| Although the craft of turning wood pens has been | | | | many people use is a set of number, letter, and |
| around for several decades, it recently has | | | | fractional drill bits from Harbor Freight. With a |
| experienced somewhat of a revival. This is perhaps | | | | conversion chart, you will be able to find almost any |
| primarily due to the increased choices within the | | | | size bit needed in this set. They often are found on |
| category of smaller mini-lathe power tools. | | | | sale at Harbor Freight for less than $40.o Drill press or |
| Another reason for the popularity of turning pens is | | | | hand drill: Not much to say here, you are going to |
| the low start up investment in tools. Not only is the | | | | need something to turn the drill bits you bought. I've |
| investment low, the tools used have a very long life | | | | used a small bench drill press (less than $50) before |
| span and could even be passed down to the next | | | | and it worked fine. A hand drill will do, you just have |
| generation. | | | | to have a steady hand!o Saw: Either a table, band, or |
| Listed below are the items to consider investing in to | | | | a miter saw will work. The table saw and band saw |
| start pen turning:o Lathe: This one should be obvious | | | | are especially useful if you choose to cut you own |
| and you will find several options to choose from. The | | | | pen blanks. Plan on spending a few bucks here, you |
| price for a new lathe will range between $100 to | | | | and your budget will be the guide on this one. For |
| about $500 (all prices shown are March '08), | | | | more information on cutting your own pen blanks, |
| depending on brand and features. I suggest you | | | | see my ezine article on the subject.o Clamps or |
| reading more about lathes in my ezine article | | | | bench vise: You will need something to press or |
| reviewing the Jet Mini-lathe. In the article, I explain | | | | squeeze the pen kit together. I've also used the |
| the process of how I chose my lathe.o Turning Tools: | | | | bench drill press for this step.o Pen Mill: This is a |
| I think you will need at least a gouge, parting tool, | | | | specialized tool, used to square your blanks after |
| and scraper. Others may have a different list. One | | | | drilling and gluing in your tubes. You most likely will |
| set of turning tools often recommended for stating | | | | purchase the pen mill from the same place you |
| out is the Harbor Freight lathe tool set that sell for | | | | ordered your kits. It will run about $20. Be aware |
| less than $40. You can buy much better if you like, | | | | there are several sizes of pilots available for the |
| but this set will be more than adequate.o Pen | | | | different pen kits or consider a complete kit with |
| Mandrel: Think of the pen mandrel as a metal bar | | | | cutters and pilot shafts of different sizes. Usually the |
| that fits between the "centers" of the lathe. The pen | | | | complete kit will be less expensive that buying the |
| mandrel holds the wood blanks so you can turn them. | | | | individual pilot shafts.o Miscellaneous items: From here, |
| There are several types available. I suggest you start | | | | we could go on and on. For starters you will need |
| with a collet closure mandrel, they offer a lot of | | | | pen kits, pen blanks, CA (super) glue, and various |
| flexibility when turning different lengths of blanks. | | | | grits of sandpaper. Likely, you will find you need |
| You will spend about $20 or less for a good | | | | other small items as you go, but these won't usually |
| mandrel.o Bushings: The bushings are used as a guide | | | | cost a lot of money. |
| when turning your blanks to size for the specific pen | | | | For many of the larger more expensive items check |
| kit you are building. You will want to buy the bushings | | | | eBay or Craig's List. Often you will find tools listed for |
| sized for the pen you are turning. Be aware that pen | | | | sale at good prices on those web sites. |
| kits and bushing from different manufactures may | | | | With this list, you will be well on your way to an |
| not be interchangeable. Later, when you develop | | | | exciting and enjoyable hobby that will last a lifetime. |
| more skill, you can use dial calipers to turn to size and | | | | In addition, don't forget that with these tools not |
| you may choose not to use bushings at all.o Drill | | | | only will you be turning pens, but also bowls and |
| Bit(s): Each style of pen will use a specific size drill bit | | | | other craft items. Indeed, it could even turn into |
| to drill the hole for the brass tube. The most | | | | additional part time income. |
| common is a 7mm used in the Slimline style. You can | | | | So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and get |
| buy the drill bits individually or in a set. A set that | | | | started. |