Turning Pens For The Craft Show

[@chriswalters1014]

Bob i would not mind hours upon hours if you turning pens i would love that i never get tired of your pens man take care now God bless

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Chris.

[@MonteTurner]

Bob I would have no problem watching a 45 minute video that you made. I always learn something.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Monte Turner Thank you Monte, I truly appreciated that. Regards, Bob

[@daliahbrown3309]

RJBWoodTurner (

[@ramaroodle]

Agreed!

[@jackmaravola2496]

I thank you so much for the step-by step making of your pens Bob. This has been nothing less of an excellent video show. Way to go.....!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Jack Maravola Thank you Jack. Regards, Bob

[@BillKibby1]

You sir are a man on a mission! Very best on the upcoming event, hope you sell lots of your beautiful pens!! - Bill

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Bill Kibby Thank you Bill, I appreciate the well wishes. Regards, Bob

[@johnmclean7852]

hearthookhome.com/crochet-dishclothwashcloth-free-pattern/

[@turnersparadise8368]

Your technique is very similar to mine. Big surprise as you taught me everything I know! :-) Against popular opinion I have been experimenting with finishing my pens at high RPM. I micromesh all the way up on slow speed but then turn it up and *carefully* go through the 4 highest grits again at fast speed and apply the polish at high speed. I have yet to burn through and it does produce a super high gloss finish.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Tenspeed TheBikeHanger That's interesting, I never thought to try that but I might give it a try. Great tip b

[@allyjojo3]

You never fail to amaze me. your work is just beautiful.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+allyjojo3 Thank you very much. Regards, Bob

[@glenmckelvey5952]

The first one looks great Bob .

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+glen mckelvey Thank you Glen, I hope they all turn out that nice. Regards, Bob

[@russhughes5192]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only guy who prefers the roughing gouge for the entire turning process.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Russ Hughes Hello Russ, I love the control I get with the longer handle. If the tool is sharp, I get a very smooth finishing cut too. Regards, Bob

[@davidgardner49]

I fell into something quite by accident. I bought some Swingline Rubber Finger Tips from Amazon to use when I'm scrolling to make pushing the stock easier under the saw blade. I tried using one on my index finger when applying ca glue and it works great. The paper towel will stick to it but it comes off very easily. It works even better when sanding with the 150-600 grit sandpaper. You don't even feel the heat buildup from the sanding. Hope you try it. Enjoy all of your videos.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+David Gardner Great idea! I'll have to check our Office Depot. Regards, Bob

[@frankingram3382]

Great looking pen Bob. God Bless my friend.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Frank Ingram Tank you Frank. Regards, Bob

[@Lee-qp6gf]

A lot of good tips. I like CA on some turns also and I make sure I have glasses on when I do. I know you do. Cheers

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Lee Waterman Thank you Lee, I do wear glasses and some times a face shield when applying C/A. The drool process I use can fling it if your not careful. Regards, Bob

[@ericmilligan3]

A nice pen Bob, and as usual very informative, thank you.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Eric Milligan Thank you Eric. Regards, Bob

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Great little mini series. This is actually pretty funny haha, because I'm currently also getting ready for a craft show and in turning a bunch of pens and bottle stoppers right now.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+The Russian Woodworker That's cool, I hope you have a great show. Bob

[@UriValdez]

Great tutorial

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@valborchardt3596]

Thank you very much, enjoyed watching that. Have a great one, from us all in south africa

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Val Borchardt Thank you Val, It's great to hear from South Africa. Regards, Bob

[@bobbycresap4440]

I know I am late in seeing and posting this but THANK YOU! This is an awesome video and I am now subscribed to get the new ones on time.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Bobby. Regards, Bob

[@danharold3087]

Making a few items is fun. Keeping the quality up on a batch requires a continued focus that can be taxing. Thanks for sharing.

[@nickkendall3764]

I myself make batch items and some people have no idea how hard it is to make things consistent and perfect every time of been told many times my work looks machine made it's so perfect I didn't have the heart to tell them that kinda work destroys your life lol.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Nick Kendall Thank you Nick, I only batch for this show because I need a bunch of pens. I'm like you in that I take great pride in my finished product. Once finished each one gets inspected for flaws and if their not perfect, I re do them. I measure in repeat customers. You hit the nail on the head, it is hard to keep things consistent, it's so easy to rush and you have to fight the urge to do that otherwise the quality goes in the toilet. Regards, Bob

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Dan Harold Thank you Dan, I work very hard to keep my quality high. You are 100% right that it requires focus. Once turned, every pen will get inspected before leaving the shop then again by my wife as she makes price tags for them. If there not perfect, I re do them. Regards, Bob

[@JimmyKoKo2]

+RJBWoodTurner another GREAT video sir! Like the new digs.

