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Hi everyone start up equipment advice needed for newbie

kaymania

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2014
Posts
11
Location
London
Hi everyone, just to introduce myself here and ask for your help.

Basically I'd like any advice on starting out in pen turning on a tight budget (around £200 incl all bits required etc).
I'm a total novice and recovering from a long illness so just want to start this great and fascinating looking hobby
for an hour or so a day to get me moving and using my brain. I only have an interest in turning pens and nothing else
so please advise just for pens.

I've done a bit of research etc online but problem is I can't stay on pc for hours as my brain function is limited. I'm improving slowly - but this is why I'd like some real help in getting going. I know for sure I only want to turn pens as I do other bits and
pieces of craft so I'm sure I won't want to start doing great big jobs as soon as I invest in a mini lathe!!:-))

Any advice greatly appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read this.
 

turnaround360

Caracktycus Pots
Fellow
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Posts
2,427
Location
Essex
First Name
Frank
Hi and welcome keep an eye on ebay for a cheap lathe and tools pen liys are on there also start with slimlines they are very versatile.
 

Woody

Registered
Joined
Jul 12, 2013
Posts
12,812
Location
at home
First Name
no
Hi and welcome Kaymania that is a small budget but also a challenge so lets see if we can get you started obviously with that budget we need to find you a good second-hand lathe so I can guarantee you some of the guys on here will start looking for you once that is sorted we will need to find a mandrel to fit the lathe be it 1 or 2mt pen kits you can start whenever you like to stock up the best place is timber bits and with the slimline pen kit the reason I say slimline is they will give you some good practice and they are quite cheep so if you mess up it wont break the bank then chisels all you will need to start with are a roughing gouge or a continental spindle gouge and a skew chisel so I for one will be on the look out for you
Regards Woody
 

Doug

Loquacious
Executive Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2013
Posts
6,647
Location
In the wood shop
First Name
Take a guess
Hi & welcome :waver:

Ebay's your friend with regard a cheap second hand lathe, this one looks to be a beaut & is in your neck of the woods. axminster Wood Lathe | eBay

But even if that goes above your budget they are always coming up, best of luck :thumbs:
 

Matt

Registered
Joined
Dec 4, 2013
Posts
753
Location
Lincs
Welcome to the forum, you are sure to get some great offers of help on here :winking: keep us posted with your progress so we know what to look out for you :ciggrin:
 

edlea

Lobbygobbler
Registered
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Posts
4,693
Location
Blackpool
First Name
Ed
Hi kaymania and welcome...... You will need a lathe (obviously) a couple of chisels, a pen mandrel, a drill, some pen kits and wooden pen blanks and basically that's it. Slimline pen kits are the cheapest to buy but I don't think that they are the easiest pens to make. If you can master them then the rest of the kits will come easy to you. Best thing is to go on to You Tube and look at some techniques on turning pen blanks (loads of videos on there) .Meanwhile the guys on here will shout you when there is suitable equipment coming up for sale to start you off.:thumbs:.
 

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
Welcome Kaymania, The lathe that Doug mentioned would be great if you could get that for under £150. You would then need a few chisels to get you going and some finishing products, oh and some wood which can be sorted when you've got the other bits. £200 will be tight but not impossible.
 

bellringer

The Young one
Registered
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Posts
5,187
Location
Surrey
First Name
Alex
I see you profile say you are in London were about in London as i am just outside London
 

PhillH

Little Grandad
Registered
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Posts
3,436
Location
Solihull - A Tyke in Exile
First Name
Phill
I have a continental gouge that you're welcome to have.

Pm your address and I'll put it in the post for you.

It was free to me ( thx Brian) so I'm happy to pass it on.

Oh and welcome to the best darned forum for anything anywhere.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Welcome from over here Find out if you can buy predrilled blanks for Slimlines a straight forward kit, look at the processes and visit a Wood turning group in your area where help abounds.

Kind regards Peter.
 

kaymania

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2014
Posts
11
Location
London
A BIG thanks to everyone who's responded already, that was really quick!! Thank you Woody for your kind words and Doug/rowdyyates115 I've set my ebay to watch that lathe!

Bellringer, I'm actually in Croydon, near Coulsdon.

PhillH thanks so much for the offer of the cont, gouge - no idea how to PM? Sorry, I'm so new to this forum thing so please bear with me and let me know how, thanks!

Thanks everyone! I will keep you posted with my progress.
 

bellringer

The Young one
Registered
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Posts
5,187
Location
Surrey
First Name
Alex
well i am about 20/25 min up the road near tadworth So could give you a little help to get started if you needed and give you some blanks if you wanted
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
Welcome to the forums Kaymania and i wish you all the best in your fight to get your health back ..

As the lads say, Ebay is your friend for a cheap but good lathe, if you do see something you like then make a post in here if you need some help, the guys will respond for sure .. :thumbs:
 

kaymania

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2014
Posts
11
Location
London
That's very kind of you! Could definitely do with a little help - will keep you posted how I'm getting on sourcing what I need, thanks
 
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