I've never owned a lathe or turned a pen, after watching your video - I want to do both! I love woodworking videos (gun videos too) and with the added extra benefit of being able to complete the project in hours rather than days really excites me and my short attention span.
I use a Zebra Z grip click pen parts as my pen kit to make turned pens. Total cost to make a turned pen is less than $3. Have you tried this method as no inner sleeves are used?
Great way to give pen turning a try with hardly any investment! Bic may have increased the diameter of their refills in the 8+ years since this was posted, because the ones that I bought didn't fit the 1/8" hole. I just ordered a 4mm (5/32) x 160mm drill bit, and will try again. Thanks!
Thanks, I started making these out scrap wood in stead of tossing the wood. I will make about ten to twenty at a time. They are so fun to give away. If someone notices I have a wooden pen I'll give it to them. Totally makes there day. I get bic pens at the back to school specials ten pens for less then a dollar.
I saw this post in the comments and yes if you drill a small hole the ink will flow better. Im a glass blower and i have to pop a small out when I make this style pen. " I think this is really cool so I made a half dozen. They worked great for a while but then the ink started skipping and they weren't writing very well. Should there be a vent hole near the top to help the ink flow? "
This makes me want a lathe... I've done some ceramic wheel work but never got to use a lathe and it makes me sad. I feel like I could do some cool stuff. :)
Hey Capt. I want to try and re-turn some round pencils, and stain/finish them. Did you ever try that? Could be fun, I'll post a video with the results. Thanks for your great efforts in bringing this "SPORT" to light for so many. Yes, playing with a lathe can sometimes be a contact sport...! ... :-)
new to pen turning (usually make knives) when I use ca glue on an cigar label the glue cracks like the glazing from a 100 to 150 year old plate. what I'm I doing wrong.thank don
CAPT-- Got a question for you. I used your instructions and everything went great with the first pen. Second pen I had a scrap of purple heart. The darn think glued itself to the mandrel and had one heck of a time getting it off. Any idea what may have caused this?
+Eaglesnest Woodandpottery Probably got some glue or even finish on the mandrel as a result yep, it makes it very fun to get the pen off the mandrel LOL.
Oh that's just way cool. I JUST got a lathe, this looks like a good practice project. Ha… 12 cent pen, several hundreds of dollars in tools though. But who's counting.
Thank You So Much! I have a friend who collects pens. I wanted to take one of my favorite pens...the Staples Opti-flow (I love it, though I wish it were permanent) and sculpt a cover for it. I'd love if you'd make a video about it....and preferably without using the lathe...I don't have one.
+WAT I Paper or tissue if caught by the lathe it will just tear from your hands. Cloth or rags caught by the lathe will wrap around your piece,, potentially yanking your fingers/hand around the spinning piece. Not a good outcome. When I was a beginner I used a small piece of rag that went zip and quickly wound itself around a pen before I realized it. Fortunately I wasn't holding it tightly so got yanked from my fingers.. Last time I used rags. Steel pads have the same potential. Or steel fragments flying around or damaging equipment.
@rogerrotor Sanding wax is a formula of bees wax and mineral oil I use for sanding. No dust and it seals the wood nicely. I'll send you the info if you e-mail me at eddiecastelin@cox.net
12 cents... but the electricity used to run the machines is more than that so you really are paying more... worth it though because these pens are sick
12 grand, you got off lite. I used to bass fish for a living and found out that 10 grand for a five pounder was a real bargain. Then I got poor and started woodturning.
I do not understand the reasoning behind your comment....It would be like saying that your 2 over easy eggs are not 35 cents, but $200 grand eggs, because you need the pans to cook them in, the stove to cook them and the house in which you have the stove... .Going to use this idea for gel refills an others. I also want to make a wood base as a pen holder to place on the desk........Thanks Capt. A fan From West Jefferson NC. :-)
I've never owned a lathe or turned a pen, after watching your video - I want to do both! I love woodworking videos (gun videos too) and with the added extra benefit of being able to complete the project in hours rather than days really excites me and my short attention span.
a great video. i want to take up abit of pen and bowl turning in my spare time and this seems like the perfect way to start.
I use a Zebra Z grip click pen parts as my pen kit to make turned pens. Total cost to make a turned pen is less than $3. Have you tried this method as no inner sleeves are used?
Thanks for being so clever and generous enough to share! What do you mean when you refer to "sanding wax"? Is it just a sanding sealer?
Great way to give pen turning a try with hardly any investment! Bic may have increased the diameter of their refills in the 8+ years since this was posted, because the ones that I bought didn't fit the 1/8" hole. I just ordered a 4mm (5/32) x 160mm drill bit, and will try again. Thanks!
Thanks, I started making these out scrap wood in stead of tossing the wood. I will make about ten to twenty at a time. They are so fun to give away. If someone notices I have a wooden pen I'll give it to them. Totally makes there day. I get bic pens at the back to school specials ten pens for less then a dollar.
