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  • Hurricane Turning Tools
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    • PEN MAKING

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    Pen Making Supplies for Turning Pens on a Wood Lathe

    Pen turning is a rewarding and creative hobby that combines artistry with precision craftsmanship. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced woodworker, pen turning offers a unique opportunity to create functional, personalized writing instruments that can be used or gifted. Many woodturners also find pen turning to be a lucrative side business, selling their handcrafted pens at craft fairs, online, or in local shops. With an endless array of materials and styles to choose from, pen turning is an accessible way to enter the world of woodturning while producing unique, handcrafted results on a small scale.

    Pen making is an ideal hobby for several reasons. Turning pens is often one of the first skills people learn after they purchase a wood lathe. Unlike larger woodturning projects, pen turning doesn’t require a large workspace, heavy-duty machinery or a full-size lathe. You can create pens using even the smallest benchtop wood lathe, making it perfect for those with limited space.

    Pen turning will allow you to experiment with a variety of materials and designs. From elegant wooden pens to striking acrylic or resin creations, the possibilities for customization are limitless. Pens can be turned relatively quickly, often in just a few hours, providing almost immediate satisfaction and allowing you to work on multiple projects in a short time.

    Types of Materials Commonly Used for Pen Turning

    One of the most exciting aspects of pen turning is the wide range of materials you can use. Combine that with the large selection of pen kit colors and designs, and the possibilities are virtually unlimited. Whether you want to work with traditional wood blanks or experiment with modern materials like acrylic or resin, each material offers its own unique characteristics, appearance and appeal.

    At The Woodturning Store, we carry everything you need to start or enhance your pen turning journey. You will notice that most of the pen turning products that we offer are from Legacy Woodturning, which is available exclusively at The Woodturning Store!

    Wood Pen Blanks

    Wood is the classic choice for pen turning and is favored for its natural beauty and variety of grain patterns and colors. A few of the most popular types of wood for pen turning include:

    Cocobolo: A dense, oily hardwood with deep reddish-brown tones and unique grain patterns, cocobolo is prized for its durability and polished finish.

    Goncalo Alves: Often referred to as “tigerwood,” Goncalo Alves is known for its striking contrast between light and dark streaks and bold grain patterns with rich brown hues and dramatic stripes, creating a visually dynamic pen.

    Granadillo: This tropical hardwood features a dense, fine grain and a deep reddish-brown color, making it a striking material for high-end pens.

    Teak: Famous for its weather-resistant qualities, teak offers a warm, golden-brown color and a smooth, consistent grain.

    Mango: Mango wood, with its pale tones and unique spalting, provides a light and earthy aesthetic, ideal for pens with a natural look.

    Burl Woods: Burl woods, such as maple burl or redwood burl, offer unique and unpredictable grain patterns that result in one-of-a-kind pens.

    Acrylic Pen Blanks

    Acrylic is a vibrant and durable material that can be shaped and polished to a high-gloss finish. Acrylic pen blanks come in a wide range of colors, swirls, and patterns, making them a fun and eye-catching option. Acrylic pens are known for their smooth, glass-like finish and modern aesthetic.

    Resin Pen Blanks

    Resin is a versatile material that allows for endless customization. You can cast your own resin pen blanks by embedding small objects like flowers, metal shavings, or colorful pigments into the resin before turning it on the lathe. Resin pens offer a unique, artistic look and feel that can’t be replicated with traditional materials.

    What’s Involved with Pen Turning?

    Pen turning involves several steps that require precision and attention to detail. Here’s a general, basic overview of what’s involved when it comes to turning a pen on a wood lathe:

    Choosing a Kit: Pen turning starts with selecting a pen kit. These kits contain all the necessary components, including the pen mechanism, tubes, and bushings. You will also need a pen blank made from wood, acrylic, or resin, which will be turned on the lathe.

    Preparing the Pen Blank: The pen blank needs to be cut to the appropriate size to match the pen kit. Once cut, you will drill a hole through the blank to accommodate the brass tube, which is part of the pen mechanism. The brass tube is then glued into the blank.

    Mounting on the Lathe: After the glue has dried, the pen blank is mounted on the wood lathe using a pen mandrel and bushings, which are included with the pen kit. The bushings serve as guides, ensuring the turned pen matches the diameter of the pen hardware.

    Turning the Blank: Using woodturning tools such as gouges, skew chisels, or carbide tools, you’ll shape the pen blank to your desired profile. The goal is to carefully turn the blank down to the size of the bushings, creating a smooth, even shape.

    Sanding and Finishing: Once the pen is shaped, it’s time to sand the blank, working through progressively finer grits to achieve a smooth surface. For acrylic or resin blanks, micromesh pads are often used to bring the material to a glass-like finish. Finally, you’ll apply a finish to wooden blanks, such as friction polish or CA glue, to protect the wood and enhance its appearance.

    Assembly: After turning and finishing the blank, you’ll assemble the pen by pressing the components together using a pen press or a vise. The brass tubes hold the parts securely in place, and the pen mechanism is ready to be installed.

    Pen Turning Supplies

    Pen kits are the foundation of any pen-turning project. These kits include all the necessary components to construct a pen, such as brass tubes, a mechanism for twisting or clicking, and pen hardware like caps and clips. You’ll need to pair these kits with your chosen pen blank material, which will be shaped on the lathe to match the dimensions of the hardware. One of the most popular choices among beginners are slimline pen kits. These are very basic, 7mm pen kits that are easy to work with and produce sleek, elegant pens.

    In addition to pen kits and blanks, a variety of tools and supplies are essential for successful pen turning. Pen Mandrels are a must-have for turning pens, as they allow you to mount and turn your blanks accurately on the lathe. Specific drill bits are required to create the correct-sized holes for pen blanks. The size will depend on the pen kit you are using. Bushings serve as guides to help you achieve the right diameter for the pen parts, and Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue or epoxy is commonly used to secure the brass tubes inside the pen blank.

    When it comes to finishing up your pen kit after it has been turned and assembled, friction polish, wax, or CA glue finishes help to protect and enhance the look of the wood or acrylic blank. Finally, a pen press helps to assemble the pen parts securely without damaging the components.

    Buying Pen Turning Supplies at The Woodturning Store

    At The Woodturning Store, we are your one-stop shop for all things related to pen turning. We carry an extensive range of pen and pencil kits, blanks, bushings and other supplies to help you craft beautiful, personalized pens on your wood lathe. Whether you're interested in turning wood, acrylic, or resin pens we have everything you need. Our exclusive Legacy Woodturning brand offers top-quality products, including a wide variety of pen kits that are designed to make the pen turning process easy and enjoyable. Our knowledgeable team is always here to answer questions and provide advice to ensure you have the right tools and supplies to complete your projects.