Mandrel (Pen) Turning - Turning Basics #03 - Tools & Basics - Part One

NOTE: Table of Content Quick Links Below
Mandrel/Pen Turning is a fantastic way to get into the woodturning realm and it's one of the few area in this woodworking realm where a newbie can progress quality wise quickly to compete with pros. Being able to market some of the first items you make is an easy way to subsidize this new hobby.
This section I knew would be a monster. But after editing it all together I recognized it was too long. So I broke it up into three videos. This first one covers many ways to accomplish specific tasks unique to mandrel (pen) turning.
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Archived Live Q&A for Lesson #03: COMING SOON (Will be recorded July 27th about 7pm CT)
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Coming Next: Spindle Turning
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Table of Content:
- Intro & Review: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Mandrel Turning Tools: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Product Placement in Video: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- The Mandrel: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Morris Taper: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Loading the Mandrel/Bushings: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Installing the Mandrel: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Live Center on Tail Stock: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Alternative Mandrels: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Drilling Hole: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Pen Press: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Blanks: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Pen Mills: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Gouges: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- Wood: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- All you really need: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
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Referenced Content:
- First Class: The Lathe - • The Lathe - Turning B...
- Second Class: Lathe Accessories - • Lathe Accessories & Fi...
- Prerequisite Course: • Prerequisite Course
- 4 Cuts: • Four Cuts - A Wood Tur...
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This channel is based on the value for value proposition. We depend upon patrons like you to subsidize our efforts. The time away from the 'real work' that pays bills and opportunity loss of time with family are our biggest expenses.
So if you feel these videos and series are of value to you and others please consider shopping and patronizing these sites:
- wortheffort.com
- / wortheffort
- squareup.com/m... (also for Donations)
- paypal.me/wort... for PayPal donations
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Tools & Material Used in this video:
* Associate Links (marked with an *): These are links to items from companies which have "associate programs" which means I'll earn a percentage or two on each sale. I'm not paid to "place" a link here. These are items I own and use which can be verified via 10 years of online content creation.
- NonAssociate Links (marked with a - ): no money/product exchange for referral
* Pen Blank Clamp: amzn.to/3wVtliC
* Pen Joiner/Press: amzn.to/3kDMW4o
- Woodpecker Pen Mandrel: www.woodpeck.c...
- Turning Kits & Blanks: www.bereahardw...
- Turning Blanks and Tools: www.woodpeck.com/
* Robert Sorby 3/4" Spindle Roughing Gouge: amzn.to/3iBCCqO
* Jacobs Chuck wt MT2 taper: amzn.to/3ziBaAz
* Cone Live Tailstock: amzn.to/36QAvKr
* Woodpecker Pen Mill Set: amzn.to/3kKWyKC
* Whiteside Pen Mill Set: amzn.to/3eGhOxt
- Berea Pen Mill Reamer Set: www.bereahardw...
* Rikon 10" Bandsaw: amzn.to/3d91u8m
- Ruth Niles Bottle Stoppers and Off Center Jig: nilesbottlesto...
* Robust Tool Rest for 5/8" post: amzn.to/3trYB8y
* Links to MIDI, MINI lathes and chucks from ONEWAY: www.amazon.com...
Associates Link of other items such as Tool, Book, etc.... I already own/use in woodworking craft that are available on Amazon - www.amazon.com...

[@joshwalker5605]

no idea why people dont like longer content. Like when has anyone ever said “I love this stuff, I just wish there was less of it?”

[@wortheffort]

All the time.

[@MichaelBrown-kk6ck]

Focus helps a lot. I don't mind longer videos as long as they don't wander in a lot of random directions that don't add to the utility of the content. You get the gold star with this series.

[@Galfrid]

Totally agree: The BANDSAW is the heart of the workshop and the most versatile of the "saws". 👍

[@pepper7144]

I am really pleased to see this series restart. Got my lathe, sharpening system, & reasonably priced gouges ready to rock and roll. I have a table for the lathe, a little too tall by about 2 inches, until I can get my trestle stand built.

[@ljgault]

I really enjoyed this lesson, I'm actually wanting to get a lathe and learn wood turning. Thank you for what you do, I never miss watching your video's.

[@mileshh515]

So glad that this series wasn't forgotten. Thank you Shawn!

[@reloadNshoot]

Just got a lathe for fathers day and am learning what I can watching your videos. What good timing for this! My daughter wanted me to try making a ring yesterday. I did but I had to make a mandrel, bushings and the ring insert, it's a good thing I am a retired machinist and aspiring turner. Today I wake up and ask her what she wanted to do on her day off and she said lets go to Woodcrafters in San Antonio. Long story short we just returned home after the 2 hour drive and I picked up a few things including a simple pen mandrel just like the one you showed. Going to have to watch the entire video later and learn how to use it.

