Pen turning..... what do I need?

[damo8604]

Hi All,

I'm picking up a DML24x MkII this weekend and want to try my hand at turning some pens.....

Would someone be so kind as to tell me what I need in order to do this please? I got as far as ordering pen blanks...... that's it :-(

Kind regards
Damian

 

[woodpig]

Does this help?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/media/downlo ... manual.pdf

 

[damo8604]

That's smashing thank you, I'm thinking of ordering a Planet Universal pen turning kit as I assume that has all the mandrels/trimmers/drill bits/bushings I need. I haven't picked up my lathe yet so I'll hold off purchasing until I know what size I need, I assume it's 1MT and I don't know if it comes with a live tail stock or not

 

[Spindle]

Hi

You're correct, your choice of lathe has a 1MT. I have the Planet pen mandrel and it's very good but that price seems a bit steep, (maybe I'm just out of touch), have you looked at buying the basic mandrel and adding bushes / mandrels as needed? If you know someone with a metalworking lathe the bushes and additional mandrels are very easy to produce.

Regards Mick

 

[woodpig]

This looks like a nice tool.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-de ... l-ax802501

Might actually buy one myself in the not too future.

 

[Dalboy]

Have a look HERE there may be other threads you will need to do a search of the forum

 

[Sheptonphil]

This looks like a nice tool.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-de ... l-ax802501

Might actually buy one myself in the not too future.

I have that one, but bent the mandrel. When in Axminster I picked this one up http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ev ... l-ax942635. It's only a fiver extra over the deluxe, but much, much nicer to use especially when I make two types of pen at the same time and I swap pieces around between turning and finishing.

Phil

 

[woodpig]

Thanks for that Phil, looks like a clever idea.

Edit: it looks like you can use this with a standard mandrel to the same effect?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ev ... e-ax938693

Edit 2: I was thinking about getting one of these for turning small stuff so I could combine it with the mandrel saver for pen turning. Just need a shaft and some spacers as I have suitable ER20 collets.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ER20-MT2-M10- ... Sw7FRWZ63I

 

[Lons]

Be careful, there can be very slight differences in the diameter of the mandrel rod between brands. I have the Axi revolution which includes the mandrel saver and it's pretty decent.

I'd suggest you buy a decent one as you'll find pen making is addictive but if you want a cheap mandrel to just have a go, there's a guy on ebay selling them for £19 delivered ( terryl194511 ).
The important thing if not using a mandrel saver in the tailstock is don't overtighten. You could of course turn a pen between centres without too many problems and maybe practice with wood offcuts before risking the blanks you bought.
You could even buy some 1/4" or 6mm rod, thread one end to take a nut and put the drive end into a collet or Jacobs chuck.

If you haven't already Damian, join http://www.penturners.co.uk/ and you'll get all the help and advice you will ever need.

Bob

 

[damo8604]

Thanks for the advice guys and I will join penturners.co.uk

 

[Lons]

Thanks for the advice guys and I will join penturners.co.uk

just be warned though, they're all nuts ('cept me). :wink: