Turn Your First Pen: - Mandrel (Pen) Turning - Turning Basics #03 - Pen Turn - Part Two

NOTE: Table of Content Quick Links Below
Pen turning is a fantastically fun way to get into woodturning and learn the foundation skills you'll need for more advanced stuff. And with a little practice you can make them quickly, efficiently and to enough skill to be a profitable side hustle, fundraiser or group gift.
When I started this mandrel section of the turning basics series I knew would be a monster. But after editing it all together I recognized it was too long. So I broke it up into three videos. This is the second part of that subdivision where we turn a pen.
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Archived Live Q&A for Lesson #03: COMING SOON (Will be recorded July 27th about 7pm CT)
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Coming Next: Spindle Turning
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Table of Content:
- Picking Pen Kit: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- What's in a Kit: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Bushings: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Picking Out Wood: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- The Grain: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Dividing Blank: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Drilling Blank: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Gluing in Brass: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Sharpen Pen Mill: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Facing the Brass and Wood: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Mount Pen Blank: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Tool Rest Alignment: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Lathe Speed: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Turning Technique: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Shape: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Sanding: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Finish: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Assemble Internal Parts: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
- Wrap Up: • Turn Your First Pen: -...
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Referenced Content:
- Part One of Mandrel Turning Section: • Mandrel (Pen) Turning ...
- First Class: The Lathe - • The Lathe - Turning B...
- Second Class: Lathe Accessories - • Lathe Accessories & Fi...
- Prerequisite Course: • Prerequisite Course
- 4 Cuts: • Four Cuts - A Wood Tur...
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So if you feel these videos and series are of value to you and others please consider shopping and patronizing these sites:
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Tools & Material Used in this video:
* Associate Links (marked with an *): These are links to items from companies which have "associate programs" which means I'll earn a percentage or two on each sale. I'm not paid to "place" a link here. These are items I own and use which can be verified via 10 years of online content creation.
- NonAssociate Links (marked with a - ): no money/product exchange for referral
* DMT Diamond Paddles: amzn.to/3zrZJLA
* Pen Blank Clamp: amzn.to/3wVtliC
* Pen Joiner/Press: amzn.to/3kDMW4o
- Turning Kits & Blanks: www.bereahardw...
- Turning Blanks and Tools: www.woodpeck.com/
* Robert Sorby 3/4" Spindle Roughing Gouge: amzn.to/3iBCCqO
* Jacobs Chuck wt MT2 taper: amzn.to/3ziBaAz
* Cone Live Tailstock: amzn.to/36QAvKr
* Robust Tool Rest for 5/8" post: amzn.to/3trYB8y
* Links to MIDI, MINI lathes and chucks from ONEWAY: www.amazon.com...
Associates Link of other items such as Tool, Book, etc.... I already own/use in woodworking craft that are available on Amazon - www.amazon.com...

[@soldier4christ172]

How does this video not have more comments!?? This man knows his stuff and is an incredible teacher. I appreciate the love and depth he places into sharing this craft. I am blessed to be starting on the same machine he is using here. Making it easy to follow along for the class. Thank you for all you do.

[@Its_Me_Wheelz]

This video is 2 years old, and I can't believe I have had to search so hard to find it. This is golden stuff here most want you to pay them to hear and its ant even this good.

[@tome.8999]

Wish my teachers back in school were like you. You're a great teacher.

[@paintilludrop]

My library in Fl.has a free Foundry..I have learn to make slimline pens, now making a roller pen out of oak stair banister..upcycle. Love turning!! 67 year old women artist

[@darhym0]

I’m going to get some of these little tools and get my lathe going again. I like your style of teaching!

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Good stuff! Instead of a squirt bottle, use a small damp sponge. Squirting waterfrom a bottle causes rust/etc., on the lathe bed and tooling. A damp sponge allows you to place water only on the work. Another option is a small 1" sponge brush or paint brush.

[@briankelly6645]

Shawn, you usual excellent combination of show and tell instruction. You not only demonstrate but you also explain why you are doing what you do.

[@nonfacebookuser5867]

I've berm searching making poems sms this is BY FAR the most comprehensive vid I have seen. Thank you Shawn

[@lightburning9693]

You are truly a great teacher. Thanks so much for your time and effort.

[@garysevior8602]

mate what you show in your KZbin was great for a beginner. I am just leaning how to turn wood and the small tips was explained properly and easy to follow. well done

[@bobhepple5752]

Just starting out in Pen Making Love the video I usually find these mind numbing and puts me to sleep but your way of putting over the information kept me engaged just Love it...

[@MugsMalarky]

Haven't started yet but he makes me think I may actually be able to do it.

[@danboy6681]

Outstanding presentation…well done !

