Modifying a Slimline Pen Kit

[@glennclarke9787]

Hi Bob, Really enjoyed your vlog, Thank you so. Regards Glenn 😊

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Glen. Regards, Bob

[@billrobinson8939]

Got to look thru all the stuff that came with my used lathe to see if i have any 10mm tubes. If not, maybe i can fake it. Regardless, ive got to do this. Ive been making 2 piece slims that look like that, except the cap butts up against the bottom jnstead of sliding over it. Another great idea, Bob. I am learning so much from your videos. Congratulations on your 10 years on KZbin. I've got alot of catcning up to do. Even though pen making is new to me, ive seen references back to over 20 years ago. Your videos are really excellent and you are my official go to pen guy. I just wish i could navigate in KZbin more efficiently. I can never find saved or watch later videos. It took me an hour to get back to finish watching this one.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Bill, I’m happy you’re enjoying my videos. Regards, Bob

[@earlglover6091]

Bob I am disable but watch all of the pin turning videos. I like yours best for two reasons 1. your presentation is easy to understand and 2. you keep a clean work area. I did not know about pin turning when I was able to work. I built radio control airplanes from blue prints and kelp my work area clean. Thanks for the entertainment I get watching youtube.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you for watching Earl, It was great to hear from you. Regards, Bob

[@paintilludrop]

Wow so much work, for just a tiny surprised this newbie..been making pens in class.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

It’s great that you’re taking some classes and learning. That will give you a nice head start. Hope to see some of your pen creations once you get making. 😃 Regards, Bob

[@calebfink3542]

First time running across your channel. Audio was a tad quiet, but not once did I consider clicking off this video, bravo sir! Great video!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Caleb. Regards, Bob

[@normluscher1719]

That is a beautiful design.....I like it!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Norm. Regards, Bob

[@davidsettles5706]

Very cool. you have inspired me again. As always excellent.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you David. Regards, Bob

[@NathanGould-nw8wp]

I like it was very interesting to watch and learn. Something new thank you so much.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you for watching, I’m happy you enjoyed the video. Regards, Bob

[@dougbeach7299]

Whoda thought.... Using a wrench in wood turning... Pretty cool!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Doug. Regards, Bob

[@fredlewis1945]

Great job. As soon as I have more experience I am going to try it.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Fred. Regards, Bob

[@jackbrandt3731]

The wrench trick was a great tip , I use them to check the thickness never thought of grinding them to have them cut the desired Dia. Good one !!!! Thank you.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Jack. Regards, Bob

[@beehappywoodworkingandhone439]

very nice way of changing things up to make a standard pen more personal.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@deanthomas5466]

I agree with Anil...nice modification. Moves it from slimline to another level.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Dean. Regards, Bob

[@BenjaminVaterlaus]

I have done this without the 10mm brass tube. I just glued a piece of contrast wood to the bottom of the brass and instead of trimming direct to the brass end, I left it a little proud. I also tossed the center band out. When I turned, I made the top a little thinner/narrower than you did, but it has that same European look on a slimline because it's bigger than the slimmer lower section. I found I could also use a little longer lower section (like the European) and just press the transmission in a little farther. Great suggestions and thanks for all the great videos!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Benjamin. Modifying pens is very enjoyable. I need to do more as time permits. Regards, Bob

[@shanechristensen4689]

Just brilliant, thank you good sir for sharing

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Shane. Regards, Bob

[@levitarbell9880]

Another excellent video. My wife was listening as I was watching it and she asked if that was Dave Ramsey from The Total Money Makeover series making pens? I don’t know why I never made that connection but your voice is similar to his. Easy to follow along. Thanks again.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you, I’ll take that as a complement. Regards, Bob

[@RaymondEJames]

Beautiful Pen and thanks for the video. The Slim line was what I started with back in 2007 and modified several even after I had triple By-Pass surgery 2008 and made my last one in 2011. Had made 478 pens total. 76 years old now and wish I could still be turning. Thanks again for sharing.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Raymond, I am sorry you had to give up the hobby but I understand, your health is far more important. Regards, Bob