[@DarksouIjah]

Saved for when I buy my first lathe coming up.

[@thewoodsmanshop]

Thanks for doing this video. Most others do not go into near the detail. Very helpful! Thank you, thank you, thank you

[@tomzahlman1156]

As a beginner carbide tools are what I started with and they did awesome. They gave me confidence to move forward to other tools.

[@woodcraftsbycody]

Ive been pen turning for just a little under a year, and I've been using carbide tools the entire time. I rarely felt like I was hitting the "sweet spot" on those tools. Went out and bought myself a set of real gouges, and let me tell you, the difference is night and day! The second you mentioned carbide tools, I knew exactly what you were going to say. Thanks for another great instructional video. I've been following you for a while and I always learn something new from you.

[@TheLaLaFarm]

This was an excellent video. You covered every step thoroughly and I appreciate that!! Well done!! - Rick

[@lightstreetcreations]

As a new turner, I've been watching a lot of your videos. Thank you for putting these out.

[@dapperdave4952]

Thank you Shawn! I hadn't had much interest in pen turning so I thought "Ah what the heck" watch it. WOW I know now what I have been missing and am looking forward to your next video in this series.

[@joseurbina1991]

Best video hands down !!!👏

[@WesleyJolly]

I completely agree with the tablesaw comment, a tablesaw may be the heart of a cabinet shop, the a bandsay is considerably more versatile for other than cabinet work

[@myunclegoo]

Great series. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@princemohammed2051]

Very nice thanks for this job 💖

[@fl4grant]

I love your videos and you are woefully under subscribed.

[@loucinci3922]

Another good one. Valuable information. Thanks for sharing.

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Very nice 👍

[@michaelogden5958]

Very nice presentation. Thank you!

[@Bowman2B]

Sorted . Thanks a lot .

[@elif.9695]

Could you maybe do a video on preparing the actual pen blanks from the log????

[@KipdoesStuff]

drill a hole, turn.

[@elif.9695]

@@KipdoesStuff no, how to cut up a log into pen blanks.

[@MrPete1x]

Another great video thank you

[@tonysmith3143]

Awesome,thanks for sharing

[@SkengManNZ]

thanks, look forward to this series, no doubt there will be some good info to hone the skills

[@plakor6133]

Thanks for the lesson!

[@richmaldo9254]

Good to know about cleaning the taper.

[@keith726able]

Great video. I think you should show a lathe-mounted pen blank drilling chuck. I use mine all the time with a Jacob's chuck in the tailstock. It's fast and dead accurate - I find it faster and easier than my drill press with clamps.

[@douglasperry1226]

Hello From Cedar Creek Texas! Just down the road a bit. Thanks for all these videos been a joy! Learned from you Shawn you do an awesome job producing all your techniques and Knowledge which is a very informative. Thank you……. Think I will stick with bowls,spindles, etc. however may just make some pens lol Sure would like to meet you and pop! 🪵💫

[@wortheffort]

We’ll be at swat this year.

[@douglasperry1226]

@@wortheffort when is that and where?

[@wortheffort]

@@douglasperry1226 Waco, google it.

[@douglasperry1226]

@@wortheffort cool thanks!

[@lukasbay9138]

Nice

[@BoringDad88]

I am a horrific wood turner. I have broken more bowls than successfully turned them, none of them look good. But I can still make a really nice pen and I love doing it. The downside is that everyone knows what they're getting this year for birthdays and Christmas this year. Just a suggestion, get a nexus kit instead of slimline, $34 for a pack of 10 with bushings included (Amazon) and they're easier.

[@wortheffort]

Looks to me they’re same kits rebranded.

[@ErikPeterson1]

Didn't think "stiction" was a word...I learned....again.

[@abbasakhtarkhavari9742]

How can we turn small 1" wood balls.?

[@MichaelBrown-kk6ck]

Do you recall the manufacturer/product for your clearish plastic storage boxes?

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Answered many questions by reassuring me I was thinking correctly about all the many little details. Any tips on what woods to turn if there is advantage to hard material that stays together or soft and cuts easily? Maybe you covered this. I know resin cuts very differently but haven’t started that. Same with any resin stabilizing but am excited to get to try it. Any chance you’ll do a tool handle turning video too? Probably have one when I look.

[@wortheffort]

Next video....

[@lisamackarous5239]

Why when I twist my pen once assembled the tip dosent come out ?

[@wortheffort]

Pushed cartridge in to far is my guess.

[@nickcraft916]

I see that you recommend a 3/4" roughing gouge. I am looking to take the jump from carbide for roughing to a more traditional route. Are there any glaring differences between getting a 1" compared to the 3/4"? This would be more for general spindle work and not specifically for pens/mandrel turning.

[@wortheffort]

Nope

[@MrRichbrll]

Cut to the chase.

[@wortheffort]

Buy a Bic.