Woodturning - How to turn your first pen

[@garyp8471]

Watched you for long time, although been a long time sine you've rung my notification bell, im thinking of turning a pen or two for family Christmas presents, found your tutorial which i thought was has good has ever, very informative thank you. Hope you and your family are keeping well, do hope you still find time for a little turning. All the best Gary.

[@smeefamily54]

Good day: Just found your channel. I have been turning pens for about 35 years. Really enjoy it. Your tutorial is excellent for beginners. Very detailed instructions. I too make the slim line pens. I used to do craft shows but found it cost me more than I made. Now I just sell them by word of mouth. Take care and stay safe. From: Petawawa, Ontario, Canada. I am originally from Northern Ireland.

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks for your comment I really appreciate it 😁 what a beautiful part of the world you live in 👍 thanks for watching, all the best Tom

[@guntherkratt1979]

Well explained and I like the DIY jigs. If I want ot go into pen turning one day, I'll surely come back to this video

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thank you Gunther 😁

[@olivermole3275]

Fantastic vid sir I will love to try to make these pens they look amazing and you video is good because you take your time through each step and explain how you do it

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks Oliver 😄

[@steveparham1515]

Thanks so much for the video! I really like how you showed making the blanks from wood which you already had on hand.

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks for your comment Steve, I'm glad you liked the video 😁 thanks for watching 👍

[@steveparham1515]

@@thewelshwoodman649for this past Christmas, I made about 70 pens for family and friends. The wood I used was a variety which included some pallet wood which I don't know the species. Other wood was from my property (dried Black Cherry, Poplar, Spalted Maple, and Privet) and then from previous wood projects (Padauk, Walnut, Pecan, and Purple Heart). I always enjoy seeing their reactions when they receive these types of gifts. Lots of fun for sure!

[@thewelshwoodman649]

@@steveparham1515 That's great to hear Steve, it sounds like you have been busy 😁all the best Tom

[@richiethewles]

Another great video taff, I carnt bally keep with you.....I've not turned a pen yet but after this video I'm going to try one after the lamp...completely agree with Oliver mole, you have a unique way of explaining the processes. Thanks, Rich.

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks Rich, I would love to see how your lamp and pens turn out 😁 happy turning

[@richiethewles]

@@thewelshwoodman649 Not likely........maybe after a few more years experience🤣

[@davidstark7255]

This is a great video for a beginner like myself. Just got my starter kit for making pens and taking it a step at a time. Waiting for my small vise to arrive so that I can drill straight holes. You have actually addressed my first bump in the road, so to speak, by simply placing the wood block under the vise to limit drilling distance and allow the hole to be drilled completely through. Thank you. David in Texas USA

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks for your comment David, its great to hear your getting into pen turning :-) I'm glad the video was useful, thanks for watching :-)

[@SteveC38]

Great Video Bud, beautiful pens👍

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks Steve 😁

[@WoodenItBeNice]

1st. This video explains the process so well. That has to be the most solid stop block I have ever seen on a chop saw. The only thing I do differently is that I press the end cap in separately so I don't risk pushing the mechanism in any further into the nib section. Hwyl, Huw

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks Huw, the stop block is a bit of old railroad track I fide it easier to plonk it on the saw rather than clamping loads of stop blocks into place. That sounds like a really good idea about pressing the end cap separately, I'll be giving that a go 😁 thanks

[@peternelson6167]

A great video, clearly explained. I watched this in bed and was so enthused about the pen press I ordered the lever mechanism immediately- £7.50. The Milescraft pen press uses exactly the same lever mechanism just with a very long lever and costs £102. I am thinking that I might turn a slightly longer lever for my mechanism purely to allow for aged arthritic hands; arrival date is tomorrow so MDF at the ready and thinking cap for lever conversion. Sizes for your press and adjustment blocks would be great!

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Sorry for the late reply peter, I'm glad you liked the video, I hope you are having lots of fun making pens and the press is working well for you.

[@richardconkey2656]

Fantastic video

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thank you Richard, glad you liked the video 😁 thanks for watching 👍

[@SurfCracker]

Really good video! Well explained and presented. I've not turned a pen yet and this is the first tutorial I've watched. Looking forward to getting started! Great to see a well used shop too 😁

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks for your comment I really appreciate it :-) I hope you have lots of fun turning pens.