[@derekdodson5623]

Bob, thanks so much for these 3 videos. How many pens do you usually take to a show?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I use to take 75 to 100 pens to the shows. That’s probably way to many but I wanted a variety because everyone likes something different. Regards, Bob

[@derekdodson5623]

@@RJBWoodTurner Thanks so much!

[@garrymeador252]

Thanks for the video. I noticed that you use painter's tape to cover your finger for the CA glue. I've been using the small zip log bags that the pen clips come in. They fit well over the end of my finger and easily reused. As you know, if you make many pens there are tons of these bags that cost nothing.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Gary, I have a ton of them but I haven’t tried that technique yet. Regards, Bob

[@DavidWhite]

Bob ya done gud! One of the things I do, when using the first Micromesh pad I look closely at the blank. It should be completely hazy. If I see any shiny spots it means I have a hole in the finish or I need to sand more. Do you remember where you got those long 7mm bushings. All of mine are the short ones and I could use the long ones. Thanks

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Dave White Thanks Dave, that's a good tip. I got the long tubes at Penn State. Someone told me the hobby stores carry them but I haven't checked yet. Bob

[@DavidWhite]

Bob I guess I didn't explain myself well. I am talking about the bushings that you turn to n ot the pen tubes. The normal 7mm bushing is about 5/8 inch long. You also have some that are about an inch long.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Dave White Oh, LOL, I picked those up from Woodcraft in Louisville. They cost $4.95 and I like them because they don't seem to compress like the smaller ones do. Bob

[@DavidWhite]

Thanks Bob I am going to check them out

[@LittleBullseye]

You and a couple other pen turners taught me everything I know. Have you ever tried label casting? I have been for a while now. The next step for me is to try stabilizing. Love the video as usual. Keep up the great work and happy turning!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Matthew Wilson Thank you Matthew, I haven't tried that but I'd like to. Time is my biggest enemy. Regards, Bob

[@beepaw1]

Great video Bob, would you share how you display your pens at craft shows, I'm new at the craft show circuit and would appreciate any input.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+beepaw1 Yes I will but it will have to be closer to show time. Last year I just laid them on a table, this year, my wife and I are trying to come up with something better. Once I have it figured out, I'll share. Regards, Bob

[@beepaw1]

Thanks Bob, I was wondering if you had too many people handling them just on the table. My thoughts would be a glass covered display case to keep the hands off until you had a serious inquiry. I'm hooked on your videos

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+beepaw1 Thank you, I prefer not to put them under glass. (The expensive ones are under glass). I keep the slim lines just laying on the table, I also keep lots of small paper pads laying around. If someone is looking, I'll hand them a pen and say try this out. It's like test driving a car. I want them to touch the pens and see how they feel in their hand. I think if someone's on the fence, that may be the deciding factor. You do have to keep an eye on the kids though. Regards, Bob

[@beepaw1]

Thank you for the input Bob, great information

[@tellojsu]

Do you finish each pen completely before starting next one? Or do you break between steps like get all turned, then sand all, then micro mesh all?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Josue Tello I finish the blank completely. I wait and press them together all at once. Regards, Bob

[@georgeballentine1045]

what do you use for polish

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+george ballentine Hello George, I use HUT Ultra Gloss. Regards, Bob

[@georgeballentine1045]

Thank you for the reply

[@brynphipps8374]

Really helpful video thanks 👌

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Bryn Phipps Thank you Bryn. Regards, Bob

[@ericmcrae7758]

Hi Bob A very good video for any beginner starting out on pen making. I have been making pens for about 3 years lost count of how many probably 100 or more. Recently I was given a quantity of Red Cedar from an old floor, in order to get a finish I found it best to give it 4 or 5 coats of sanding sealer after the 240 grit. ( I notice you dont use this at all) then I use Yorkshire grit to complete the sanding, the beauty of this product is its a paste that contains any sanded dust and gives a finish between 600 and 1000. Polish or CA can then be applied this method really makes the grain pop especially with dark woods. I was surprised that you don,t have a spindle saver (a live centre that goes in the tail stock and fits over the threaded part of the spindle) pressure is applied to the brass nut and stops you bending the shaft. These are just my thoughts i know any 10 turners will have different views and methods I am always keen to see other methods. Good luck with your show. Eric

