Good one. I'll give it a try with a wooden dowel in a minute. Right. Ow I'm working on a jig to cut off the corners on pen blanks. Thanks for all your great ideas. I know they are all old hat to most, but its all new to this old geezer.
Another great idea. I was trying to come up with a homemade solution for not having one. I thought that a squeeze clamp would probably suffice but I’m not sure that it gives me the control that is really required. Making your own tools is much more gratifying.
This is a good one to make because you control the pressure with the tailstock. I think it’s a finer adjustment than a clamp. Don’t get hung up on the #2 MT. As long as they fit and have a lip big enough and round enough you’re all set. Regards, Bob
I wondered why you would want to assemble pens on the lathe when you have a good pen press. Now that I know I wish I had a set like those. Good video. Thanks for sharing.
Well just finished up making these parts to press pens on my lathe as I don't yet have a pen press. I used 3/4 UHMW. I also don't have a jaw chuck, a drill chuck for the lathe (or a drill press), or a parting tool (which is one of the next things I am going to get) so I had to get creative. They don't look quite as good as yours, and I will test them out in the next day or two once I apply the finish to my first pen. Either way, once I get the above items I will be remaking them as I am sure they will turn out better. Thanks for the video. I have gained a lot of knowledge and things like these pen press bushings, the non-stick bushings, reverse switch, etc have been invaluable.
Yes it's a great idea, I made mine 3 years ago after seeing them in woodcraft catalog, now penn state industries has magnetic press heads for sale in their catalog that are thinner than having the #2 mt tail on them.
Michael Reed I got that set a few years ago. They work fairly well though after regular use, the magnets tend to fall out regularly and attach to the inside of the head/tail stock. You have to have a punch or awl handy to dig them out and re-attach them back onto the plastic. Since the plastic is HDPE, they won't glue in. I like this method. I'll be turning myself a pair. I'd definitely go with the harder Delrin than HDPE.
Oh boy now I want to make a set. Thanks Bob for the idea. But i have a different way of making mine, who knows i mite make a video of it, MAYBE....have a great week
Just what I needed thanks for the great video. I’ve seen these for sale on US websites but they are not available in the UK. I bought some Delrin on eBay for £5.50. (About $7) and had enough to make 2 pairs. Just pressed my first pen with them no problem. Thanks very much.
I've never used a pen press Bob, always pressed pens together on the lathe. The only difference is I hold the parts I made in the four jaw chuck and a Jacobs chuck in the tail stock!! Yours is ideal for traveling around etc.
With 3 small scraps of wood, make a guage block for creating Morse tapers by gluing a couple "walls" alongside one of your drive center tapers. With this you can hold this new tool up to a taper you're turning and get a good visual idea of how it will fit into your lathe. Mount a small disc onto one end of a wooden taper, center drill it to contain a rod to fit whatever size brass tube and with a little spray adhesive you've got a very capable small powered disc sander you can take to any lathe on the road with you. Remove bulk material with the outer part of the disc and slip the tube onto the fitted rod and it make a nice flush sander to do final cleanup. If you ever have to go overboard with CA glue, this works pretty well for touching up the end of a finished blank just before pressing too.
my pen press has a screw on the jaw you set. it is great for putting in the transmition. I lower the handle and then put the pen and transmition in. a few turns of the knob and the transmition goes in . I can adjust it very easily with very little chance of pushing it in too far
Great job Bob, got me thinking about making a set out of the leftover HDPE I have from bushings I have made in past. Thanks for sharing the ideas and how you did it.
You recommended 3/4" diameter for doing the ca finish bushings. Would I need 1" for doing the press bushings or would 3/4" work for these as well? Going to be getting a rod for making both, rather just one that is the right thickness for both, rather than two different ones.
Doesn't look like 1" radius.. did you mean diameter? Nice project.. And you are correct.. it's Delrin. Great turning material on a metal lathe. Never tried it on a wood lathe.
Hi Bob ! Great idea ! We're did you get the beautiful pen with the dog picture ? Love your videos I learn something new at every video ! Thanks and have a great weekend !👍Vic
Got a tip: when turning plastics or acrylics, use a medium bristle toothbrush to clear the shavings while the the lathe is turning. You will be amazed at easy they clear off the work piece. Nice idea. I'm making some when I get home from work tonight.
I have been using a trusty "HFT" ratcheting bar clamp as a press.. worked OK, I was considering making something like you did for my drill press. However I would rather press with the pen horizontal, so I can better ensure the parts are aligned properly.. Then I saw you video...Great idea.. I made a set very similar using some scrap "dimensional" fir....next pen, I'll give 'em a try.. Thanx again for your videos. I love the ideas (my wife thinks I'm a genius).
I made mine out of scrap maple, Wish I had watched this video first because I did a good fit on the morse tapers which makes them difficult to remove from the tailstock.
