BEAUTIFUL WORK ON THOSE PENS SIR!!! I'M A LADY PEN TURNER, NEW TO THE CRAFT AND ENJOY IT MUCH! MADE MY LATHE OUT OF AN UP SIDE DOWN DRILL WITH A PIECE OF A 2 X 4 FOR A TOOL REST! SO YOU CAN TELL I'M ON A BUDGET! FOR MY PEN PRESS I CUT UP MY CUTTING BOARD, LIKE YOUR CUTTING BOARD, GLUED 1 1/2 INCH SQUARED PIECES OF SAID CUTTING BOARD TO A WOOD CLAMP, AS TO NOT DAMAGE THE PENS WHILE BEING PRESSED, AND IT WORKS GREAT!!! I ALSO MADE SOME NON-STICK BUSHINGS OUT OF THE CUTTING BOARD AS WELL WHICH WORKS WHEN A CA FINISH IS APPLIED! THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR WONDERFUL CREATIONS AND TALENT!!! STAY SAFE AND STRONG!!!
Thanks Jim. It certainly works but I need to work out something better. You can get special arbours for the job but the prices are ridiculous! See you at Coventry :)
Thanks Keith. I am on hold with the banjo. My supplier is having a few problems. I hope to get cracking on with it soon but I have to be patient! I am itching to get on with it :)
A very well put together two parter Ian, and two beautiful looking pens at the end. I will refer to this when I turn some more pens if (and I'm sure I will) lose my way a bit ;). Not long before we finally get to meet in person mate, and I'm really looking forward to doing so. Take care Mike
Many thanks Mike. I enjoyed turning the pens and I enjoyed making the video. One thing you realise when you start making public videos is that it makes you question everything you do and by doing so, helps to improve your techniques. I can't wait for the weekend, it is going to be awesome ;)
Super tips Ian, I particularly like the pen mill and centre band tip to check for square. If you made a little wooden top for the end of your live centre it would make your life a bit easier pressing pens together. Don't bother with a pen press, they are ok but you don't need one. A bit like a lot of our tools. I wish I had been able to go to Coventry but, hopefully, it will run again next year and I'll get a chance to meet a lot of you guys. Best Wishes, Brendan.
Thanks Brendan! I also use the mandrill itself to check for square. Either way works. Great idea on the live centre, thanks :) Sorry I will miss you in Coventry but hopefully next year!
Great video Ian. I did mean to mention on the last one that fro drilling I've changed to a shorter bit for the small pen blanks as that cuts down on it being so off center.
Hi Ian just subscribed to your channel the first video I watched was the Yue table lamp and now the pen turning 1 a 2 great videos thanks for sharing 🪚🔨
There is a product that turns your lathe into a pen press it is made by SAWDUST BROS. I got mine at WOODCRAFT, you might be able to find one at your wood working supply store.. i got mine at
Hi and thanks for your comment. I will check that out. In the meantime, I made a couple of wooden arbors for my lathe. You can see them in my 'Making a Sierra Pencil' video. Happy New Year :)
BEAUTIFUL WORK ON THOSE PENS SIR!!! I'M A LADY PEN TURNER, NEW TO THE CRAFT AND ENJOY IT MUCH! MADE MY LATHE OUT OF AN UP SIDE DOWN DRILL WITH A PIECE OF A 2 X 4 FOR A TOOL REST! SO YOU CAN TELL I'M ON A BUDGET! FOR MY PEN PRESS I CUT UP MY CUTTING BOARD, LIKE YOUR CUTTING BOARD, GLUED 1 1/2 INCH SQUARED PIECES OF SAID CUTTING BOARD TO A WOOD CLAMP, AS TO NOT DAMAGE THE PENS WHILE BEING PRESSED, AND IT WORKS GREAT!!! I ALSO MADE SOME NON-STICK BUSHINGS OUT OF THE CUTTING BOARD AS WELL WHICH WORKS WHEN A CA FINISH IS APPLIED!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR WONDERFUL CREATIONS AND TALENT!!! STAY SAFE AND STRONG!!!
Great video Ian, I like the idea of using the tailstock as a press. I will hopefully see you on the 18th. Cheers, Jim
Thanks Jim. It certainly works but I need to work out something better. You can get special arbours for the job but the prices are ridiculous! See you at Coventry :)
Really interesting couple of videos Ian. Very enjoyable and informative. Well done. About time we had an update on the banjo though :)
Thanks Keith. I am on hold with the banjo. My supplier is having a few problems. I hope to get cracking on with it soon but I have to be patient! I am itching to get on with it :)
A very well put together two parter Ian, and two beautiful looking pens at the end. I will refer to this when I turn some more pens if (and I'm sure I will) lose my way a bit ;). Not long before we finally get to meet in person mate, and I'm really looking forward to doing so.
Take care
Mike
Many thanks Mike. I enjoyed turning the pens and I enjoyed making the video. One thing you realise when you start making public videos is that it makes you question everything you do and by doing so, helps to improve your techniques.
I can't wait for the weekend, it is going to be awesome ;)
Nice two-parter Ian, cheers Harry
Cheers Harry, my first 2 parter. I must try not to get in the habit :)
Super tips Ian, I particularly like the pen mill and centre band tip to check for square. If you made a little wooden top for the end of your live centre it would make your life a bit easier pressing pens together. Don't bother with a pen press, they are ok but you don't need one. A bit like a lot of our tools.
I wish I had been able to go to Coventry but, hopefully, it will run again next year and I'll get a chance to meet a lot of you guys.
Best Wishes, Brendan.
Thanks Brendan! I also use the mandrill itself to check for square. Either way works. Great idea on the live centre, thanks :)
Sorry I will miss you in Coventry but hopefully next year!
Great video Ian. I did mean to mention on the last one that fro drilling I've changed to a shorter bit for the small pen blanks as that cuts down on it being so off center.
Thanks Paul. I have also changed to shorter bits without a brad point. I find them more stable. At least on this lathe!
Hi Ian just subscribed to your channel the first video I watched was the Yue table lamp and now the pen turning 1 a 2 great videos thanks for sharing 🪚🔨
Awesome, thank you!
There is a product that turns your lathe into a pen press it is made by SAWDUST BROS. I got mine at WOODCRAFT,
you might be able to find one at your wood working supply store..
i got mine at
Hi and thanks for your comment. I will check that out. In the meantime, I made a couple of wooden arbors for my lathe. You can see them in my 'Making a Sierra Pencil' video. Happy New Year :)