subject: Essential Tools And Pen Turning Supplies To Turn Pens [print this page] Pen turning is an art in itself and a nice hobby to take up. It is a part of woodturning, which is ultimately one kind of woodworking where a piece of wood is created into a pen. In order to bring life to you pen turning art, an ideal pen turning supplies are essential. Of all the woodturning jobs, turned pen is one of the easiest and most exquisite things you can ever fabricate by yourself. Furthermore, you can use this pen turning hobby to earn some extra money by selling the turned pens or you can even gift the turned pens to someone. It can be a touching gift as you have handmade the pen along with your personal touch. Apart from the easiest hobby, pen turning is also the most inexpensive hobby of all woodturning. In this article I will tell you what tools and pen turning supplies youll need to turn pens.
Tools
Lathe - lathe machine is the primary tool that you will need to turn pen or any other wooden objects. However, if you are already into woodturning or woodworking trade, you will do not require in invest into lathe. If you are turning up to this pen turning hobby for the first time, then I would recommend a small size lathe machine. Usually a small lathe machine can be available in Australia for somewhere between AU $190 to AU $250.
Mandrel - mandrel is usually a metal bar or rod that is affixed on the centre of the lathe and grips the pen blanks during the pen turning process. These mandrels are usually included whenever you purchase a new lathe machine. But in case you already own a lathe and need to buy new mandrel, then it can be purchased from any pen turning suppliers locally or online at a cost of AU $30 to AU $35.
Bushings - bushing are generally made up of metal and are used to hold pen blanks firmly onto the mandrel. Bushing also act as a measuring device to trim down the pen blanks to an ideal size that are adequate for you pen kit.
Drill Press, Drill Bits & Vise - drill press and drill bits are essential to drill a hole into the acrylic pen blanks. A vice can hold the blank firmly and steadily while drilling it. Drill press can be bought at around $100 - $110 Australian dollars and drill bits and vice can be purchased at somewhere around AU $10 and AU $70 respectively.
Pen Turning Supplies
Pen kits - pen kits usually contains all the brass metal parts that are found in a pen such as spring, trigger, inner casing, etc. They serve the purpose of vital ingredients for your turned pens. They are available in various coatings and can easily be obtained from pen turning suppliers with a price range of AU $2.50 to AU $10.00.
Wooden or Acrylic Pen Blanks - based on your project, you can buy wooden or acrylic pen blanks from which pen will be turned. They are available in various types of wood and if they are acrylic you can get all sorts of designers blanks from a pen turning suppliers.
Apart from above mentioned tools and supplies, you will also need miscellaneous items such as glue, sandpapers, polishing and shining kits, etc. to give your pen a finishing touch.