[@HarryCleworth]

good on you, you should ignore your age, it's just a number. I am 89 and still making pens. must run into a thousand or more . I just completed a dozen tonight

[@HarryCleworth]

I forgot to add I have a pacemaker for the past 5 years I just ignore it and get on with makin shavings

[@amandabarker7909]

Very nice modification, looks similar to a european type pen but personalizing the centre band. Wishing you a Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing more of your excellent videos in 2018. Thank you

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Amanda. Regards, Bob

[@eherrmann01]

Very cool idea. Thanks for the in-depth video.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Erik. Regards, Bob

[@glenmckelvey5952]

Great modification . Nice looking pen Bob take care.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Glen. Regards, Bob

[@eddiestipe2009]

Bob, just found this video in the history. You are so good in the instruction of how to do things. Thank you and please, please keep going.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Eddie. Regards, Bob

[@ddaurer]

Nice looking pen and you show the versatility of the slimline. Have a great Christmas with your family.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Dennis and Merry Christmas. Regards, Bob

[@raystevens687]

Hi Bob 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 anyway I enjoyed your video it had a lot of good info for sure.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Ray. Regards, Bob

[@Blueboy9055]

That brings a whole new level to the slimline pen Bob, and I like it!!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you, it was a fun couple of Mods. I’m really liking the pen and it’s been very popular with everyone I’ve showed it to. Regards, Bob

[@stankrieger3598]

I am new to the pen turning. I got a lot of good info to work with, very good job getting the info across.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Stan, Glad my video helped. Regards, Bob

[@wadesaunders583]

You are my goto guy for pen stuff! great work. awesome ideas...

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Wade. Regards, Bob

[@MrVillafum]

Wow, very nice Bob!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Mike. Regards, Bob

[@robertevans6481]

Always a joy to watch you turn. And I dig that center band a lot.....have a great week

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Robert. Regards, Bob

[@wadesaunders583]

wish I could like this one a dozen times!!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Wade, This was a fun pen to make. Regards, Bob

[@turningprayersholly_fry5054]

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Nice pen, I like the trim ring in the middle. I see you are using the TBC bushings, I had a problem with using mine. Sometime after the holiday rush is over we should talk. Have a great New Year.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Merry Christmas Holly. Sounds great. Redards, Bob

[@valborchardt3596]

Absolutely fabulous pen, love the slimline pens, not a fan of fat pens as i do write a lot at the clinic where i work, thanks Bob, take care and taking this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas, much love

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Val, Merry Christmas.

[@DonStevic]

After seeing this, it inspired me to try this myself. I used acrylic instead of veneer, and for the most part I am happy with it . It took me 2 attempts to line it up right but I got it. My biggest issue was making sure the bottom slides into the top. I didn't expect to shave it down as far as I had to. Overall I was pretty happy with the look. I was going to post s picture, but I can't find a way to do it :) Thanks for making these videos. They really help give me ideas of projects.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Don, I’ll bet the pen looks amazing. Regards, Bob

[@DonStevic]

@@RJBWoodTurner I tried to post a picture but I can't figure out how to do it on KZbin

[@RJBWoodTurner]

YT blocked photo posting for some reason. Email: [e-mail]

[@trevormiller1366]

Nice mod, tidy looking pen!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Trevor. Regards, Bob

[@Anilm3]

Fantastic modification, thanks for sharing!!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Anil. Regards, Bob

[@walshjp17]

Really nice pen, Bob. A suggestion for centering the finial blank on the sacrificial faceplate: Find center on the end you will make the tenon, mark it with a center punch and then bring up the tail stock to the center point. It will automatically be centered on the sacrificial faceplate. You can then hot glue it to the faceplate.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Great tip John. Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@ronaldainaire7086]

Beautiful job! will be trying this idea thanks Bob

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Ronald. Regards, Bob

[@mhaz49]

Very interesting and informative video, Bob. Keep being creative.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Mark. Regards, Bob

[@harrelsonboys]