I saw this post in the comments and yes if you drill a small hole the ink will flow better. Im a glass blower and i have to pop a small out when I make this style pen.
" I think this is really cool so I made a half dozen. They worked great for a while but then the ink started skipping and they weren't writing very well. Should there be a vent hole near the top to help the ink flow? "
Great little project. Thanks
I use a Zebra Z grip pen to make turned pens. Have you tried this method?
That’s pretty cool.
Thanks cap'n ... I love your vidéo's ... I'am new at turning. Keep the vidéo's comming.
was considering getting a fancy pen acrylic kit before watching this.
I think NOT now! BIC pens for the win! :)
WOW I am amazed at your talent. Do you sell any of these fine specimens???
Take care
Katt ^..^
Hi Cap, love the video, will have to try this out.
This makes me want a lathe... I've done some ceramic wheel work but never got to use a lathe and it makes me sad. I feel like I could do some cool stuff. :)
Hey Capt. I want to try and re-turn some round pencils, and stain/finish them. Did you ever try that?
Could be fun, I'll post a video with the results. Thanks for your great efforts in bringing this "SPORT" to light for so many. Yes, playing with a lathe can sometimes be a contact sport...! ... :-)
new to pen turning (usually make knives) when I use ca glue on an cigar label the glue cracks like the glazing from a 100 to 150 year old plate. what I'm I doing wrong.thank don
CAPT-- Got a question for you. I used your instructions and everything went great with the first pen. Second pen I had a scrap of purple heart. The darn think glued itself to the mandrel and had one heck of a time getting it off. Any idea what may have caused this?
no idea at all
+Cap'n Eddie Castelin
purpleheart endgrain is very hard to drill.
+Eaglesnest Woodandpottery Probably got some glue or even finish on the mandrel as a result yep, it makes it very fun to get the pen off the mandrel LOL.
I've got a really heavy, silver Bic... but your is mutch more precious!
that pretty cool capt im going to have to try that one
Hey capneddie,what rpm do you use for pens?
Awesome, you just solved my Xmas gift-giving woes!!!
awesome video! thanks for this great tip
muy bonitos te quedan los lapiz me van a servir de mucho gracias amigosaludos desde puerto montt chile
I call it 12 cent pen because the bic cost 12 cents each. that's the cost of the pen, the refill.
very nice work I'd say!
Excellent..!
Oh that's just way cool. I JUST got a lathe, this looks like a good practice project. Ha… 12 cent pen, several hundreds of dollars in tools though. But who's counting.
Try a machine shop supplier. I have also found them at Grainger and MSC Direct tool catalog. The 6" length is not uncommon in the machine industry.
Thanks great idea
Thank You So Much! I have a friend who collects pens. I wanted to take one of my favorite pens...the Staples Opti-flow (I love it, though I wish it were permanent) and sculpt a cover for it. I'd love if you'd make a video about it....and preferably without using the lathe...I don't have one.
Don't u have to put a pin hole in the side somewhere? Hmmmmmm
I'm curious. What's the reason for not using rags or steel wool?
Thanks!
+WAT I Paper or tissue if caught by the lathe it will just tear from your hands. Cloth or rags caught by the lathe will wrap around your piece,, potentially yanking your fingers/hand around the spinning piece. Not a good outcome. When I was a beginner I used a small piece of rag that went zip and quickly wound itself around a pen before I realized it. Fortunately I wasn't holding it tightly so got yanked from my fingers.. Last time I used rags.
Steel pads have the same potential. Or steel fragments flying around or damaging equipment.
CelestialLites )
awesome
@rogerrotor Sanding wax is a formula of bees wax and mineral oil I use for sanding. No dust and it seals the wood nicely. I'll send you the info if you e-mail me at eddiecastelin@cox.net
Ooooio
nice
kind of dangerous with that drill bit
@dojo5794 I'm in Old Jefferson, near the Huey P. Long Bridge. Give me a call at 504-251-6987, it's a fairly small shop, but company is always welcome.
12 cents... but the electricity used to run the machines is more than that so you really are paying more... worth it though because these pens are sick
12 grand, you got off lite. I used to bass fish for a living and found out that 10 grand for a five pounder was a real bargain. Then I got poor and started woodturning.
I do not understand the reasoning behind your comment....It would be like saying that your 2 over easy eggs are not 35 cents, but $200 grand eggs, because you need the pans to cook them in, the stove to cook them and the house in which you have the stove... .Going to use this idea for gel refills an others. I also want to make a wood base as a pen holder to place on the desk........Thanks Capt.
A fan From West Jefferson NC. :-)
Cap...hope you are doing well..........
I dont know... i would have to buy a lot of machines =D
Hey Cap. I'll give you 3.00 dollars US for one of those bushings
Never seen a drill press used that way, can't imagine why? Too dangerous, can't show younger woodcrafters any of this.
Yep, stupid people ruin everything.
ill just pay 1 dollar for a pen, you just have to much time on your hands