[@davidburgess1204]

Just found your KZbin channel and have enjoyed the content.I have not managed to make any pens as yet but will try to give it a go. Cheers from Worms Germany David

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks for your comment David, I hope you enjoy turning some pens, they are really fun and easy to turn. If I haven't turned anything for a while I normally turn a few as a warming up exercise 😁

[@Chris-yj1zg]

Another fantastic vid. I’m looking at getting my first lathe, try have as much fun as you seem to have 👍🏼 also, must have watched your 50 tips video about 50 times. Keep up the good work

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks Chris 😁 I'm making a how to get started in woodturning video at the moment, ready for January, I'll try and put some helpful tips and tricks in there, to help people select their first lathe.

[@Chris-yj1zg]

The Welsh Woodman that would be fantastic👍🏼👍🏼 I’m just currently working hard over the Xmas to build that little bump you mentioned helps hold the tools close to the body 🤣🤣

[@GavinConwayWoodworkBBQ]

Hi TWW - I've just retired and starting a woodwork hobby. Got a lathe now as well and today got a load of pen turning stuff from a friend whos BIL passed away. So now I've just been binge watching pen making videos. Yours is so simple and easy to follow - thank you. What sort of price do you sell on markets for? I know different woods are different prices but in general pricing I need. I havce a load of skinny and bigger blanks as well as a pile of pen sets. We have a local monthly market and is massive with a huge footfall. I used to make South African biltong and sausage etc and did really well. Now I've done a few with kitchen boards etc and will go into the pens along with other stuff turned and general wood things. .

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thank you so much for your comment Gavin, I'm glad to hear you have taken up woodturning as a hobby. I sell my pens £15 + at markets, again the price depending on the cost of the kits and timber used, I hope this helps give you a ballpark to start with. Best off luck at your markets I hope they sell well.

[@GavinConwayWoodworkBBQ]

@@thewelshwoodman649 thanks for the reply. |I'll use your info.

[@michaelwillson6847]

Those look amazing although the extras to add to the lathe am guessing could be expensive maybe once ive bit more skill and practice. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@thewelshwoodman649]

The pen mandrels are around £20-£50 depending on the brand, you just have to try and find one that matches the morse taper of your lathe :-) I hope this helps.

[@richiethewles]

Finally got round to my first pen, not as flipping easy as what I thought it would be, made a couple of mistakes, I didn’t manage to get the drill hole straight right through the middle and made the top half of the pen too wide so I couldn’t get the damn clip on,( trying to be a bit too flighty ) all in all very pleased with myself......thanks taff, that was really well explained. (which I like, being a Yorkshire man) Diolch ffrind.

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks for your comment Richie I really appreciate it 😁 glad you've had a go at making first pen. I made the same mistakes as you when I made my first one 😊 as with any turning the more you make the quicker and better they will get👍thanks for watching.

[@jasonpierce1267]

Just getting into wood turning, I have scoured KZbin for videos and a lot of them have been useful, but I find yours the most useful for a brand new woodturner like me. You really breakdown things that I see others take for granted that the viewer will know. As a complete novice, these videos have been awesome. Keep up the great work!!

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks Jason I really appreciate your comment 😁 if there are any specific topics you would like me to cover please let me know and I'll try my best to help out 👍 all the best Tom

[@brianbest3777]

I'm enjoying your videos having subscribed last week. Two coats of melamine lacquer, then burnishing cream (or T-cut or silver polish) gives a hard shine surface for the finished pens. I hate CA glue fumes, and have abandoned CA finishes! Merry Xmas Brian

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks for the tips Brian really appreciate it 😁

[@brianroyle2533]

Brilliant video mate, really well paced, the American or Axminster videos send me to SLEEP ! Diolch yn fawr iawn rhag Licswm

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Diolch Brian, your comment made me smile 😁 I hope you have a great day 👍

[@chrisdchurchill007]

The press jig...what have you used for the press handle end? Great video as always!

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Hi Chris, I used I push pull style toggle clamp here is an eBay link to the sort of clamp I used, hope this helps 😁 www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GH-305-Plunger-Stroke-Metal-Push-Pull-Toggle-Clamp-227kg-550kg-558kg-680kg/372767748109?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D61083%26meid%3Dfc89e00a2eea442f91b0226123aa8bdd%26pid%3D100935%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D173955820602%26itm%3D372767748109%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490&_trksid=p2332490.c100935.m2460

[@markduggan3451]

Just came across your channel, as I've just bought a lathe and some pen making kits at Makers Central. I'll be getting into my shed to give it a go. What part of our wonderful country are you from, I'm from Llanelli.

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks Mark, I hope you have lots of fun making them, I'm originally from just outside of Cardiff 😁 thanks for watching 👍

[@RLLWoodworks]

Great video and very informative. I love that centering jig you made. Can I ask, what camera do you use to film with? I just started my own channel and looking for tips. Thanks!