Very interesting pen. Thank you for the videos. Can you make a video on shaping the wood? Showing the techniques for rounding the wood, keeping the centers fatter than the ends of the blanks and things of that nature. I should be turning within the next few weeks and look forward to be apart of this awesome hobby.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you John, I’ll see what I can do. Regards, Bob

[@doswellpierce2068]

That is a awesome looking pen. Great modification. Will have to try one sometime. Keep up the videos. I really enjoy and learn a great deal from them.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Doswell. Regards, Bob

[@johnvoak8970]

Don’t know how I missed this video at the time you uploaded. Thanks for sharing Bob, I just love the way it turns a standard slimline pen into a special/different looking pen. It is also nice to add a finial in the same or contrasting wood. 👏👏

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you John, This was a fun one to turn. I need to think up a few more Slimline ideas. Regards, Bob

[@stevebrown1132]

Wow Bob! I like it! Thanks again for what you do and for sharing it with us.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Steve. Regards, Bob

[@oldcodger3509]

VERY nice pen!!! I really like how you modified this pen! I'm looking forward to trying your method out as slim line pens are a perfect way to try different styles...if you screw up, you haven't wasted alot of money!!! :>) Still a VERY nice pen, sooo THANKS for taking all your time to make and share this great video with us!!! Safe turning to you and yours ALWAYS!!!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you, I really appreciate your comment. Regards, Bob

[@charlesreicks648]

Really Nice Turn. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thanks

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Charles, Merry Christmas, Bob

[@shanemcardle9574]

Merry Christmas to you and yours. Fascinating as usual

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Merry Christmas to you too. Regards, Bob

[@davidpeters8813]

Great pen and very clever modification, I'm going to try it. And that wrench technique is absolutely brilliant! I'm assuming you could do the same with any size wrench for various dowel sizes?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you David, Yes, bought a cheap set and I use 10, 11, & 11 mm wrenches and and an old 1/4” wrench to make tenons all the time. Regards, Bob

[@davidpeters8813]

You mean you can keep track of a 10mm?! 🤣🤣

[@RJBWoodTurner]

@@davidpeters8813 LOL, Pro Tip: use one of those retractable belt key holders. Attach it to the closed end of the wrench, you don’t need that for tenons anyway. Once attached to your belt the wrench will always be close at hand. 😃😛😂

[@J-D248]

Wow! That is such a great idea! I can’t wait to try this.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Jason. Regards, Bob

[@kez3000]

The designer style (with the tenon) is one of my favorite kits to turn. I wouldn't have thought of making one out of a slimline kit. Very interesting! I definitely have to try this. Nice work!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@idbfly]

Great job on that pen.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@nigelfrance6077]

Great pen Bob will have to have ago in the new year

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Nigel. Regards, Bob

[@charruauno386]

Hello FYI I made similar pen but the only difference was that I used penny’s, your looks very nice. Thank you for sharing, have a good day

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Cool idea with the pennies. Regards, Bob

[@terrylucas6339]

Great looking pen Bob! Merry Christmas!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Terry, Merry Christmas Regards, Bob

[@BeaverCreekCreations]

I really enjoyed this video. I will definitely give this one a try. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I continue to learn and improve with my turning. Thanks Stan

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Stan. Regards, Bob

[@charlieodom191]

Great looking pen!!! I will give this a try, already got some ideas. Thanks for the video. MERRY CHRISTMAS BOB!!!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Merry Christmas Charlie. Regards, Bob

[@nathangould2283]

Thank you so much for showing uses how modelfly the slimline pen i got a lot out of it so i would like to say thank you wone agane.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

You are very welcome Nathan. I’m happy you liked the video. Regards, Bob

[@ROWLESmade]

Nice! Thanks for sharing, Bob!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@LynnLaceyLLWW]

Nice process - Thanks for sharing - Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Lynn, Merry Christmas to you too. Regards, Bob

[@pauliepipes2593]

Nice Job. Very creative

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Paulie. Regards, Bob

[@shanemcardle9574]

And happy new year

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Happy New Year Shane. Regards, Bob

[@weslydenton9158]

Very nice

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Wesly.

