Turning Pens

Feb 16, 2004 5 Replies

I have just completed a wonderful three days on a course offered by Craft Supplies (UK). In it we learnt to turn pens, unfortunately I only got to turn one which came out excellent. I then went and bought the deluxe pen mandrel and the deluxe ball point pen set. I attempted to turn my first, on my own, pen today and after the usual disintegration caused by, I assume, only gluing on one side of the brass tube and getting a catch on the other, I managed to turn out one misshapen pen. My problem which I hope somebody could answer is, how do I stop the brass tube in the centre from burring and sticking onto the bar between the mandrels. Am I using to much pressure on the tail stock thereby squeezing the tube to tight (seems the only way I can get the wood to turn) or is there some other 'trick'. I do not know how to access the google search for items so I unfortunately have to ask this common question again, sorry.



Bob `S`


Hi Robert,

I don't have any experience making pens. But maybe I can help you access the archives. Go here then click on advanced group search at the top of the page. If this thing wraps around to two lines, you may have to copy and paste.

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You will need to put your subject on the top line and enter the news group that you wish to search on the fifth line. That should keep you reading for a while.

Or you could just go here and read the whole process.

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Robinson East Texas

"only gluing on one side of the brass tube and getting a catch on the other," Which 'sides' are you referring to? Or do you mean 'ends'? The tube really has only 'inside'& 'outside'.

It sounds like you didn't get enough glue between the wood and the tube. The entire glued wood/brass tube assembly 'should' turn with moderate pressure. Did they show you clearly how to coat the tube with glue and insert it?

robert strudwick wrote: (clip) Am I using to much pressure on the tail stock thereby squeezing the tube to tight (seems the only way I can get the wood to turn) (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^ I am puzzled by this statement. When I put the bushings and glued up wood/tube assemblies on my mandrel, I tighten a nut, which locks everything together, so the wood can be turned without slipping. The tailstock pressure is not what produces the driving friction. If the tailstock pressure is too high, it puts the mandrel into compression, causing it to bow. This will make the wood run off center , and the pens will not line up properly when assembled.

I don't know whether this addresses your problem. Does your mandrel work like all the others I've seen? I think possibly you need to review your pen kit instructions.

In message , Bill Day writes

I agree with you re. The not getting enough glue between the wood and the tube, I have re-tried it and it now works OK. The instruction I received was a little rushed I must admit, it was a fairly intensive three days, never mind, the help I have received from the replies from this group has sorted it all out now, thanks to everybody, much appreciated.

(Sprog was right, there is the deluxe version that relies on tail stock pressure not nuts which have to be done and undone every time. I am only using this system because that was the one I was shown, as I get more experienced (will I live that long), I may change.)

Bob `S`

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