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Thanks for your comment. I use the reverse camera on my Huawei smart phone , to film all of my videos. I like it as I can see what I'm filming on the phone screen. It's probably not the best of cameras, but its good enough to get my points across. I don't have any photography experience or any technical knowledge of cameras so learning lots in making each video. I hope this helps :-)

[@RLLWoodworks]

@@thewelshwoodman649 thanks for the reply! I'm using the main camera on my iPhone and would love to upgrade but I'm glad to hear people can have successful channels using basic photography tools.

[@thewelshwoodman649]

@@RLLWoodworks I've just checked out a few of your videos and the video quality looks really good to me I really liked your California Republic flag it looks really cool 😁

[@RLLWoodworks]

@@thewelshwoodman649 Thanks for the love man!

[@JI-ev9pp]

Just curious, I have some friends that enjoy a particular brand of pen (signo DX) is there any way to turn a pen and use their internals to make it work? Thanks.

[@thewelshwoodman649]

I'm sure there is, another way to make pens is to drill a hole in the blank the size of the pen refill with a long bore drill bit, then turn the blank. That would allow you to use the pen refill internals. I hope this helps xxxx

[@mattbennett1502]

Hi there, my 14 year old son who had his first lathe 3 months ago, wants to make a pen,, he has no mandrel, pillar drill etc, basically just a lathe, I’m confident in his ability. But is it ok to let him try to make a pen with just a lathe and his ingenuity??? Thanks

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Hi Matt, there are other pen versions you can make without the need for a mandrel and pillar drill, that can be safely turned between centers. I used to turn pens that could take Bic pen refills, before having a pillar drill and mandrel all this required was a 4mm long bore drill bit to drill the hole to accept the ink part of the pen. I would highly recommend he wears an impact resistant face shield and respirator to keep his eyes and lung safe. If you are interested I might make a video on the process I use to make pens. I hope this helps 👍

[@mattbennett1502]

@@thewelshwoodman649 thank you for your reply,, totally agree regarding the face guard and mask, first thing I drummed into him,,,

[@terrycoburn125]

Where is the best place to get the starter kit for the pens please?

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Hi Terry, there are lots of places that sell kits, I like to support local suppliers when possible, Axminster sells them in the UK, it depends where you are in the world, you can also buy them through Amazon 😁 I hope this helps 👍

[@markwelling7888]

What kind of a price range would you put on those?

[@thewelshwoodman649]

It depends on the kits you buy and the materials you use to work out your initial making cost, then I pluss on a bit for labour time, finishes and a some to cover my overhead costs,I normally sell pens like this £15+ I hope this helps you 😁

[@rhiannonservini5843]

Do you do one on one or group lessons at all?

[@thewelshwoodman649]

Hi Rhiannon, I don't currently teach one to one's or group sessions, that's something I might consider getting into in the future 😁 thanks

[@rhiannonservini5843]

The Welsh Woodman ok thanks, would be great if you did! Vids are fab! Struggling to find somewhere in South Wales. Where did you learn?

[@thewelshwoodman649]

@@rhiannonservini5843 I'm mostly self thought, I would recommend trying to find a local club, I use to go to a carving and turning club in Bridgend before I moved to Hampshire with work. I joined a local club there which has really helped my turning improve, if you can find a professional turner in your area that teaches that would really help you get started. I'll try and make a few videos aimed at how to get started in woodturning over Christmas ready for January 😁

[@BlueBull998]

What are the dimensions of the blank please?

[@thewelshwoodman649]

The blank sizes are around 17mm, 17mm square around 120mm long, I hope this helps 👍

[@brendangallagher732]

Um… not really ‘slimline’ is it?

[@thewelshwoodman649]

The pen kits used in the video are called slimline pen kits. I hope this helps 😁

[@brendangallagher732]

Yes, I know that’s what they’re called…so why turn it to an unsightly hourglass shape? That’s the opposite of slimline.

[@thewelshwoodman649]

@@brendangallagher732 thanks for your opinion, in my experience that hourglass shaped sells twice as much at craft fairs and art markets than the slim shape which I also turn, I've sold loads of these over the years, that's the reason I make them like this 😁 I'm not saying everyone should make them this way it has just been successful for me. I hope you have a great day 👍

[@brendangallagher732]

It’s all a matter of taste, I suppose. I’m pleased that you sell well, but my own experience is that people didn’t really go for that shape - ergonomically not very comfortable, they tell me. Slimlines are a bit of a problem I think, in that by their nature there’s not a lot of real estate for showing off interesting figuring, so exaggerated shapes can be tempting. Just my four penn’rth! All the best!