Dakota pen kit.

[jordec66]

Has anyone got any experience of the Dakota deluxe pen turning kit? it's currently on offer at Rutlands for £35, I am wondering if the mandrel is compatible with different makes of pen kits, bushings etc.

Thanks
Declan.

 

[nev]

Has anyone got any experience of the Dakota deluxe pen turning kit? it's currently on offer at Rutlands for £35, I am wondering if the mandrel is compatible with different makes of pen kits, bushings etc.

Thanks
Declan.

yep! Ive had one for a while now and made 50+ pens with no issues at all. The only bushings i ever had a problem with were from axminster (too tight) but all others (timberbits, funeturnz, pencrafts, psi, TR, Turners workshop etc ) were fine.
go for it

 

[jordec66]

Thanks Nev, that's the kind of reassurance I was looking for before spending my hard earned pennies.

 

[Martin10]

I bought one and it seems well enough made, but there were no instructions. I am a complete novice turner, and managed to turn a working pen, but it didn't seem to end up with the pen bits flush where I expected (I was following various example videos from the internet). I turned the barrels down so they were flush with the bushes, but the fittings are still much narrower than the turned parts. I would really appreciate it if anyone reading this could exchange a couple of PMs to sort me out as I am sure I am doing something silly.

Martin

 

[Robbo3]

Martin - Each pen kit requires a specific size of bushing. If you used eg 8mm bushes for a 7mm pen kit then the turned part would end up 1mm over size.

HTH
Regards
Robbo

 

[Martin10]

Thanks Robbo. I was using the kits that came free with the Dakota package though, so I assume they were "correct" and the bushings and kits match. There is no taper on the actual barrels though (ie you end up turning two cylinders), but the fittings are significantly smaller diameter than these barrels, so you get steps. I am sure I am doing something daft, but can't see what.

Martin

 

[nev]

If I remember correctly mine never had any instructions either (although it was stated as part of the contents) i called rutlands and they immediately emailed me some. (been looking but i cant find them at the mo)

I have learned over time that the bushes for each kit, regardless of origin, should be used as a rough guide. I generally turn the blank to a mil or two oversize and then use a pair of calipers to measure the adjacent bit of pen kit, and finish the final sizing with the abrasive. (carefully because its a fine line between just right and too much.)
also if whilst sanding you go over the bushes you are reducing them in size each time. its minimal but it all adds up over time.

Edit: I did remember correctly new-pen-making-kit-t52296.html

 

[Martin10]

Thanks Folks. I have dug the kit out (it arrive over Christmas so I only had one quick play) and explored with my new digital calipers! I think the bushes (as suggested in the link you provided) are not related to the kits. They are about 4mm bigger in diameter so I guess you need to turn down the pens by measurement. The actual pen kits are not that good, so I will buy some bushes to go with the better kits I want to get.

Declan, my view of the Dakota kits now (as that is where this started) is that it isn't really a "starter" kit (in the sense that it is suited to beginners - which was what I wanted). The various bits are OK though.

Martin

 

[heatherw]

You should have 2 sets of bushes with that kit, Martin, one set which is cone shaped which are universal, and one set which is cylindrical and much smaller, which are for the 7mm pen kits supplied, and only measure about 8mm themselves. At least, that's what the old 'Dakota kit was like, maybe they've changed the new one?

 

[Martin10]

Ooooooh!! I am an idiot!! All of the videos I watched on pen turning talked about the "spacers" you put between the bushes, which were little cylinders. Faced with three obvious bushes and three (seemingly) obvious spacers ...

The cyindrical bushes are 8.5 mm - just the size of the pen fitting!
Might try turning a pen during the week!
This website is very useful.
Thanks people

Martin