen turning can become addictive!
Take care
Mike
Mike,
How timely. I just took a pen turning class last night. The pen was the second round thingy I've ever made after 40+ years of square corners.
I really look forward to your videos. To me as a beginner, they are really informative and not intimidating.
Like the tips on CA and bushings.
Thank you for taking time to share your experiences.
JimE
USA
blackemmons Hi Jim, I'm glad you've got into turning again, and also that you find my videos of some use.
Take care
Mike
I have all the parts and hundreds of pen blanks from the guy I bought my lathe from... I just need to get to it. When I do, I'll definitely be rewatching this series. Well done as usual Mike!
Thanks - Kevin
Kevin Krull Very kind words Kevin, and they are much appreciated. I will warn you that turning pens can become somewhat addictive :)
Take care
Mike
Mike,
This is an excellent tutorial. I wish I had this when I started, I could have saved quite a number of ruined blanks. Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner Thanks Bob, I really appreciate an endorsement from someone who I regard as one of my pen turning Gurus.
Take care
Mike
Another very interesting and informative video Mike , I would like to have a go at pen making sometime in the future and will definitely be referring back to your pen making videos . Thanks for sharing ! All the best Bram
Bram Sharp Thanks Bram, they are fun and addictive to turn.
Take care
Mike
Thank you, it was extremely informative and very well done.
Michael Trent Thanks for watching Michael, appreciate it.
Take care
Mike
Very professional tutorial Mike. I haven't turned a pen yet, so thanks for the great explanation
Briog99 Thank you, I'm glad you found it of interest.
Cheers
Mike
Ein sehr lehrreiches Video Mike!!!
Tiroler Drechsler Danke Tirole
Cheers
Mike
Hi Mike
Great video with lots of usefull tips
It sure is damnd cold in the workshop at the moment !!
Cheers ........Andy.
Andy Paramore Thanks Andy, your right there mate, cold is an understatement, I do have a little 3Kw fan heater, but it's only good for localised heating, maybe I should strap it to my belt.....lol.
Take care
Mike
I have yet to turn any pens but this video makes me want to give it a go. Thanks Mike!
Erik Anderson Give them a try Erik, I'm sure once you have you'll enjoy it.
Take care
Mike
Guess what I got for Christmas :) Just been through your mini series mate and they are going to help no end . Can't wait to get cracking on my first pen and video.
Cheers Mike Bram
Nice one Bram, and I'm well chuffed that you found them of interest.
Enjoy your pen turning mate.
Looking forward to the videos.
Cheers
Mike
Very useful tips and I agree out of round pens can be frustrating. In addition to your suggestions, half way though truing up the blank, I loosen the knurled nut and slightly rotate each blank to create a new center. Tighten up and finish to the bushing. Also, light cuts are essential. Thanks, Mike stay warm.
Trees2Pens Thank you, and also thanks for the tips and advice, they are much appreciated, especially loosening the knurled knob.
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike... not there yet for me but surely one day I'll get a pen turning set to get rid of some of that scrap lying around!!
With your help, it'll be a nice referal to. Greetings from Luxembourg.
Paul
Paul Weis Hi Paul, believe me mate there will be no such thing as scrap, once you start pen turning.....lol.
Take care
Mike
Very informative video once again Mike. One piece of advice I was given was to use a live centre with a 60 degree point, it sits accurately in the 'cup' at the end of the rod. A lot of centres that come with lathes as standard are not 60 degrees & even slight pressure causes an ill fit/ bowing of the rod.
Again Axminster do them singly at a reasonable price or as part of a 5 piece 'multi set'. Good to see you back but your right about it being too cold to be in an unheated shop just now - well it is for my old bones anyway !!!!
Rgd's ........ Geof Harris
geofo60 Hi Geof, and thanks for the tip regarding the live centre. I have one of the Axminster ones, so I'll try that next time. Take care from a chilly Bedfordshire ;)
Mike
Great tips Mike
Take care Robbie
Robbiethewoodturner Thanks Robbie, I appreciate it my friend.
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike, this video has been really useful, thanks :-)
+Michael Flynn
Hi Michael, glad you found it useful mate.
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike been turning for about a month now add some good results pen turning going to try a box tomorrow I will try to send you some pictures now to wotching your box video loving turning best regards Tony
Hi Tony, glad to hear you're enjoying yourself. Good luck with the box.
Turn safe
Cheers
Mike
Hi Mike. I saw this while I was was reviewing various videos for hints and tips that I want to hand out at my woodturning club in a talk I am doing in January. At the end of the video you were talking about using bushings that were "CA resistant". Although I have never used CA as a finish on my pens I know a lot of members do. Also I do use CA a lot to fill small holes in Burl wood with sawdust and I have a suggestion that may help.
To stop the lids sticking each time I use CA glue (something that has caused me to throw away too many tubes of glue) just put a tiny amount of vaseline on the tip of the CA nozzle. This would also work I feel if you put a tiny amount on the end of the bushing or pen blank prior to applying the finish. Great video as always Mike - thank you very much!
Hi Phil, and thanks for the great tip mate.
