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Hello from a complete beginner

DJH146

Apprentice Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2013
Posts
8
Location
Orkney
Hi everyone,

My name is Denis and I live in the Orkney Isles, off the north coast of Scotland.

As the title of the thread suggests I am a total beginner having turned the grand total of zero pens. Being a keen golfer I was looking for something to do in the winter nights as it's too dark in the evenings now. My Uncle does a lot of pen turning and my Dad has just started so I thought I would give it a go too.

Had my first ever go using a lathe tonight and predictably it was a disaster, started out ok but got a bit carried away trying to shape it and ruined it. Enjoyed doing it though and my Dad is a patient teacher so hopefully it's onwards and upwards.

I've had a look at some of the pictures of other peoples pens on here and I'm stunned by the level of craftsmanship on display, they are works of art. Hopefully I'll manage to get something made I can post a picture of here too.

Thanks for reading and hopefully I'll not ask too many daft questions.

Cheers

Denis
 

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
Welcome to the forum Denis. Everyone has to start somewhere and you will soon pick it up and be making cracking pens in no time with limitless help from the people on this site.
 

yorkshireman

Wood Rat
Executive Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Posts
5,199
Location
wrexham
First Name
Keith
Welcome aboard Denis. Ask any questions you like you'll find lots of help on here. Look forward to your first photos.

keith
 

Woody

Registered
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Posts
12,812
Location
at home
First Name
no
Welcome Denis the only daft question is the one you dont ask look forward to seeing some of your pens when you are up and running
 

edlea

Lobbygobbler
Registered
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Posts
4,693
Location
Blackpool
First Name
Ed
Hi Denis ..welcome There are lots of helpful folks on here to help sort you out ... you will have to shout out though as most here are old fogies and don't hear to good LOL
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
Welcome to the forums Denis ... :thumbs: If you stick at it we can assure you that some newbie will come on here in the coming months and comment on how nice your pens look ... :wink:
 

DJH146

Apprentice Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2013
Posts
8
Location
Orkney
Thanks for the replies guys. Going to have another bash at it tomorrow. Think I was lulled into a false sense of security by how easy my old man made it look, even though he'd never done it before either he's pretty handy when it comes to working with wood. I ended up messing about with a scrap bit of wood just to get used to turning it and using the tools. I can certainly seeing it getting addictive once I get the hang of it.
 

Grump

Grand Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Posts
10,504
Location
Stevenage
First Name
Brian
Welcome young Denis Ask all the daft questions you want make.
But watch out fro the daft answers from the daft ol buggers ear init?
 

silver

General dogsbody
Executive Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2013
Posts
6,301
Location
Somewhere in Staffordshire,
First Name
Eamonn.
Welcome Dennis, we all started off at the beginning.. This is your start, don't be put off by the pens already posted and think that yours is not worthy when it is..:thumbs:

We look forward to seeing your pictures ..
 

bluntchisel

Registered
Joined
Sep 2, 2013
Posts
3,849
Location
Kent, UK.
First Name
Bob
Hi, Denis, Welcome aboard our good ship! Firstly, don't worry about making mistakes - it's all part of the learning curve to perfection. DON'T buy expensive kits initially - Slimlines and Euros are ideal starting-level kits. If you can make these pens consistently well move up to the more demanding pen styles. This also applies to your woods - practice on cheap-to-buy pen blanks because if you screw up then you're only a few pence out-of-pocket. Warning - DO NOT get involved in turning acrylics until you have mastered turning wood - it will lead to heartbreak (and wallet-break!) due to the comparatively high cost of them.

Hope this helps.

Bob.
 

Buckeye

ペンメーカー
Executive Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Posts
9,697
Location
UK
First Name
Peter
Welcome, turn as often as you can, if you can do it daily, you will be creating great stuff in weeks.

Peter
 

rowdyyates115

It's Showtime.....
Registered
Joined
Jun 22, 2013
Posts
2,155
Location
Portsmouth, UK
Welcome on board Dennis.
Pull up a chair, participate and enjoy the banter....:wink:
And of course post up some of your work when completed....:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
 

fionaspens

Full Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2013
Posts
98
Location
Northumberland
Welcome Dennis.

I'm sure your Dad will have you turrning masterpieces in no time. Don't worry about making mistakes - we all make them too. Enjoy the forum you'll learn a lot from these guys. Kind regards Fiona
 

Paul

Fellow
Joined
Oct 22, 2013
Posts
1,053
Location
Kent
Welcome Denis, I'm a total newbie too, the guys are great and post that first pen no matter what you think. Then on your next ones ask the chaps for observations the knowledge you gain from their wisdom saves months of trial and error.
 
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