Turning a Pen with a Carbide Turning Tool (How-to Beginners Guide)

[@maureenf629]

Fabulous presentation, probably the best I’ve seen on UTube. Thank you.

[@pegwinn]

I do not like videos where there is a lot of hardsell and chitchat at the beginning. I really like how you got straight to the point and included your business interests into the video without it sounding like a commercial. That alone is enough to get me to subscribe. Well Done Sir. Thanks.

[@md.moinulislam9467]

MASHAALLAH khub valo video.......

[@philipguarino524]

Ecellent totorial, thak you.

[@amkii2]

Day 1 beginner here on lathes and pen making... this video is INCREDIBLY helpful. Thank you so much!!

[@johnnyburns5554]

So it's been a year now. How goes wood turning?

[@amkii2]

@@johnnyburns5554 I haven't had a chance to turn much other than pens, but I've made several wood, acrylic, and inlace acrylester pieces that I'm proud of, including several pens I've given as Christmas gifts (which seemed to be well received)! I want to explore bowl turning, but I'm not sure how to go about it using carbon tip tools, which are what I've been using for pens. Thanks for checking up!! I was actually just thinking about it this morning, wondering, 'how long have I been turning pens?' I was figuring it was about a year, and I guess I was right, haha!

[@aprildegele1510]

Abranet is good for everything wood. I've had the same set of 2x6 for YEARS and it's not worn out yet. You can wash them. To clean them of dust, just whack them on the bench. No need to match holes for a random orbital. My favorite sand paper ever. It's original use was for drywall. No clog, bendable, foldable. The best ever.

[@johnlewis5663]

Terrific video,the whole operation was clearly defined, this is one to keep.

[@Believe_the_Bible]

I only wet sand when turning an acrylic blank. And don't cross sand, because if you use the right progression of sanding grits (50% more than the previous grit) it will remove all previous sand scratches. Nice word, great videoing.

[@seansiks188]

this video really helped out my students a lot. Keep up the good work !

[@paintilludrop]

At my library, we have a Foundry inside behind glass walls, open for all to see but sound proof! Free!! Local woodmasters volunteer time. I am 67, never used a power tool. I have made two pens, almost took much wood off on one. I am so proud and want to make alot! Also made a bluebird house, flat birdfeeder. Everything in this video we used! Fancy new equipment. Pasco Fl 3/24..update. made over 40 pens and more turning, now a volunteer to teach pens for a charity for Veterans. Reviewing your videos!!

[@user-ih5rs7is2m]

Very good demonstration video thank you😊

[@fivelittlescholarsca118]

Thank you for the professional, easy to follow production of this tutorial. I am in the throws of setting up a wood turning station at one end of my workshop as my 12 & 9 year olds want to learn this craft. Your tutorial will be very easy for them to follow as well as for me to write some instruction as part of their homeschool. I'm glad I decided to purchase the carbide tools too as I think they will be easier for the kids to learn with.

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Glad you found it helpful! Agreed - carbide tools are the perfect intro tools for beginners. Best of luck with the home schooling lessons!

[@fivelittlescholarsca118]

@@CraftSuppliesUSA Thank you

[@randypace4226]

A Most excellent Video… Thank you VERY much.

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@Mr_Chuckles]

Excellent series of videos, thank you

[@McwordsSepesial]

Very very extraordinary sir

[@alexiacullo3586]

EXCELLENT VIDEO 👏👍❤️ ALWAYS learn something each time I view

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@GiseleGrenier]

Thank you for doing this...I turned my first pen using a friends tools and love it

[@Just_a_name-m9d]

Hi, if you don't mind my asking, could you please tell me how long it took for you to learn to do it? I am thinking of learning.

[@kathaleenwright7206]

Thank you for this video...

[@tjp1451]

Dove into this in the past couple of days and your videos were extremely helpful, thanks so much! One thing I learned is that the ‘newbie’ slim line kits are much more difficult than the more beefy, fancier kits because you have to turn the wood so thin, it’s easy to get chips and cracks in your blank. This happened with the first two slim line kits I got as practice kits. I then did 3 more complex kits with meatier profiles and they were much easier to turn and came out great! Also, whatever kind of generic latex glove I wore during my CA finish seemed to have a weird exothermic chemical reaction, melted and slightly burned my finger when I was finishing the first kit. I went to painters tape after that.

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

When CA glue dries the reaction is exothermic, so gloves melting is not uncommon! Switching to a thicker material is a good idea - rubber (and latex) gloves are just so thin that they don't always hold up.