[@kenfoote4757]

I don't know how I missed this video for so long, but I am glad I found it. I love the European pen look. Thank you you for posting this video. It really has given me some Ideas for wood combinations. If I may ask, where did you purchase the jig for sanding the end of the blank?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Turners warehouse. Ask for Chad Schimel and tell him I sent you. He’s a good dude and a friend of mine. There are two sizes one for smaller disk sanders and one for larger. That’s why you may want to talk with him to help you figure out which one you need. My sander is a 9” and I use the larger jig. You will also need a set of punches. I got mine at Harbor Freight. Regards, Bob

[@genechambers7532]

very nice job bob merry christmas to you and the family

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Gene. Merry Christmas. Regards, Bob

[@norm5785]

Thank you for sharing

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you, I’m happy you liked the video. Regards, Bob

[@justa_grandpa]

very nice job Bob! I had not thought to laminate veneers to make a trimming,. Ingenious! Any reason you did not use a 7mm wrench instead of the 1/4" wrench? You can pick these up individually at any auto parts store, and would be a closer tolerance than the HF wrenches.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Neal, 1/4” is the diameter of the mandrel, 7mm it the outer diameter of the Slimline tube. You could use it but you’d have to do a little more sanding to get it to fit. Regards, Bob

[@justa_grandpa]

Thanks Bob, my mm to inches is lacking today!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

LOL, I completely understand. Regards, Bob

[@larover90]

Looks nice bob I might give that ago

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Ian, It really classes up a plain old Slimline. Regards, Bob

[@barryfields2964]

Instead of the scroll saw, if you could find a hole saw that you could use with a 10mm center drill bit you could cut out little doughnuts right on the drill press. A pen made by covering the entire tube with layers of different veneers might be cool.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

That’s a really good idea on the hole saw Berry. Regards, Bob

[@chartle1]

1:54 when you started to drill the veneer I was holding my breath thinking it was going to explode or just not give you nice hole. If that happens you can clamp the veneer between scraps to support it better.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

LOL, I had great luck drilling, it was the scroll saw that was the devil on this operation. I made that zero clearance and it really helped. Regards, Bob

[@diydadworkshop6123]

Hey man, great video. Can’t wait try it out. Two quick questions. Do u have a link for where you bought the 10mm brass tube? The one I ordered from Amazon does not fit over the 7mm tube. Second question, where did you get the bushings to fit in the 10mm tube? Do u have a link for that as well?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

These tubes will work, their 10mm. I just used the first 10mm bushing i could find in my sets of bushings. Any one will do. Regards, Bob

[@stevenramsey8987]

cool work

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Steven. Regards, Bob

[@lonnieshrum4998]

Hi have questions Slimline pen making it a whole one you showed the length of the two tubes and the center band , in tremending the pen blank with the barrel trimmer you cut away the whole amount of the band, doesn't that make it too short. Lonnie Shrum

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Hello Loni’s, As long as the tube you make is the length of the upper and lower tubes plus the length of the center band, it will be the exact length needed. Regards, Bob

[@turnersparadise8368]

Very cool idea. The finial shape is not matching the upper tube shape though. How can you correct that? You couldn't turn it as one piece then saw it because the saw kerf would disrupt the flow...Maybe sand the finial and top tube as a single unit put together without the clip? Of course you take a chance of getting the top tube out of round by using the Collete...What a neat jumping off point though, is this your idea or did you get this from somewhere? It amazes me the things you can do with the ubiquitous Slimline kit...

