pen turning costs

Bill go to Yahoo.com and then the Groups section. Join the Penturners group and open the FAQ in the files section. You will find all you want to know.

looking at the FAQ (one of the most complete I know of) and you havea subject you would like more info on then search the archive. Bob Darrah West Linn, Oregon

I just got started so I can give you some idea. You can get a starter kit for about $60. This will include a mandrel, a drill bit, a reamer, 5 blanks, CA glue, Hut finish and 5 pen kits. I am a fairly experienced turner and I was able to turn out good pens right away. If you mess up and cut one too thin, just glue another piece of wood on the tube and give it another try. I sell the pens for $35 and I have had a pretty brisk business without even going to a show yet (I have bought more supplies). I assembled the pens with a drill press and it was fairly straight forward.

After you get hooked, you will probably want a vise for holding the blanks, a pen press and an fid for gluing (all for under $100). I also bought a parabolic drill bit (a dream to use) and many more kits. I also branched out into another size witch entails a different set of bushings, a different reamer size and a different drill bit.

I use my standard 5/8 gouge (very sharp) and a standard skew. I did have to make a small parting tool to cut a grove for one type of pen's center ring (Father Sing pen) but generally no special tools.

I love it after turning big objects for several years because you can use the scrap that you normally throw away to turn out beautiful objects. People really gravitate to them and they like them very much for gifts. I try to use the local wood here (kamani, ironwood, etc.) to add some value. I just turned a set over the weekend made from a stick I broke off a tree in my yard. It has been great fun.

Thanks to you and to Bob for a very complete answer. I especially appreciated knowing the approx. target pricing. I'm trying to drum up a little cash so I can buy fancier toys. :-)

Bill