Pen Making - Batch Processing

[@MikeWaldt]

After having a "Production Set Up" lesson from Mr. Ron Radliff I now adopt a very similar method to yours brendan with my pens. i have about 20 al ready to put on the lathe, and it's not OCD, but good time management, in my opinion. Great lesson Sir, and thank you. Take care Mike

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thanks Mike, I got about 54 pens ready to go today and about 14 turned. I know I can go out tomorrow, early, and knock out about 3 pens an hour. It's a good way to get a box filled and have stock just in case someone needs one or you want to give one away.

[@ZacHiggins]

Hey Brendan, great video! Thanks for sharing all your processes. Great assortment of blanks you have, those pens are going to be awesome!

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thanks Zac, I used to make all one type of pen at the same time but that gets boring so I make mixes batches and that means the turning is more interesting and keeps me on my toes. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@oaksho]

Great information again Brendan, I wish I was as organised as you. All the best Tony

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

***** LOL, you may have noticed that I didn't show much of the disaster I call a workshop.Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@BlindWoodTurner]

Hello again !! Brilliant advice just like the other pen video.If you don't mind ,I would like to adopt the "BMac method."I like routine and sequences too. Thanks Brendan !! Chris.

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Christopher Fisher LOL, by all meant steal my method, I'm sure I stole it off someone else.Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

My process is very similar to yours Bendan, I like the group the blanks by sizes and perform one task at a time on all of them to prepare them for turning. Then, I get the fun of turning pen after pen, that's the reward for a good preparation program. Regards, Bob

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

RJBWoodTurner Exactly, I made about 14 pens this evening so all the drudgery was worth it...actually, I like the repetition, it's a bit like what people describe in meditation but I can't meditate because I won't let myself stop thinking all the time so this is as close as I get.Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@mooseberrycreations1408]

Thanks for sharing! This feeds my necessity for order and will greatly enhance my pen turning experience. Take care, Rik

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thanks Rik, I've found that order and patience make a good mixture for getting well prepared blanks. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@MARKBaid]

That's a lot of pens Brendan. I don't do well doing the same thing over and over again. I may do a few pens but after that I would have to go on to something else. Your system is very good and I could see how it would work great. Thanks Mark

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thanks Mark, the reason I started making batches of pens like this was because, like you, i got fed up making a few, individually, in a short space of time. All the processes just got to be annoying so I decided to try getting all the boring stuff over at once...and like it. The up side is that if I need a pen after the blanks are done I can knock one out in 15 or 20 minutes. I'm going to have a run at filling another pen box next week so I'll probably show those ones too. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@broadsideguy967]

Great couple of pen videos there sir , makes perfect sense . Cheers

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

broadsideguy Thank you, I should do a video of the pens I made today...I'll do that in the morning.Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@stuartdavey]

I like your batch sequence! I usually only do 1 or 2 at a time, so it takes a significant duration to actually have a finished pen. It makes much more sense to prep many any have them ready to make when the desire arises.

[@DanielVilarino]

Hi Brendan! My wife is a bit OCDish, I guess she would love the way you process these. But I have to admit, I do it also in a similar way. I found that it takes much less time per pen to do them 10 or 20 at the time, that one by one. Because you save yourself all the time involved in changing different pieces in the lathe, etc. and also, because after the first one or two, you sort of fall into a rhythm and you become more efficient. Like the saying goes "practice makes perfect" but I have found that "recent practice makes it even better", so I try to do batch processing whenever I can. Great video mate! Cheers! Daniel

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Daniel Vilarino Thanks Daniel, as you say, practice does make perfect because you get tuned into the work and notice tiny things you might miss if doing a one-off pen. I think batches produce much better quality pens than those I make one by one as I need them.Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@kbbacon]

A very organized system! I do my toys in a similar fashion. I cut several bodies and a batch of wheels. Then I can take all the parts through each tooling process at the same time.

[@baconsoda]

I like batch processing because I have the parts for another project if I want to do it. I am going to be trying toys soon because you have inspired me to have a go so there will be videos on that. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@DemasShopforEverything]

That's a large batch, great work :)

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

***** Thank you. I'm on a bit of a pen marathon but I'l be able to explain why soon.Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@GingerRootable]

I can't meditate for a hill of beans, my head starts singing every commercial I have ever known! So, I gave up trying to woodwork because I'm afraid I'll lose a finger and went back to art and stained glass making. Those pens must be amazing, they make you feel like Noel Coward or somebody with something to say. I would just end up making beautiful penmanship grocery lists that rhyme. That way I don't forget anything and they're pretty funny. I sometimes leave them in the carts at the store for people to read. I caught one guy cracking up!

[@baconsoda]

HAHAHA, that's brilliant! I'm going to have a go at that. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@tblbaby]

This is very familiar it seems, but I can't be sure cause it's late and I'm bout to do a face plant. Excellent processes to get things right, and a great assembly production organization. I hope things have been going well. You promised to tell us what's up, but maybe you meant another video :) Good to see you. All my best wishes, whoever I am O_O

[@baconsoda]

I might have made this video 11 times, I can't remember. I'm like a butterfly flitting from topic to topic so i do some a few times. I'm 57, I hardly know what day of the week it is. All good here and 2 bits of good news to come. I feel a potato reveal coming on. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@PENFOLD1962]

I like... I like a lot, do you have an engineering/machinist background? With my memory this concept would be perfect for me. Is there a company that you can recommend for the pen blanks, kits and pen turning accessories? I'm hoping to make some wooden blanks myself but I've seen the tropical blanks with the figuring and colours that pen turners use and the finished product they are gorgeous aren't they. Thanks for sharing a very interesting video, and for sharing your hints and tips. Cheers Andy

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

+PENFOLD CARPER Thanks Andy. I went through school without ever using my hands and only started when I got married and then became a fairly enthusiastic DIYer. However, my background is mathematics so I love sequencing and my mates are engineers and mechanics so I've learned a lot from them. My family is full of gifted engineers, joiners, cabinet makers etc so I hope I have a little of that DNA somewhere. I like processing batches because it's so relaxing, some people hate it but I see it as one of the joys of turning. Pen kits - I get everything from 'Timberbits' in Australia, great selection, quality and service. If you spend over AU$120 you get free delivery which takes a week or so. It's easy to spend $120. If you buy kits buy bushings from the same supplier because they do vary slightly depending on where they are made. This is why I stick with 'Timberbits'. There's also a very good site in England called "The Turners Workshop" run by Vince Coates who has very good prices for kits and blanks. If I hadn't been to 'Timberbits' first I would have used him. anything else you think of just shout. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@tonybanner7599]

saw your memo on the table said Drama Presentation. Is this for your production run?

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Tony Banner Ah, i wondered who might spot that. It's a ticket for a festival week of plays in about 1955. My father and my mother's sisters and brother were enthusiastic amateur actors and actresses and one lady did work full-time in London and Canada and them acted while teaching. I found that ticket when I was going through some of my mother's stuff and left it out to show to my aunts. You get the Eagle Eyes prize.

[@PetesBackGarden]

Nothing wrong with OCD it stands for 'Order Creates Direction' that's how I see it.

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Peter Edwards Exactly, I'm going to tell my wife that...she will laugh anyway.Best Wishes, Brendan.