A short while ago we had relations come for a visit and the talk got around to my workshop and hobbies (surprise!).
Could I make them a pen? Well not something I usually do and have no pen making kit so a bit of quick lateral thinking was called for.
I found a nicely figured piece of yew (well oversize for a pen) and with a long bit managed to get a hole right through it. Of course it was nowhere near central both ends but be very oversized there was plenty of wood to play with.
Roughed-up a piece of steel rod to jam and glue tightly in one end to mount in chuck on headstock and used the hole on other end to mount on the tailstock live centre.
It worked, and by the time I'd turned it down to pen size the through hole was, of course, central through the wood.
Dismantled a plastic advertising pen we'd acquired from somewhere for the other bits.
Wasn't difficult and I, and they, were pleased with the result but if I intended to make more pens I think I'd invest in the proper kit