[@RJBWoodTurner]

It was my idea to to the onset cap and finial. Regards, Bob

[@krisfreyermuth935]

Nice work as usual. Did I see a new Nova Comet in the background?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Jim Zimmerman loaned me his lathe while mine was down. Regards, Bob

[@DesertBumWoodWorkn]

Very nice Bob, did you shorten the upper 7mm tube at all?. it did come out quite nice!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you, I did not shorten it. I wanted the longer look like the Designer pens. Regards, Bob

[@jbafternoonpiper404]

Bob, did you make that jig you use for sanding the ends of your blanks?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

No, I can’t remember which jig I used in this video. I currently use one from Tim Geist. My buddy Chad Schimmel sells them at www.turnerswarehouse.com. Tell him I sent you. Regards, Bob

[@anthonymaida5718]

Hi Bob Great looking pen. I just purchased a penn state 10x18 var speed lathe , and was wondering what speed do you leave yours on? I Have mine on the low setting.Thanks and merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Hello Anthony, For pens, I turn as fast as it will go, 3,000 RPMs plus. For sanding and finishing as slow as it will go. 150 to 209 RPMs. Regards, Bob

[@anthonymaida5718]

Thanks Bob I guess you go back and forth with belt,I hate to have to always take off the hand wheel to get to the belt.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Unfortunately you do have to do a bunch of belt moving.

[@diydadworkshop6123]

Great video! I can’t wait to try it out. Two quick questions: do you have a link for the 10 mm brass tube? The one I ordered from Amazon does not fit over the 7 mm tube provided with my slim line pen kit. Second question: where did you get the bushings for the 10 mm tube? Do you have a link for that as well?

[@BenjaminVaterlaus]

You can do without the 10mm tube if you want. Just don't turn to the bushing size and leave the top oversized compared to the lower part. a piece of contrast scrap (on the 7mm tube) works just fine - you just leave thicker than the lower part.

[@diydadworkshop6123]

Are the bushings for the 10 mm called “over/under shotgun bushings”?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I don’t recall which kit I got them from. Any 10mm bushing should work.

[@chartle1]

If you make the finial (sp?) Area bigger it will be bigger than the ring on the clip and leave a gap. But what you could then do is cut the finial in a way to hide the ring. Would require some fine lathe work.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

That would be an amazing mod. Regards, Bob

[@chartle1]

RJBWoodTurner you would have to sort of ad a recess and then ad a notch for the clip to come through

[@zonks161]

will something like that work on end-caps or the nub or will it weaken the pen and shorten it's life

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I’ve made a Nib out o Corian. I believe it would work but I don’t know how Long it will last. Regards, Bob

[@335blues1]

What size bushing are used here ?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I used the largest bushing from the PSI Designer NT bushing set. Really you could use just about any size. You can always remove it and tweak the cap to an appealing diameter. Bigger would be better to start out. Regards, Bob

[@335blues1]

Thanks for the reply. Your videos have been instrumental in getting me started with pen turning.... Are there any sources of pre-made center bands that can be used to thicken the midsection of the slimline or slimline pro pens ? The idea being to use one that fits the 7mm or 8mm tube without needing modification. I like the slimlines, but many of those I've shown my samples to tell me that the narrowing at the waist takes away from the look and feel of the pen...

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I don’t know of any company making larger bands. I started making my own from contrasting woods. If your like me, you probably have a ton of cut offs that are perfect for this. Plus I think they look better than the metal. Regards, Bob

[@mikep6494]

I was needing help pricing on pens that I made. I realize the different types of pens out there. I have friends that seen the bullet-rifle pen and now they want to buy them from me. I probably have 20.00 dollars in parts but I need a labor cost. Thanks for any input from anyone.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Hello Mike, I don’t really use a labor rate. I use PSI, they have a low, mid, and high selling price for every pen. I start at the mid and as long as it sells I bump up the price until sales taper off. That lets me know what the market will bare. Then I try to batch make them and improve my processes to decrease my time investment. Regards, Bob

[@mikep6494]

RJBWoodTurner Thanks Bob, your a very talented worker, your pens look amazing. I need to sharpen my lathe tools because I’m getting a lot of lines. But then I see how you use CA glue to get rid of them. Thanks again for the videos!

[@paul1349]

I'm sorry but I've always been the type of person to say what I feel that's probably why I've had so many fights that has to be the ugliest person I've ever seen it doesn't match the top looks bigger than the bottom part it looks like two different pens put together to make one pen nothing flows together then on the top that looks like it has a big pimple I think it's good I tell you this cuz this is going to help you probably make that a pants

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. 😃