[@alanhill769]

I have just got my lathe and I ordered my acrylic blanks a while ago, Now I have ordered wet and dry emery pads and my slimline packs. I am beginning to get excited. Thanks for the video. This looks like a wonderful hobby.

[@MrProman55]

Thanks for the very comprehensive instructions. I have yet to make my first pen but after watching this,. all my questions have been answered

[@Mechanic1945]

Brill video. I find it hard to remain engaged listening to tutorials but was enthused throughout with yours. Grand job.

[@mikepullen8028]

Never really appealed to make a pen, but after your video I must say very impressed going to have a go thanks for your time and effort

[@slurryoffagrape]

Hello from the UK.... Great video, and shines with experience, shown in the attention to detail and tips that usually only get learned from 'doing' it, and a lot of it at that. I learned a lot and enjoyed it too. Proper job, old son.

[@robharold4783]

WOW one of the best I've seen thank you

[@lendernunez9094]

Man you are such an artist and you really enjoy what you do, keep it that way because it’s just perfectly performing everyday!

[@r.mercado9737]

Outstanding!

[@fielderknivesandpens3552]

Love your content. I’m new to pen turning but have made quite a few now. I learn more every time I watch your videos. Keep teaching for us guys who need to learn. Much appreciated.

[@Wolfie-Crafts]

Great video, thanks. I hit the subscribe button and looking forward to more.

[@DarksouIjah]

Turned my first pen last night(I took a class). I didn't want to stop. It's so much fun. Already looking at pen kits to give as gifts.

[@Bowman2B]

Cheers mate . Was thinking about making pens ,now I will .

[@mortenolesen1772]

You are my hero and inspiration. You are partially to blame for the lathe delivered to my garage yesterday. I have been dying to try to turn bowls, boxes, mushroms and tops since seeing your vids. Now I want to turn a pen since watching the first 2 parts of mandrel turning. Cant wait for pen turning part 3 to go live. Luv luv luv

[@robertlumsden942]

this was excellent. thanks

[@lVl1GGL3]

I love this series as I have turned a few pens but have learned quite a few things from this series so far. Thanks for the great (in-depth) videos.

[@caleblee8215]

Man thank u for just a in depth instructional video I was scared to death to do my first pen but this really helped me out. Thank you!!

[@harveysburger]

Great video, I clicked on it thinking I wouldn't watch to the end, after all I just went through a dozen pen turning video.... But I was very wrong! Great delivery, great tips. I watched every second and will watch the full series Thanks! Liked and subscribed!

[@MelkeinMaalla]

Thanks for a great video! Your approach on per turning is different from other videos I have seen, as they seem to use kits in which you glue the metal tubes inside the blank early in the process and then put it on the lathe and trim to that length. It often seems like a mess. My mandrel has a tailstock blade to trim the wood into the level of the metal tube. The way you put the pen together without that glueing mess is more of what I would like to do. I have used the madrel to make wooden beads for jewelry, but will try a pen next. I also have a live center kit that has a mandrel saver head, it is a tube with the same inner diameter than the madrel. I allows using the pressure of the tailstock on the wood, while the mandrel slides inside the tube and there is no risk bending it. Highly recommend! Mine is from Record Power from the UK. Loved how you used the roughing gouge - I have started to appreciate my big roughing gouge using very high speeds. Its shape gives a straight shape so easily as the wings are so far apart and for that reason it naturally looks for a 90 degree angle on the working piece if you allow it to touch it on a slightly unconventional angle so that the wings touch the piece and not only the very bottom of the gouge U-shape. On that angle it works as something like a scraper and works great on some woods. I do not have a flat scraper (...yet, LOL) and my skew is sharpened with a mild curve on it as it prevents catching.

[@beardedwoodpecker]

Excellent tutorial!!!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us Yiannis (Athens Greece)

[@adamlovestobuild97]

Excellent video

[@trahtrebor]

The rule of 3rds. Lol Great instruction. Thanks.

[@davidmc8764]

I like how you do things & you enjoy what your doing. I must say your a influence, I saw your pin press & the way it works & me being a tad lazy I now to have the same one. Thanks

[@plakor6133]

Very helpful. Thanks! Have not seen pen turning and assembly before.

[@zachariahsmith4594]

This is the most informational video I have seen. 🙏

[@gloriosatierra]

You are a good teacher. 🤝🏼

[@mileshh515]

Watched the entire first video. Thanks again!

[@bazookaproof2]

Thank you for making these videos, thinking about playing around with this so getting my homework in.

