Time for some turning

[flarud]

Used a lathe today for the first time in 32 years, since back in high school.  Took a pen making class at the local Rockler.  I got to make 2 pens there and came home and made one more after I got the new lathe all set up.  Pics aren't very good.  Pens aren't really that good to tell ya the truth.  But it was fun.  Something new for me to learn.  The top 2 are made from some crotch Walnut with gold hardware on one and silver hardware on the other. The bottom one is Olivewood. 

[Foxfold]

They look nice. Never used a lathe although Tony has one, I envy you your skill.

[don watson]

A good start to the use of a lathe. Pen making is very addictive. DAMHIK

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Yes be careful pen making is another addictive hobby. I have made many pens from all kinds of material and they can be rewarding in feel good and also $$. Continued success.

[Scrappile]

I went through the pen making a few years ago.  It is a fun hobby and like said, addictive.  For sometime every thing I looked at I was wondering how it would look as pen material.  It can consume a person.  Kind of like scroll sawing can.

Edited January 12, 2020 by Scrappile

[amazingkevin]

Looks like it will take more than a pretty penny to buy one of these!!!

[new2woodwrk]

I don't have a lathe myself, but they look darn good to me

[Rockytime]

Nice pens. I'm partial to olive wood.

[flarud]

Thanks everyone!  I knew that there were a few pen makers on here.  I tried to turn an acrylic blank yesterday.  A small piece broke off when I was almost done with it.  Is acrylic harder to turn than wood or did I just do something wrong?  Maybe a bad piece of acrylic?

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

3 hours ago, flarud said:

Thanks everyone!  I knew that there were a few pen makers on here.  I tried to turn an acrylic blank yesterday.  A small piece broke off when I was almost done with it.  Is acrylic harder to turn than wood or did I just do something wrong?  Maybe a bad piece of acrylic?

No acrylic is a little harder to turn but easily done. Some people just CA glue the piece back on and turn from there. Not all acrylic is acrylic so some are very fussy to turn. But sharp tools and a light touch are key. Always turn ends toward the center and not center toward ends. The reason is the blank is more supported that way. When you get really close to bushings then you can take a light pass across the entire blank. I like to make that pass with my skew. I will turn most of the blank down with a round carbide cutter head. I do not like the square because they can dig in on the points.  I suggest you join the forum IAP penturners https://www.penturners.org/ This IS the best pen turning site on the net and has soooooooooo much info and the members are first rate. Answer any and all questions. 

 

Edited January 14, 2020 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[flarud]

40 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

No acrylic is a little harder to turn but easily done. Some people just CA glue the piece back on and turn from there. Not all acrylic is acrylic so some are very fussy to turn. But sharp tools and a light touch are key. Always turn ends toward the center and not center toward ends. The reason is the blank is more supported that way. When you get really close to bushings then you can take a light pass across the entire blank. I like to make that pass with my skew. I will turn most of the blank down with a round carbide cutter head. I do not like the square because they can dig in on the points.  I suggest you join the forum IAP penturners https://www.penturners.org/ This IS the best pen turning site on the net and has soooooooooo much info and the members are first rate. Answer any and all questions. 

 

I used the square carbide to get it round and switched to the round carbide from there.  I'm pretty sure the reason why it chipped is that I was going to deep,, should have took lighter passes.  I will definitely check out the forum in your link. Thanks