Rockler's Beginner's Pen Turning Kit - My First Pen Turning - Let's Figure This Out

[@claudiomenesesc]

Great video, btw love the stove.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

@@claudiomenesesc I got that stove from an old campground meeting room.

[@tonyblanco305]

Well done for your first pen! I got this kit in January and agree that it does a great job gathering all of the stuff you need to get started making pens. I was also very confused on those small HDPE bushings but they go with the brass piece to adjust the stop point if you are turning a pen with a single barrel that is not long enough to reach the threads on the end. They are the same material as non-stick bushings but slightly different in shape. A 4-pack of those only costs a few dollars the next time you are near a store and they work well. The kit was lacking on description of its components. Nice job and good luck with the seam ripper when you get to it!

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Good advice and good luck with the mini lathe

[@TheBillPayingHobbyists]

Nicely done, Jeff. Loved the video. I'm with MPart- looin' forward to seeing the seam ripper.

[@ThomasTurner-h8u]

I'm a true beginner and appreciate the video. Was easy to follow. There was one point during what you call CA, that you stopped applying or buffing and sprayed the turning with something. What did you spray and why?

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

@@ThomasTurner-h8u it's called accelerator. Search CA glue accelerator. All wood shops and Amazon carry it.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

@@ThomasTurner-h8u or Activator

[@ThomasTurner-h8u]

@@LetsFigureThisOut thanks!

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

Well Jeff, that looks really good. You can be proud. Was it good enough for your aunt ? And the seam ripper ? Or is that for another day ? You know your experience here shows us your advice to Just Go Get a Kit and Go For It is good advice. I have been wanting to do pens for a long time so maybe sooner now that later !!! Thanks so much for sharing this video🙏 Take care. -Mike😷

[@jeffanderson8483]

Awesome video. I am definitely thinking of this!

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

I really enjoy it. Everyone has stress in there lives and this is one way to escape even for a few hours. The best part is when you are done, you actually have something to hold.

[@GY51360]

good video. i bought same kit and cant figure out what that compression fitting is for

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Me Neither

[@gregpeterson2916]

Good video!

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Thank you

[@pedalingthru2719]

I was against making pens, and I eventually did a few , i sold a psi lighthouse pen today for $135.00

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

WOW, Good Job!

[@deanmiller294]

I bought the same kit last week and really enjoy making these. Problem is (not really) as soon as I make them someone wants one for themselves and a friend. Enjoyed your video.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Yup, I finally just bought kits/blanks in bulk so I can make a few at a time. Well that and there was a sale at Rockler.

[@curtisaitken7027]

How long did it take you to make the first pen? Have you made more since? How many and how long does it take now? Great video.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Actually I lose track of time when I'm turning wood. I've only done about a dozen. The finish is where things can take awhile. CA glue finish can go really fast unless you mess it up, then you'll need to sand and refinish, but it's a learning process. Using a wipe-on poly is not as nice as a CA finish, but is really fast. Also with a CA finish keep an eye on it building up on the bushings. With sharp tools, using pen blanks and a wipe-on poly finish, I could make about 2 in an hour.

[@curtisaitken7027]

@@LetsFigureThisOut thank you for the quick reply.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Quick Update:. I still need to make the seam ripper and match pen. After that I will be transitioning into Wine bottle stoppers for gifts. I have all the specialty tools for the seam ripper from Rockler. For the wine stopper, I was closer to a Woodcraft so I went there for the kit which is no where near as comprehensive as the Rockler Beginner's Pen Kit. Fortunately the staff at Woodcraft did their best to ensure I have all the right tools. I was at Woodcraft when they opened and I am beginning to see a trend here. Apparently wood turners don't get up early enough for the first shift.

[@BBgunX22]

I'm interested in pen turning and even though the kits are cheap I still need a lathe and that is not cheap. I also have no place to put it so I'll have to figure something else out.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Turning wood is a good hobby that actually gives you something when you are done. Try running an add to see if someone has an unused lathe and tools. A friend of ours found one in a barn that hadn't been used in decades. After cleaning it up, he made a shift knob for his truck.

[@BBgunX22]

@@LetsFigureThisOut Thanks! I'll try that!

[@jlewis300]

THANK YOU, I took the class at Rockler, then bought the kit, then was like HTF do all these bits go....

[@jlewis300]

my cutter bit does not cut =/

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

I've been so busy that I've not been doing much woodturning and I miss it. Two more major projects and I'm back on the lathe.

[@martinm3474]

Why did you put a ink line on the block before cutting it into two?

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

I'm in the middle of the Atlantic, when I get back I'll refresh my memory and get back to you

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Okay, I figured it out. I make 3 lines. #1 This line is length wise and is so that I can line up the grain after I cut it into 2 pieces. Line #2 &#3 match the barrel lengths. Turns out, you really don't need Line #1.

[@penmaker2]

Nice start…avoid steel wool, it can wrap around the blank and take your finger with it. Try “micro mesh”.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

I actually did get a wrap when I wasn't paying close enough attention

[@danielcunningham4473]

For pen turning they have smaller tools for that

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Yes, and I have considered an entire pen setup for next year. It would great if I could put together a complete "sit-down" setup so I could be more comfortable.

[@richjones5432]

I gave up @ 3min.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

I usually skip thru videos to see how things turn out (pun)