Take care
Mike
As always Mike, good stuff here.
I have actually been watching your videos (and others) for some time now and had never turned a piece. It was simply fascinating to watch. Note the past tense wording...yes I have started turning and I am placing the blame square on you. ;-)
The first piece I mounted up is complete and I will try to send you some pics if I can figure out how.
Thanks for all your vids and perhaps I will post a couple when I get this down.
***** Hi Ed, I am pleased to take part of the blame my friend :). Look forward to seeing your work, and of course -Welcome to the ever growing "club".
Take care
Mike
The video is a great help for beginners.
ApexTools Thank you
Great video Mike, I turn mostly pens and I'll pass this to new newbs on our channel, but watch out, the madrel savers wear and go out of round, I have 1 that I'm fixin to replace, but have an order for 6 bottle stoppers to do, bless ya and carry on!!
Fred Sutch Thanks Fred, also thanks for the "heads up" on the mandrel savers, I'll have to keep an eye out for that.
Take care
Mike
Thank you for sharing your knowledge
Thank you for watching.
Very informative, thanks for sharing
Miguel Sanchez Thanks Miguel.
Cheers
Mike
This video is very helpful, thank you very much
Glad you found the video of use Ali and thanks for watching.
Good tips and tricks. Thanks.
Glad you found the video useful and thanks for watching.
Great tips Mike, thanks!! Could you tell me what brand mandrels you are using? The one that captures the rod looks particularly heavy duty compared to the types I have seen.
Thanks again
Dick
Nice details and different ideas.
Jack Kane Thank you Jack
Take care
Mike
that was very useful, thank you so much
Glad it was helpful Tom and thanks for watching.
You look like Fish on Barney Miller. He was an awesome actor. Great video by the way! I'm getting into pen turning.
Cheers!
+My Videos
I'll take that as a compliment........don't think Hal Linden would be so pleased though ;)
Enjoy your turning.
Take care
Mike
Actually it was Abe Vigoda.
very nice tips !
+Scott Sherfey
Thank you Scott
Cheers
Mike
Good tips!!
kbbacon Thank you Mr bacon Sir!
Cheers
Mike
Nice video, Mike. Another option to avoid turning out-of-round (OOR) blanks is to turn between centers (TBC). While it is best to use bushings designed for TBC, one can also use regular bushings as well. To do this you must have a 60° dead center in your head stock and a 60° cone center in your tailstock. TBC is, IMO, the best way to eliminate oval or OOR blanks. Granted, it take a few minutes longer to turn a two-part pen -- due to switching between bushings and blanks -- but it does provide far superior results, again, IMO.
John Walsh Thanks John, that is an interesting solution to OOR blanks, and one I will experiment with as well.
Your input is, as always, much appreciated mate.
Take care
Mike
mike that was a great video,,and needless to say,,im a big fan of yours,,i have made some pens but never tried the ca finish,,i say everytime I turn one im going to try it,,lol,,but have not yet,,have you got a video on putting a ca finish on pens,,and to drill the holes I use the dedicated pen drill chuck from penn state is the easiest way to drill them,,,,,jeff
+jeff oldham
Thanks Jeff, I haven't got a video on CA finishes but Bob of RJB Woodturner has, he is the go to channel for all things pen turning, in my opinion, here's the link
th-cam.com/video/NfqIrdu8oR8/w-d-xo.html
Hope this helps.
Take care
Mike
Nice video Mike as always very clear and straight forward.
Been wanting to try turning some pens for a good while now, where do you get your pen kits from ? ... there are so many places selling these I feel it's a jungle .. well you have a good one mate, and I'll talk to you later :)
Hi Mike, love all the videos. What is your recipe for your sanding sealer? Thanks in advance.
Doug Lundberg
Thanks Becky, I now use a pre thinned sanding sealer from Hampshire Sheen and it does the job admirably.
Hi mike
I was wondering if you could make a terra pill.
it is a traditional wooden game that test balance and hand-eye coordination and it would be very nice if you made one :)
-Cruz Rivera
Hi Mike, great tips, thanks for sharing, do you use an accelerator spray between coats of ca?cheers Martin
Marty P Thanks Marty, yes I do mate.
Cheers
Mike
Thanks for another great tutorial! I am planning to get to pen turning just to use all my scraps. I seem to remember that Robbie used 5 min epoxy as a finish but was unable to find the video that showed that process. Maybe it was Brandon? Honestly this getting old really sucks!
Earl Rumble Hi Earl, and thank you. I seem to remember the epoxy being used to glue the barrels into the blanks, but not as a finish, maybe I'm wrong, and suffering the "getting old" problem as well as you my friend :)
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike, thanks for the three videos on this, very valuable.
Are you using Stiles & Bates for supplies? Many thanks, Tim
locoformotos Thanks Tim, no mate I use various suppliers, but as yet not them.
Cheers
Mike
Your video has taught me something I had not seen before and that is how to handle the vibration at the tail. The CA glue resistance spacers, did you make them or buy?
Thanks for the help.
