UK pen kit supplier

Just to follow up on BradG thread.

Is it worth putting together a list of uk suppliers we have all dealt with on here so that every member can find a list of suppliers? (Good and not so good)

We could get our moderators to pin it to the first page as well.. (Please big boss Doug..oh and bigger boss Jim..)

Let's make this thread UK only, I will raise another thread for None UK suppliers.

Suppliers name.
Customer service.
Quality of kits, (I know it's subjective and personal expectations but price alone doesn't make them high quality.)
Delivery time
Postage charges.

Provided we cover those items above then everyone can make their own mind up.

There is even a chance for all you SLEEPING members to put your thoughts in to the forum..

Let's keep it on track as much as we can as well eh?

This could be interesting, might be more then you know about.

Suppliers name. John Davis Woodturning Centre
Customer service. Excellent
Quality of kits. Budget to mid-range kits plus GPS acrylics.
Delivery time. UK post
Postage charges. Standard UK postal charges

Axminster tools too

BradG said:

Axminster tools too

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If you want over priced

My preferences

I have 2 pen turning suppliers that I use, because they have good postage rates and good prices..

Obviously Phil 'the Ink' (Beaufort) Dart: his refills have now had a good test and acceptance in my area. Beaufort Ink - High quality pen refills at an affordable price such that I have now started reordering as a French reseller.

Secondly, Vince Coates at Turners Workshop The Turners Workshop He existed before Axminster et al and provides the original equipment at good prices having been going for over 15 years. More to the point, his guarantee is worth its weight in gold.

There is one other but not necessarily for woodturning but if you want excellent quality woodworking tools which also encompass turning, joinery and sculpting, then go to Matthew at Workshop Heaven

Workshop Heaven - Fine Tools

don't just surf his site, call him and have a chat about the tool you want and why etc If he doesn't have it and won't stock it he will recommend one of his competitors, if you buy a plane from him he will fettle the blade for you and his guarantee is also solid. Tell him Pierre said so and listen to the laugh: but the Clifton plane that I bought from him still makes perfect shavings and the Ashley Isles turning tools (and the cabinet makers chisels) allow me to start at 240 grit sandpaper (yes I use a tormek) the point is he is a competent tool man with good kit.

PG

Personal experiences over a time solidify confidence the most important decision is to establish trust, smile as you pay.

Peter.

Pierre said:

if you want excellent quality woodworking tools which also encompass turning, joinery and sculpting, then go to Matthew at Workshop Heaven

Workshop Heaven - Fine Tools

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Plus one for Matthew.

Suppliers name. Pen kits UK http://penkitsuk.com/
Customer service. Excellent to exceptional
Quality of kits. Budget, razor kits and also tools for the pen turner.
Delivery time. UK post
Postage charges. a little bit higher than some but usually next day service.

Suppliers name. Members of this forum!
Customer service. Second to none.
Quality of kits. Whatever you need! If you are short for an order, skint, or need one part someone will help out!
Delivery time Usually within the week.
Postage charges. None!

Suppliers name. UK Pen kits UK Pen Kits - Creator of hand cast resin blanks for many turning projects.
Customer service. Excellent
Quality of kits. Not doing pen kits now but is doing Razor kits and some really good hand cast resin blanks
Delivery time. UK post
Postage charges. Standard UK postal charges

This is Mervin, original founder of the UK penturners forum that closed down.

Along the way he developed some good resin blanks several DVD's that are worth a look. Really honest guy and always help full.

And we mustn't forget George Watkins for truly unique pen and box blanks.

Walter said:

And we mustn't forget George Watkins for truly unique pen and box blanks.

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They are truly impressive .... found myself saying WoW ! quite a lot

silver said:

Suppliers name. UK Pen kits UK Pen Kits - Creator of hand cast resin blanks for many turning projects.
Customer service. Excellent
Quality of kits. Not doing pen kits now but is doing Razor kits and some really good hand cast resin blanks
Delivery time. UK post
Postage charges. Standard UK postal charges

This is Mervin, original founder of the UK penturners forum that closed down.

Along the way he developed some good resin blanks several DVD's that are worth a look. Really honest guy and always help full.

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Bought a number of Merv's blanks and gotta say they were up there with the best ..

Suppliers Name Turners Retreat
Customer Service Excellent
Quality of Kits All Kits I Have Used Top Quality
Delivery Time Within 2 Days
Postage Charges £5.25 under £50 £2.95 £50 - £99.99 over £100 Free

Sorry Eamonn but I dont very often turn pens now except for the veterans so I have lost touch with how suppliers perform now any kits I do buy are from our Dan so I'm sorry but I cant be of much use on this subject suppliers I have used and recommended have already had a mention some I did stop using because the quality of there kits has deteriorated far below my expectations even some of the big name suppliers whom I wont name and shame as some of you dont agree with that

Our Daveegee on here is another very good UK supplier
Customer service excellent
Quality of kits standard kits to good excellent pen blanks
Delivery time very prompt
Postage at cost
At the moment he is building his own web site

Quite an education looking up these suppliers thans to everyone.

Peter.

Penpal said:

Quite an education looking up these suppliers thans to everyone.

Peter.

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It's good to see its worthwhile Peter, I hope that some of the existing pen turners and the new find it usefull and worthwhile.

On Saturday I intend going to a Field Day a Rural one amazing what you find in unexpected places, One year i bought an Hydrolic Engine Hoist, Boat tie downs for the trailer, huge numbers of nuts, bolts and washers, a massive roll of tie string used for bales (tractor manure). Fascinating. So each contribution on this series of posts prompts me to look them up amazing thanks.

Peter