No reason to turn the wood / acrylic as thin as the pen kit. Many folks like a little more "meat" to hold onto, so the pen can have some fabulous shapes that keep them a little "fatter" if preferred. However, a very nice skinny pen is beautiful on these kits. Look like the Cross brand pens, manufactured for professionals and office personnel...

[@C_R112]

Wonderful pen

[@vishumore]

It's very useful for beginners like me , specially the units for RPM

[@seansiks188]

I honestly agree with this comment !

[@jacksawyer3626]

Thank you, this is an excellent video. Long time turner here but never tried pens so this really helps a lot!

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Glad it helps - good luck with your turning!

[@leonardonolasco4591]

awesome...i will make this one a hobby.

[@rl8631]

When you mark the outside of the blank either side of the centreline, after you drill and inset the tubes, its best to also use a marker pen inside the tube so that when you turn the blank down, you don't have to remember which end is which. And if you do it in the same place as your external line, it will allow you to line up the grain exactly so when the pen is closed the grain pattern flows like it should.

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Thank you

[@Dudesunperfect]

Thankyou, I'm new to turning pens and have been using a roughing chisel, I'm going to invest in one of these Thankyou,

[@darrellcollard6828]

Loved the video, however, you are using a very expensive Powermatic lathe. My ancient Carba Tec from PSI would not do as good a job!! You just convinced me to upgrade!!! Also, I've made a lot of pens, but never seen anyone do a super glue finish. Very impressive! Thank you for sharing.

[@johnroth8275]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching the video

[@kyvguinto]

Woa, his voice sounds so much different than the other videos for some reason. Great tips! Cool to see both methods.

[@ramaroodle]

Keep in mind that spraying the end of the blank only cures the glue at the ends. I always allow at least an hour for the glue in the center to cure. I have had blanks explode and found wet CA in the middle.

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Thank you for the tip

[@bazlur-Vancouver]

I do the same. Do not use accelerator because smells bad, although I have it and I work in the kitchen. If I had a workshop or garage, then maybe use. I like the carbide one than the traditional one. self-learner and perfected nicely

[@jilliannitz1884]

I agree completely. I use accelerator when doing the finish but accelerator won't do anything for gluing the tube to the blank, I often leave mine overnight, but at least a couple hours. There is nothing worse then turning a blank and having it break because it's not glued well to the tube.

[@gabrielrigdon3389]

You might be using too much CA if it's not cured in the center after a few minutes.

[@bazlur-Vancouver]

I do the same way -drilling, but aggressively turn with the carbide tool bought in Craft USA and finish with skew. after skewing don't need much sanding.

[@donaldtrabeaux1305]

Thanks for the tips and techniques I just finished turning my first two pens with traditional tools and I almost ruined my second pen so I’m 100% going to to get the carbide tool 👍👍👍👍👍

[@erwinwizzy]

Hi there, first of all my compliments for your video! The best one I've seen about pen turning. Straight to the point, very practical and detailed. I have a question if you don't mind answering. Is there a valid alternative to using CA glue for finishing? Some people are allergic or sensitive to CA. For example, when I make wooden rings I use thin layer epoxy resin applied with a small brush. But then it takes 24h to dry before you can handle the object and what's more you need to have the object moving all the time to keep the resin stay even on the surface. I was thinking of UV activated epoxy. Any other valuable ideas?

[@jasonhayes1455]

Excellent tutorial, I’ve been interested in giving this a go, now I’ve seen this video I will. Easy to understand video good job, Subscribed.

[@nodriveknowitall702]

I've spent, maybe, 200 hours on an engine lathe making parts for "emergency" situations and probably another 300 hours playing. I'm no expert, but I noticed at 6:13 that you left your chuck wrench in the chuck. This might work fine for you, and perhaps you've never had an incident but I want to stress that this is not a habit to get into. Your chuck tool should basically never leave your hand, unless you're using it or it's hanging in a spot you've designated for it (that isn't the chuck). If you forget it in your chuck, as you become complacent around this spinning machine of potential death, it could damage you, your lathe, the chuck tool, or all three.

[@dooley9621]

Pretty sure he wouldn't have turned it on with it in and it was only there for quick removal for the video

[@nodriveknowitall702]

@@dooley9621 I'm only relaying best practices here. Sure, he'd never intend to leave it in the chuck and turn it on, but I've witnessed this happen twice where I work by two separate people. It's just a good idea to train safe habits into oneself.

@@nodriveknowitall702 I am also a journeyman machinist and have witnessed the same exact thing, by JOURNEYMEN, who never intended to leave it in the chuck. Bad juju!!!! One guy turned it on and the wrench caught his belt as it passed downward. Not only did it rip his LEATHER belt into it opened his bowels and made his pants stink. Bruised his stomach also....could have been worse though. Have seen them go FLYING about 50 feet.

