Pen Turning

First thing you need is a mandrel. These come in models for screwing on, morse tapers, or for mounting in a jacobs chuck. I have the one that mounts in a chuck and it cost me $15 the other types cost a little more. Then you need bushings to match the pen kit you are using. I guess you could do a pen without the bushings, but they are cheap and make life easier. Bushing sets go for about $4.

If you have a store locally that sells this stuff, it would be best to start there. That way everything is going to work together. I have mixed stuff from Penn State and Woodcraft without any problems but I understand that some folks have had problems mixing.

A search for pen making supplies will produce a number of suppliers web sites.

Gene

--------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Dave:

You might look at this site:

There is a lot of information about all of the questions you ask.The turning tools vary depending on what you like. Many use spindlegouges, some use skews. I use a bowl gouge for all of the work onpens. Good luck Larry Hand Turned Pens at

Your site shows some very nice work! May I ask why you prefer a bowl gouge? I use the skew but maybe I am missing something useful. Thanks, Billh

Probably uses the ground-back wings. Pretty much the same as a skew, but tougher to get a catch as it sweeps out of the way above and below the cut.

==================================================================== Hi: George is right. I use a swept back grind on a bowl gouge. The tip is used to rough out the blank. I then use the sides in about a 60-80 degree angle to the wood and this acts similar to a skew. Another advantage is that the heavier construction of a bowl gouge eliminates vibration and I get smoother cuts.

Larry