[@MikeDooley]

Great video, great teacher, I learned a ton

[@oxymoron-om5xm]

i thought 55 mins was gonna be too long....how wrong was i..... excellent tutorial...thanks for inspiring

[@MrBgallo]

well done watched so many vids on pen turning but you explained everything so much better thank you , enjoyed the vid

[@tylerkrug7719]

I'd totaly watch more videos,but I don't typically have 30 mins to a hour to watch a video. Il have to catch up on some more videos someday. Thank you

[@aarondsalberg]

Very thoughtful, well presented.

[@aliabazaid4293]

very important and useful information... Well done

[@diggernash1]

The memories of armor plated fingers after build RC plane kits...before the foam wonders

[@SB-cl6hv]

Great teacher.

[@judiehammond]

So helpful. Well done!

[@tylerkrug7719]

Great video! You know your stuff

[@loucinci3922]

Fantastic lesson. Can't wait to see the new tools in action. Thanks for sharing.

[@angelaburt3266]

Superb stuff. Thanks

[@benjaminryan5015]

Dude, I made my first pen following your video! Thank you so much!!! Brilliant instructions and the step by step guide really helped me to get through it 😎👍🏻

[@lesliem.lengyel7648]

I was hoping to see CA on the pen. the show was still interesting. I LEARN A LOT...

[@JDeWittDIY]

You're an excellent teacher, thanks!

[@whild017]

I learn so much from your videos thank you. Your very thorough and explain the differences between doing this versus that which helps alot to see it rather than just another video saying do this cause this wont work which doesn't help anything. Thank you keep up the awesome content

[@kensurratt2729]

IMHO a (Turn Between Centers Mandrel ) gives a better result. After I learned Bowl Turning from your videos , I decided to try Pen turning, been at it a couple yrs now. Sold a few online, I found the TBCM was a better turn, it gave better control. The bar mandrel has a tendency to bow.

[@tonysmith3143]

Awesome job

[@carlosrodriguezjr80]

Thank you 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@rkdv]

I like to add a subtle round to each end of the wood before assembly, this removes the sharp edge if the bushing and parts do not match diameter.

[@alanscrivner1881]

Great tutorial and advice - - as you always do. For those without a drill press, you might show how to drill out a blank on the lathe. For production work, the drill press is best, but for a one-off or for those just getting started without all the tools, one can do it on the lathe and definitely safer and more accurate than a hand drill.

[@wortheffort]

Remember me saying this was one long video cut up? That was covered in first part talking about jacobs chucks with Morris taper.

[@stevecorry2118]

I don't know if I have seven years of experience or one year seven times. This was a great video with things I didn't know. I use my drill press to square the ends of my blank and it doesn't work, so now I will try doing it with the hand drill. I didn't know to go from the high point down to the end. How does one know if the lathe will go in a reverse direction? Thank you.

[@jshanab42]

When I saw the part of the video where you are lining up the grain and removing as little as possible I thought maybe it would be good instead to attempt to remove about the thickness of your center spacer. But it did end up that way with the facing operation. ( Just starting with wood, years turning metal :-) )

[@mt11235]

Re: costs, wood turners catalog has their own line of "Apprentice" pens that for the slimline are just over a couple bucks. Not sure how they compare, seem fine to me, but when making my first couple pens it was no worries since with blanks I was still less than $5 a try. Although looks like Berea has a starter kit with bushings, 15 kits and blanks, and the drill bit for $54. Hard to beat that price.

[@nitrousblast1]

Hello, great series of videos. I’m new to lathe work, I’ve been hand carving spoons and such and using wet wood. I have heard turning bowls and other things that I should use wet wood as it turns easier. For pens and bottle stoppers should I use wet or dry wood? Thanks

[@garetkonigsfeld2]

That is my favorite pen. Where I buy it its call the Toni Twist. Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@BrentDaughertyMe]

Really enjoying the series. My main interest in getting a lathe was making bowls and the occasional spindle for furniture and what not. That said, I appreciate the details on making pens and definitely plan on making a few now that I know what's involved. I didn't even think about that the internal hardware could be a pencil instead of a pen, so I'll definitely be making one of those for myself as I tend to use pencils in my woodworking more than pens. Did you say the other videos in the series are already available for patreon members? I really appreciate the videos, you're a good teacher and you deserve to be compensated for such quality content.

[@wortheffort]

Not yet but I have others. See my turning playlist or search .’turn your first”: bowl, box….

[@aaaasddddddddddddfff]

Great video... where/when is part 3 coming you mentioned?

[@hangingoutwithronwalters4505]

Thanks for everything. Do you have any videos on mini lathes for smaller budgets?

[@deanlipska549]

Good video. Do you have a video of taking the pen apart? Sometimes, I make mistakes.

[@wortheffort]

You can't really. It's a compression fit so the brass is expanded. Won't fit as well the second time. Hence figure in a little waste when working out pricing when you batch out hundreds.