Good one. I'll give it a try with a wooden dowel in a minute. Right. Ow I'm working on a jig to cut off the corners on pen blanks. Thanks for all your great ideas. I know they are all old hat to most, but its all new to this old geezer.
Thank you Bill,
Make sure to pad that wood dowel so you don’t damage your pen components.
Regards,
Bob
Great idea Bob. Great use of the Delrin blank. Thanks for the shout out.
+Don Peters Thank you Don,
I've been wanting to do this for a while, I just had to wait until the timing was right.
Regards,
Bob
Another great idea. I was trying to come up with a homemade solution for not having one. I thought that a squeeze clamp would probably suffice but I’m not sure that it gives me the control that is really required. Making your own tools is much more gratifying.
This is a good one to make because you control the pressure with the tailstock. I think it’s a finer adjustment than a clamp. Don’t get hung up on the #2 MT. As long as they fit and have a lip big enough and round enough you’re all set.
Regards,
Bob
I wondered why you would want to assemble pens on the lathe when you have a good pen press. Now that I know I wish I had a set like those. Good video.
Thanks for sharing.
+denis daurer Thank you Dennis.
Regards,
Bob
Well just finished up making these parts to press pens on my lathe as I don't yet have a pen press. I used 3/4 UHMW. I also don't have a jaw chuck, a drill chuck for the lathe (or a drill press), or a parting tool (which is one of the next things I am going to get) so I had to get creative. They don't look quite as good as yours, and I will test them out in the next day or two once I apply the finish to my first pen. Either way, once I get the above items I will be remaking them as I am sure they will turn out better. Thanks for the video. I have gained a lot of knowledge and things like these pen press bushings, the non-stick bushings, reverse switch, etc have been invaluable.
Thank you, I appreciate your note and am happy my videos have helped you.
Regards,
Bob
Great home made project Bob.Thanks for sharing
+Ron Parrott Thank you Ron.
Regards,
Bob
Impressive as always. I am constantly learning from your videos. Thanks.
+Michael Vonderheide Thank you Michael.
Regards,
Bob
Yes it's a great idea, I made mine 3 years ago after seeing them in woodcraft catalog, now penn state industries has magnetic press heads for sale in their catalog that are thinner than having the #2 mt tail on them.
+Michael Reed Thank you Michael,
I appreciate the info on the magnetic blanks press blocks from Penn State, I hadn't seen those yet.
Regards,
Bob
Michael Reed I got that set a few years ago. They work fairly well though after regular use, the magnets tend to fall out regularly and attach to the inside of the head/tail stock. You have to have a punch or awl handy to dig them out and re-attach them back onto the plastic. Since the plastic is HDPE, they won't glue in.
I like this method. I'll be turning myself a pair. I'd definitely go with the harder Delrin than HDPE.
+Allan Wolfe Thank you Allen,
This is great information about the magnets.
Regards,
Bob
Oh boy now I want to make a set. Thanks Bob for the idea. But i have a different way of making mine, who knows i mite make a video of it, MAYBE....have a great week
+Robert Evans I hope you do make a video, I'd love to see your idea.
Regards,
Bob
This is an excellent hack. Haven't got the funds yet for a press so I'll be making a set of these for sure!
+Shane Betmarik Thank you Shane.
Regards,
Bob
I guess it's always good to have more than one way of doing the same thing. Good idea
+Mike Turner Thank you Mike,
I would have replied sooner but I've been hanging out with some bum named Lynn Lacey for the last two days.
Regards,
Bob
Just got done making a set. awesome. thanks
Very cool Brian.
Regards,
Bob
Those seem to work great . Nice one take care.
+Glen mckelvey Thank you Glen.
Regards,
Bob
Just what I needed thanks for the great video. I’ve seen these for sale on US websites but they are not available in the UK. I bought some Delrin on eBay for £5.50. (About $7) and had enough to make 2 pairs. Just pressed my first pen with them no problem. Thanks very much.
This awesome! I’m glad you told me this because I have many turning friends in he U.K. I can pass this along to.
Regards,
Bob
What an awesome idea Bob...I think I will copy this idea...thanks for sharing...cheers.../
+The Baby-Boomer Miner thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Great Bob. I'm going to use this idea
+Carlos Zarate Thank you Carlos,
I've pressed several pens with this set and they seem to work great.
Regards,
Bob
Neat idea Bob
+Redthumb45 Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
I've never used a pen press Bob, always pressed pens together on the lathe. The only difference is I hold the parts I made in the four jaw chuck and a Jacobs chuck in the tail stock!! Yours is ideal for traveling around etc.