[@zeni3382]

Do you suggest negative rake for acrylic carbide turning

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for sharing that

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@chloejenkins6829]

Hello, I am wondering if it would be good or poor form to turn a pen with a carbide turning tool with a 55 degree tip on a metal lathe? That way you could go back and forth on the wood? I want to make kitless pens, and a metal lathe is a lot more precise than a wood lathe with hand turning tools.

[@acbolen5]

What kind of chuck do I need for my lathe to hold all the tools? I’m guessing the head stock is just the lathe without a a chuck. And does the pen mandrel fit in a standard head stock on a lathe?

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Lathes have a "Morse Taper" in the headstock and tailstock to hold accessories like pen mandrels and revolving centers. They also have spindle threads for things like a 4-jaw chuck and Faceplate. All you need is to determine what Morse Taper size you have and pick the corresponding pen mandrel. If you need more help, give us a call at 1-800-551-8876 and we can help determine exactly the size you need.

[@윤치정-g5n]

Hello^^ Thank you for the great material. But the wood lathe machine is too expensive, so I'm wondering if there is a more affordable wood lathe machine that an ordinary person can buy.

[@uttamdutta1762]

Hi Mike, I am impressed with your video and wanted to start, as a hobby, some wood turning and make pens for my friends and family. I need some help with list of items, that I need to have to begin with. While this video of yours, helped me to list items that need to be there, but I m still wondering what seleciton should I make to buy my first lethe machine. I don't to spend too much. I do see a Lethe which is less than $200.00. Will that be ok, to being with. Your Help is really appreciated. Thanks

[@FuzzyScaredyCat]

Any reason to cut the blank in half before drilling? Wouldn't it be easier to drill the full length, then cut it in half?

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Yes, but most of the time the drill bit isn't long enough to do the entire blank at once. Extra long bits are expensive, so most guys cut, then drill. Also reduces and drifting of the bit.

[@jilliannitz1884]

Definitely better to cut the blank first. If you are using a drill press the first and foremost reason will be price. It costs a fortune to get a drill press that will drill 5 inches, many only drill 2-3. Also the longer the hole the more noise and heat and going off center you get, none of which are good. You can of course drill on the lathe which won't have the length problem but it still has the off center and noise and heat issues. A drill press is a lot faster but otherwise lathe is fine.

[@mattd313]

How long would you say it takes from start to finish to make one pen? Not rushing, but not moving too slowly, just a nice even pace...?

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

That's a tough question to answer because there are so many factors (one tube or two? wood or acrylic? experience level?, etc). An experienced pen turner can finish a simple wood pen in roughly 30 minutes start to finish, but if turning acrylic or adding embellishments that time can easily double.

[@stephenashmead9597]

Great video and I picked up some tips. I have a technical question though. I noticed that the carbide insert was the standard one rather than the negative rake version. Is there a reason for this?

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

We used the standard cutter because most turners are familiar with it. The negative rake will work great though.

[@thomasbaughman2992]

How thick is the ca finish? Do you have to make any allowance in the turning/sanding to accommodate for it?

[@CraigLafferty]

Are those pads "one-time" use since they have CA glue on them?

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

No, they can be used hundreds of times. Wet sanding with the pads helps clean debris off of the pads and keeps them cool.

[@bigfoot8778]

Are these the best tools for new turners?

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

We believe so, yes. They are great because they are so simple to use and don't require a grinder. Good luck!

[@bigfoot8778]

@@CraftSuppliesUSA thanks

[@ThePowerfulMach5]

what model powermatic lathe are you using? and do you like it? Do I need a small lathe for pens and small items and a larger lathe for bigger items like bowls and spindles?

[@dwightl5863]

A large lathe will do small items like pens. Turning capacity of the lathe determines the project size.

[@glen3257]

what barrel trimmer jig is that? I need one

[@NIYA424]

Does the Artisan Ring Turning Check 1"-8 TPI fit the Harber Freight 10 In. X 18 In. 5 Speed 1/2 HP Benchtop Wood Lathe? I just wanted to know before I buy this item. Thanks.

[@boazjoe1]

Mike, great video. I enjoyed all of your videos; however, is there anyway to get the music changed or removed?

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Sorry. The music is there for good :(

[@rajendraramoutar9999]

Love thid video.

[@yankrasnopolsky]

hi Mike, I have 2 brass tubes . I need to curve wood in a special way. Can you do it for me?

[@ronmcintyre9290]

How long will the sand paper last?