Jim Skaggs Hi Jim, glad it was of some use to you. I made the bushings from HDPE, I have put a link to Bobs video in the description above, well worth a watch.
Take care
Mike
hi mike i,m glad to see u very will GOD bless u and your family bye
nabil abedrabbo Thanks Nabil
Take care
Mike
that is very helpful
Glad you found it useful
Cheers
Mike
hello Mike congratulations for your work, do not understand English well and helped me with a translator.
I wonder if in your opinion what is the best possible spindle for pens between the two seen in the video?
Luca H Hi Luca, my personal preference is the second one, with the hole in the live centre, as the pressure is put on the bushings and the tube, not the bar, which reduces the chance of bending the mandrel.
Cheers
Mike
Great advice mike, thanks so much
Glad you found it of some use Val, thanks for watching
Cheers
Mike
Thanks
You can then use some polish compound and make that finish shine real good.
thanks!!
My pleasure.
Cheers
Mike
Hiya Mike is there a way to turn a pen without using a morse taper as I've just got my first lathe just a cheap one but it doesn't have a morse taper. It is 3/4x16tpi xx
Hi Vikki I can't visualise your lathe, can you give me some more information, maybe email me, my address is on the about page. Stay safe.
@@MikeWaldt I sent you a message on Facebook with pictures x
+Cruz Rivera Nice suggestion, Carl Jacobson made one a while ago here's the link:
th-cam.com/video/lPOsYYm-a2M/w-d-xo.html
Hope this helps
Take care
Mike
Hi Mike.
I want to start woodturning and I have been wanting to do so for years! I can finally afford a lathe but it is the cheapest one available in a proper size for my liking.
Would the Axminster Hobby Series AWSL be a good lathe to start with ?
And what tool kit would you recommend ?
Love your videos, you are a true inspiration to me :)
Thanks in advance :)
***** Hi Ingvar, the hobby series are good starter lathes in my opinion. The Axminster tool sets are a good place to start regarding tools as well. Don't forget you'll need a grinder too, to keep the tools as sharp as possible.
Take care
Mike
Thank you so much for the reply :)
I have access to a grinder until I get my own, getting the lathe & basic chisel set to start off with, will just be practicing for some time before I buy more stuff, I have a bunch of wood scraps I can use for practice :)
Thanks again!
All the best
Ingo
***** My pleasure Ingo, if you need any more help with anything, just send me a PM.
Take care, and above all, enjoy and be safe.
Mike
Great tips Mike, thanks! What material did you make those CA resistant bushings from? Coll
Collin French Thanks Colin. Oops I forgot to say....it's HDPE, I'll put a link to Robs video on turning them, here and in the description, thanks for pointing out my forgetfulness :)
Take care
Mike
th-cam.com/video/KSXlS89qmCM/w-d-xo.html
Thanks Mike. :) I have ordered some from evilbay this afternoon. 20mmx500mm for a fiver with free postage. Should get a few out of that...
Collin French Sounds the same as I got Collin
....let me know what you think.
Cheers
Mike
Hi, I'm new to your channel. I have enjoyed your tutorial, it was delivered very well. Just one question, where do you get all your supplies from in UK?
Hi Jim and thank you.
The companies I use mainly and they are in no particular order are:
Hope Woodturning
Yorkshire Grit
Hampshire Sheen
Oliver's Woodturning
Axminster Tools & Machinery
The Tool Post
for band saw blades ... Tuff Saws.
Hope this helps.
Happy New year
Mike
@@MikeWaldt Thanks bud, nice to see a bit of 'Yorkshire grit'
I've seen several videos about pen making and one of the main problems it seems is drilling the hole centrally through the wood or acrylic block. People have said they will have to make a jig and I've seen one guy 'eyeing' the block prior to drilling, and the hole was well off centre as a result. Surely the obvious answer is to turn the square block round between centres, mount it in a chuck on the head stock and drill from the tail stock. Providing the head and tail stock are in line the hole has to be central.......or as a metal turner, am I missing something?
Hi Bob, you're right, that is one good method, I use my pillar drill, and providing I drill slowly and remove the bit often I get a nice straight hole.
Great Video .. How do you like Pen turning so far?
Custom Chris Thanks Chris.......I think it's safe to say that I have caught the bug ;)
Cheers
Mike
interesting as always Mike. But being new to woodturning why all the paraphanalia as against ordinary spindle cutting between centres. I'm sure there must be a reason.
Thanks Paul ... I'm not sure I understand what you mean about paraphernalia.
@@MikeWaldt The pieces of metal between pieces of wood Mike. I have never turned pens, but I wondered why the pen couldn't be cut from a single piece of wood. Sure there is an explanation for it. But love your video's
He would be good at a job of narrated stories and/or audio book podcasts,etc
Thank you Daniel ... maybe I would be better at that than I am at woodturning ...lol
Take care
Mike
Mike in all respect to you, there is one reason you would still be turning oval pens... that's if you are live Center isn't truly live on the lathe itself... That may cause oval pens also... Many blessings to you!
Hi Tracy, and you are of course right too. Thanks for the input my friend.
Cheers
Mike