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Eric McRae Hello Eric, Thank you for the information on your finishing process. I love the Mandrel saver, I just bent mine and rigged this up. It's been working so I haven't replaced it yet. Regards, Bob

[@leapinglemurcraftworks6426]

Great video. Are there any kits you would recommend for a beginner and where would you buy them from? I'm building my lathe bench as we speak and I was given a large quantity of blanks to get started on. I'm interested in lend and pencil sets too. Thanks......Scott

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+The 2 Car Garage Shop Hello Scott, I usually recommend slim line pens because there inexpensive, under $2.00 each. I like the Fun Line version from www.pennstateind.com. I'd recommend requesting a catalog from them, the website is ok but the catalog is great! The Fun Line series also offers a matching mechanical pencil just under $4.00 each. If you can turn slim lines you can turn any other kit out there. Regards, Bob

[@leapinglemurcraftworks6426]

+RJBWoodTurner thanks, will order the catalogue ASAP.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+The 2 Car Garage Shop if you have any questions or need anything let me know. Regards, Bob

[@TheVerspagets]

So it's best to put the speed on low instead of very fast for sanding?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Yes, it builds way less heat. Regards, Bob

[@TheVerspagets]

RJBWoodTurner thank you, but why is the heat a problem? And will slow turn sanding the same smooth result as fast? Thank you

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Heat from sanding wears the paper out quicker.

[@TheVerspagets]

RJBWoodTurner ah ok, didn’t know that. Thx

[@RJBWoodTurner]

It doesn’t let the dust clear and can also burnish the wood. You want to sand at the lowest possible speed. Then when you stop the lathe, sand with the grain to remove any circular scratches. Regards, Bob

[@nickkendall3764]

grate work as usual I love your attention to details I can completely appreciate that .like the step going back to the metal bushings form the hdpe I'm sure a lot of people just skip that and that's possable what the guy or girl did when they made the other pens you fixed. a few videos back .anyways I just wanted to say I really respect the way you do things .I don't make pens I turn acrylic mouth peices and leather work knife handles and such but I would love to make a pen or pencil probably better for my use some day but after seeing a master at a craft I havnt tried as I have my specialties and id rather trade another master at there craft for something I have mastered I'm a barter kinda guy money means nothing to me I'm strange like that my payment is smiles. not money

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Nick Kendall Thank you Nick, I to trade many of my pens, barter is a win win. With pens, it's all about the fit and finish. I have customers that will feel the barrels and the fit of the components. I like that because if there are other pen turners at the show, and they buy one from me, it says volumes about my work. I make pens because I love making them. I sell them because I can only use so many and I use the cash to make more. It's an addiction. Regards, Bob

[@johnmolinaro7953]

What type of polish do you use?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+John Molinaro I mostly use HUT acrylic polish. Recently I've been using PlastX, just testing it out. Regards, Bob

[@Lostfriar1]

Watched all three of these videos, very impressive work , Sir. How many pens do you normally take to a show? We are planning on a show in November, I let you know how it goes.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Tarry Frey Thank you Tarry, This is a big show. So probably 200 plus. Bob

[@jlyonm]

I was wondering, where do you purchase your pen kits? I buy mine from Penn State Industries, but have you found a place to get a bulk discount?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+J.L.M. I also purchase almost everything from Penn State. Regards, Bob

[@willreid3]

Bob what would you sell that pen for at a craft fair? I don't do craft fairs but mainly make them for friends and their friends. Some times I think I give them away, do you sell them to friends at a different price. Thanks, Will

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+WILL R Hello Will, I'm happy to discuss this with you but I'd prefer to do it privately. My email address is: [e-mail] Regards, Bob

[@TJSWOODWORKINGSHOP]

Can you turn a pen and 10 minutes my friend? :)

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+TJ'S WOODWORKING SHOP No, It takes a bit longer than that. LOL. Bob

[@TJSWOODWORKINGSHOP]

Oh ok