[@dooley9621]

Do you need to use ca glue on resin blanks?

[@jaycelliott2]

I have done plenty of the wood blanks just fine. I have started on my second acrylic blanks set. On both of them, after I have them rounded and ready to do some detail work on them, they end up blowing out at the ends and then they just fall apart. They seem to do fine until then. After this happens, I noticed there are pits in the acrylic all around that didn't seem to be there when larger. Is this indicative of the tools not sharpened correctly? I am using non-carbide types. I don't want to do any more of these until i figure out what I am doing wrong, any ideas?

[@Oakleaf216]

Are you casting the acrylic yourself? If so it sounds like you need to use a pressure pot when curing to reduce the size of the bubbles in the acrylic and stabilize it.

[@jaycelliott2]

@@Oakleaf216 hello. No these are bought from places like Penn State and similar other companies.

[@rohn2041]

I'm completely inexperienced so this might be obvious after a few more plays with a lathe, but since you drill the blank on the lathe why don't you use the barrel trimmer on the lathe also? is it not possible to perfectly replicate the position of the blank in the pen jaws?

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

That's a great question. You said it - getting the blank back in the jaws in the exact position so it is perfectly square is a bit tricky. Barrel trimmers come with a precisely fit pilot shaft that fits inside the brass tube, that is what keeps the trimmer head perpendicular to the tube. To answer your question - it is faster and easier to trim off the lathe.

[@jilliannitz1884]

You can if you want, I have trimmed on the lathe plenty of times, it's just slower. You can also make a kind of sanding jig on the lathe instead of a barrel trimmer, I haven't done this but it's tempting because barrel trimmers suck to sharpen. I usually just use a power drill. If you are really new and haven't bought a barrel trimmer yet, either buy the one that lets you change out the shafts or you can skip having one all together and make (or buy) a squaring thing to use on a disk sander instead.

[@danschmidt6357]

Great video Mike! Very informative. Are you related to the legendary wood turner Dale Nish?

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Thanks - Yes, he was my grandpa!

[@danschmidt6357]

Cool! He would be very proud of you!

[@EpoxyWood]

Awesome video Mike. One question please - hope you can help. What lathe speed would you recommend for turning 6cm x 6cm square blanks? (oak with some epoxy resin inlays) Thanks and greetings from the UK :)👋

[@gailenjensen]

Hi Mike. I noticed that while you're drilling the blank, the drill bit had a run-out type of wobble. Any ideas why? But more importantly, how to eliminate it if possible.

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

We used a drill bit that was too long in the video. If you use a shorter one, you won't have that problem.

[@gailenjensen]

@@CraftSuppliesUSA Interesting. I'll see if I can find one. I'm using the one I bought from you in the starter kit a year or so ago.

[@markbowslaugh463]

Sdo you ship to canadaqqa

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Yes, we ship to Canada. 😊

[@yvonnex123]

All your videos are awesome (informative and interesting) - thank you for that. Can you tell me where, or if I can aqurire a pen kit which includes everytihg except for the blanks? I would want to choose the blanks but I don't want to make serveral purchases when I can get everything I need from one purchase.

[@starhawke380]

This assumes I have a LOT of equipment I do not have yet...

[@NelsonJ1]

Then get it

[@brianserrano9737]

What blank is that

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

Red dyed Box Elder Burl www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/7/5043/pen-makers-choice-Stabilized-Dyed-Box-Elder-Burl-Pen-Blanks

[@juliancorona7723]

dommage je ne comprend pas l'anglais

[@scottmcfarlane7524]

use a belt sander to do flatten the blank to the brass and don't waste your money lol

[@ramaroodle]

Agreed, especially on segmented and specialty blanks.I stopped using my barrel trimmer a while ago. Never had a blank blow up using the disc sander.

[@Dosbomber]

I used one of those barrel trimmer bits once.. switched immediately to an oscillating belt sander with a jig mounted to the miter gauge and never went back.

[@jilliannitz1884]

The only issue with this is you need to have something rigged up so the pen blank will hit at the exact right angle. Otherwise you will have gaps when you assemble your pens that look awful.

[@BusterHWJones]

NEVER Leave a chuck key in the chuck!!! Like it is in the lathe behind you.

[@TheOldKid]

CA finish is brittle. Makes pretty finish but don't see it being durable

[@rl8631]

great guide though, sorry left that bit off.

[@CraftSuppliesUSA]

You're welcome and thanks again for the tip

[@joemissanelli3395]

Your blanks were already round when you started turning………

[@CountDoucheula]

And how does this make any difference whatsoever?

[@GerryFPVPilot58]

Very helpful thank you!