+BlueBoy9055 Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
With 3 small scraps of wood, make a guage block for creating Morse tapers by gluing a couple "walls" alongside one of your drive center tapers. With this you can hold this new tool up to a taper you're turning and get a good visual idea of how it will fit into your lathe. Mount a small disc onto one end of a wooden taper, center drill it to contain a rod to fit whatever size brass tube and with a little spray adhesive you've got a very capable small powered disc sander you can take to any lathe on the road with you. Remove bulk material with the outer part of the disc and slip the tube onto the fitted rod and it make a nice flush sander to do final cleanup. If you ever have to go overboard with CA glue, this works pretty well for touching up the end of a finished blank just before pressing too.
+Bill Kibby Great advise Bill,
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
that gives me more of an idea how to cut a morse taper cheers bob a big THANKS
Thank you Tony.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome idea, thanks for sharing!
+Joan Busby Thank you Joan.
Regards,
Bob
OK Bob Where can I get some of that Delrin? Thanks for making this. It's a super idea for those who are starting out and don't have a fancy pen press.
I’ve been buying it off eBay.
Regards,
Bob
my pen press has a screw on the jaw you set. it is great for putting in the transmition. I lower the handle and then put the pen and transmition in. a few turns of the knob and the transmition goes in . I can adjust it very easily with very little chance of pushing it in too far
+MelbourneAlan I haven't seen that one but is sounds like a great idea.
Regards,
Bob
awsome video, may I ask what pen kit is this? looking good!
I believe that is a Gatsby from Penn State.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks bob!
Great job Bob, got me thinking about making a set out of the leftover HDPE I have from bushings I have made in past. Thanks for sharing the ideas and how you did it.
+David Shelton Thank you David.
Regards,
Bob
can these be made with a hard wood? Good video Thanks
+Charles Reicks Yes but I'd put a rubber ot leather pad on it.
Regards,
Bob
Good show.
+Lee Waterman Thank you Lee.
Regards,
Bob
This is really nice
How can i get these same tools for such a pen with the same kit?
Thank you, creator.
Please look at the video description of some of my newer videos, I include a tool listing with links to Amazon.
Regards,
Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner Thank you so much 🌹
You recommended 3/4" diameter for doing the ca finish bushings. Would I need 1" for doing the press bushings or would 3/4" work for these as well? Going to be getting a rod for making both, rather just one that is the right thickness for both, rather than two different ones.
Pretty much any diameter will work. Just leave plenty of length so it doesn’t get shoved back into the Morse Taper.
Regards,
Bob
Doesn't look like 1" radius.. did you mean diameter? Nice project.. And you are correct.. it's Delrin. Great turning material on a metal lathe. Never tried it on a wood lathe.
+Spinzwood Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Hi love your Chanel I have a set of them for my lathe but the morse tapers are metal and you just buy the plastic grommets
+Brett Cunningham Nice,
I haven't seen that set before.
Regards,
Bob
Hi Bob ! Great idea ! We're did you get the beautiful pen with the dog picture ? Love your videos I learn something new at every video ! Thanks and have a great weekend !👍Vic
Thank you Victor,
Mike Delawter made the blank for me and I turned it.
Regards,
Bob
I have a set made from HDPE and put rubber o-rings on them to hold in better to the morse taper
+Scott Clark Nice idea Scott.
Regards,
Bob
Good job, and nice idea. It looks like it works so well you might want to use it even at home.
+Malcolm Connor I just bought a new pen press, LOL. I'll keep these for on site turning.
Regards
Bob
Nice work. I drill my pen blanks, square my pen blanks, turn my pens, and press my pens all on the lathe.
+Brent Lenahan Nice, I'm looking to simplify the pile of stuff I have to travel with.
Regards,
Bob
Can you use wood also?
Jerry Fuqua yes you can use wood as well but I would suggest applying a piece of leather to the faces so you won't marr the finish of your kits.
+Jerry Fuqua Hello Jerry,
Michaels advise was spot on.
Regards,
Bob
+Michael Reed Thank you Michael.
Regards,
Bob
Got a tip: when turning plastics or acrylics, use a medium bristle toothbrush to clear the shavings while the the lathe is turning. You will be amazed at easy they clear off the work piece.
Nice idea. I'm making some when I get home from work tonight.
+Nicholas G. Poladian Great tip Nicholas.
Regards,
Bob
I have been using a trusty "HFT" ratcheting bar clamp as a press.. worked OK, I was considering making something like you did for my drill press. However I would rather press with the pen horizontal, so I can better ensure the parts are aligned properly.. Then I saw you video...Great idea.. I made a set very similar using some scrap "dimensional" fir....next pen, I'll give 'em a try.. Thanx again for your videos. I love the ideas (my wife thinks I'm a genius).
Thank you,
Regards,
Bob
why not use just hard wood instead of Derlin?
+L.R. Norris it would work just fine but you would require some padding so as not to mar the kit.
thanks!
I made mine out of scrap maple, Wish I had watched this video first because I did a good fit on the morse tapers which makes them difficult to remove from the tailstock.
Watch out. He'll get you in trouble
+Mike Turner I didn't realize you two were related.