New start

[Allan]

Hello there
I live in the highlands of Scotland.
I'm Looking to try and make a couple of turned pens for friends and family,have a good understanding of crafts as I make horn / wood/ stag horn type walking sticks and can make trout flys,grand father taught me the general starting points in that pastime .
What I'm looking out for is anyone who will point me in the right direction of what I need (basics) to make say 5/6 pens,do I need to spend a fortune on jigs/ mandrels ?
Willing to swap stag horn if it helps anyone

Allan

 

[Buckeye]

You don't need any jigs or mandrels you can turn the pen blanks between centres and as long as you keep track of the diameter as you turn you will be okay. It's probably the best way to turn or rather more accurate. You certainly don't need to buy lots of tools unless you want to.

Apart from the kits all you will need is a dead centre, a live centre and a turning tool, if you are skilled with a skew then that's the one I would choose otherwise you would probably be better off with a roughing gouge, but you will also need the means to sharpen it. You will also need drill bits to suit the pen kits you use.

Peter

 

[Allan]

Cheers for the info, any suggestions of where is the best place to buy kits?

 

[Buckeye]

If you look in the Seller Forums below you will find 4 suppliers who sell pen kits, some of them offer a Forum discount so have a read.

Peter

 

[woodhacker]

try this one Allan
- CubeCart
I started with sticks as well and went on to the lathe not that far back. There are some tutorials on this site if you look up at the top
of the page.
Peter

 

[Phil Dart]

Hi Allan

Welcome to the forum. Whereabouts are you in the Highlands? If you're anywhere near, you're welcome to give me a shout if I can help set you on the right path.

 

[bigbob]

If you are near Inverness Dave at Macgreggor Industrial supplies will help you out re kits lathe and blanks if nearer Ft William then Phil above is your man.

 

[bigbob]

If you are near Inverness Dave at Macgreggor Industrial supplies will help you out re kits lathe and blanks if nearer Ft William then Phil above is your man.

 

[donwatson]

Welcome Allan

 

[Doug]

Hi Allan & welcome to the forum :waver:

 

[Penpal]

Welcome Allan from the very cold Canberra go for Phil up your way or make it happen. I look forward to seeing the work you have done with the sticks etc.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

G'Day Allan.

Welcome to the forum from the Cold, Dry Tennant in the centre of Aust.

Cheers,
Mark.