[@mystic9696]

If I don't have that type of friction polish for finishing, what are some other options? I have past wax, beeswax, shellac, walnut oil and other types of finishes.

[@Evel1847]

Ribbed for your pleasure!!! Hahaha that’s great

[@Shouw72]

You're an inspirational teacher. I'm a grade school teacher and have just got into this hobby. I've made a bunch of pens so far, but would like to set myself up similarly to you. I see I can buy the tubes as a separate part from the kits, but can I purchase all the parts like you have separately, or do you have to buy the whole kit? If so, what's the point of buying the tubes in bulk, if I can't buy the parts in bulk? Do you see my dilemma ? Can you point me in the right direction to build up some supplies? Many thanks for your great videos. Keep up the wonderful work. Best regards.

[@bigosnation]

When drilling the hole, is there a reason why the wood is clamped corner to corner instead of on the flat edge? Edit: I figured it out. It's to ensure the block and bit remain square to each other so the hole is straight.

[@garypodger7548]

Hi Shawn, thank you for this series…BRILLIANT!! Would you have an affiliate link to the plastic ’parts’ boxes that you use? Cheers Gary (from Downunder)

[@dannyhathcock7963]

I like the sanding pad that you used, is there a link for that product?

[@jerjavec]

Very nice video, lots of great information! I know you briefly talked about the CA finish when you were putting the friction polish on, how do you feel about the long term viability of the two finishes? I personally prefer the friction polish finish (I like the feel of it better than the more plastic feel of the CA -- and I'd be lying if I said I didn't prefer the speed of the friction polish vs. the CA), but I'm concerned about how they will stand up compared to the CA finish. Have you ever had customer complaints? Thanks again for what you are doing here!

[@frankkirschner]

How do you tell what size a pen kit is? I bought several kits, and the ad didn't mention the size, and there are no instructions with them. Thanks. Great video. Very helpful.

[@wortheffort]

Go to manufactures website. Download info/instructions.

[@theretrogeek2281]

Hello can you tell me where I can buy a sanding pad like that to use different sandpaper in one pad as seen in 40:07 thanks.

[@johnmeeks9618]

You should tell folks that placement of the clip can be used to cover issues in the wood you might have in the peace.

[@wortheffort]

I discussed clip coverage.

[@acidfacejake3739]

Hey mate, I noticed around the 36:00 mark that your tool rest is pretty high in relation to your piece. I know the rule is that the cutting edge of your tool should be at the centerline of the piece as you ride the bevel, except for scrappers, depending on the grind. Is the height of yours specific to that tool that you were using?

[@wortheffort]

skews are higher

[@wortheffort]

Dude, camera angle.....

[@justinfletcher7630]

I feel like pens are the last thing people would want to spend money on

[@jarmstrong2843]

I’d like to know from those who turn pens regularly. In generalities, Is this a profitable endeavor? I realize this is an open ended question and wonder if I should pursue to supplement income during retirement.

[@wortheffort]

Wait for next video.

[@jarmstrong2843]

@@wortheffort K. Thank you, Shawn.

[@pauleyedwin6056]

Where is next part?

[@littlebit8901]

Never throw a piece of wood away! you monster! lol

[@ClaudeAdrienNoel]

Where can we find the pen parts, which company.

[@delirious772]

Where can I find the next video?

[@wortheffort]

Not done yet

[@tomdyson4318]

Have you considered time stamps on long videos like these?

[@wortheffort]

You mean like the Table of Content I put in the description of long videos?

[@tomdyson4318]

@@wortheffort yep! Just like that! 😅 sorry mate!

[@Casey.Wilson]

Have you suspended or terminated the turning basic series?

[@wortheffort]

Mo

[@tomjudkins3799]

I dont see any after this video either. Thanks for posting these, I've found them very helpful!

[@geek2nurse]

I can't find the pen turning part 3 video -- where are you hiding it???

[@wortheffort]

still working on it.

[@gfishin1332]

Why are you so against carbide turning tools. My friend Amos turns with carbide and sells lots of very beautiful pens. I am just starting to turn and the carbide allowed me to turn almost immediately...and I didn't need to spend a lot of money on a sharpening system or take the time to learn how to use it. I realize that if I get more involved with turning, I may want to switch.

[@wortheffort]

They have there place. Just not here. And if you watch the earlier parts of this series you’ll see, even when including a sharpening system for just the $25 gouge used in this video, it’s cheaper. It takes 10 seconds and almost no skill to sharpen the gouge used in this video. If you already recognize you’ll switch then you recognize starting out carbide means you’ll pay double. So why not learn….

[@jefferybilling9093]

Sorry hit thumbs down by mistake