Requests

Jim · Jan 4, 2014

Just before Christmas i was asked by two reps if i would make them some pens with their company logo on them, i declined this offer as i treat pen making as my hobby, i don't want to be made to go in the shed, i like to go in when I want to go in and make whatever comes to mind.. How do you feel about it? They still bought pens from me, and one came back on Friday asking me to make him four more, to be ready for the end of February .. Right up my street ... :thumbs:

yorkshireman · Jan 4, 2014

I know what you mean Jim. I've had two separate people offer to do me a website but i declined both times. I do not want the commitment. I work full time and long hours. People do give me commissions but i tell all of them that it will get done when I get time.

keith

bellringer · Jan 4, 2014

I do some commission work with time frames but it not as fun

Woody · Jan 4, 2014

I agree with you Jim turning is my hobby and I dont want it to become a business in fact I wont allow it to I have had several offers over the years all of which I turned down but dont get me wrong I do like to sell what I make but I also like to make what I want to make not what I have to make

Terry · Jan 4, 2014

I agree with you Jim. I was asked for some just before Christmas and I didn't have the available kits from Timberbits. I managed to get the kits in time and complete the request. This will not happen this year as I intend to build a stock up of various styles and if anybody wants a pen then they can have one from stock. After all it is a hobby and I am not going to be put in that position again. If I haven't got what they want TOUGH !!!!

Grump · Jan 4, 2014

Yep I'll take it on, I need to I have no work.
Whatever whenever but at my price like it or lump it.

Woody · Jan 4, 2014

Grump said:
Yep I'll take it on, I need to I have no work.
Whatever whenever but at my price like it or lump it.

I was thinking of you Brian and your chimneys as I was typing my comments it would be a different story for me if I was in your position Mate I would do the same as you but thank God at my age I dont have to now

paulm · Jan 4, 2014

I have built up a stock of pens and have 2 shops selling them and now that I'm exceeding production to what they sell I'm setting up a web site. I also wouldn't like to be in a position whereby I was forced to make them but I just can't stop making them and the CMM says if I don't sell them I've got to stop making them. It was hard to disagree when her foot was on my windpipe.

rowdyyates115 · Jan 4, 2014

I keep a little stock made up just in case.
It is a hobby not a business to me. I don't sell enough to make it into a business anyway.... :winking:

Penpal · Jan 4, 2014

Some 8 or so years ago I made a pen for our 50th wedding anniversary to give a Huon Pine burl pen to every male member of our family the exercise was worthwhile and lengthy however I started months before and it was easy doing them my way when I made time. A kitchen manufacturer asked me to make pens Corian and Timber from material used in his kitchens but knowing his turnover of kitchens was well in excess of twenty per week no way Jose I know him well and he is a just in time guy and when I retired was the last time anyone dictated emergency turning, feel better I kept out of commercial turning also people want you to do them wholesale in bulk something else to avoid.

Kind regards Peter. :thumbs:

edlea · Jan 4, 2014

I make pens in my time If they go on my website and sell ..then fine, if they don't sell that's OK too. It's only a hobby for me after all.

Neil · Jan 4, 2014

I keep six or seven just in case, but never had to use them yet.

I get thoroughly bored of all the requests that I have had to put company logos on pens. The last contract that I bid for was for 300 streamlines for an over 40s introductory party company (otherwise known as cut the prelims, your place or mine). I went home and said to the wife, yeah yeah blah blah, got it in the neck for being pessimistic, bloke wanted them in 30 days, reckoned I could just about do it as I have turned 50 streamlines in a day and not gone too barmy before. Never happened.

bluntchisel · Jan 5, 2014

I'll make a pen for someone but don't know how to make logos nor do I want to. A pen should be bought because of its looks and usefulness - not as an advertising stunt for some company or another. I don't buy a car covered in adverts - so why buy a pen like that?

Bob.

dotslad · Jan 5, 2014

Happy new year to all.
I never take on commissions as turning is my hobby and I do as I please I spent far to many years doing what other people wanted me to do.

stevenw1963 · Jan 5, 2014

I only sell what has been made & is on display, end of. I'll sometimes be asked if I have one in a certain colour wood, if I don't & I have a pen kit in the drawer I'll make it in my time.
Like most of you, I work long hours in a full time job, I keep my hobbies separate & fun. I don't advertise nor have a website, my choice.
I do sell most of what I turn, word of mouth & a couple of Christmas fairs only tho, no pressure on me that way, except when Paula says 'that's mine you can't sell that one'' which means I wouldn't have anything to sell if I listened to her !!!

Penpal · Jan 5, 2014

Neil,

Sympathy on your need for mass production needs from time to time I also met a guy in your position making a living from pens who bought custom ground drills ground to exacting standards as he never glued any brasses into the blank but pressed them in and he developed fascinating methods to really jet speed his processes. Just thought this one worthy of thought to pass on.

Kind regards Peter. :thumbs:

Requests

Jim

yorkshireman

Wood Rat

bellringer

The Young one

Woody

Terry

Chairman Plonker

Grump

Woody

paulm

grave manibus faciendum

rowdyyates115

It's Showtime.....

Penpal

edlea

Lobbygobbler

Neil

bluntchisel

dotslad

stevenw1963

Bodger supreme

Penpal