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Pen Jaws

Davew

Apprentice Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2018
Posts
8
Location
Stoke on Trent
First Name
David
Hi
First of all I would like to thank everyone for their advice with regard to choosing a saw for my workshop.
After looking and reading some reviews I have ordered the Record 250 10 inch band saw. I think this will serve my purpose
Being a complete beginner the next thing is, I would like some advice, is It worth purchasing a set of pen jaws for my record power 305 lathe.
I am considering how much more accurate it would be centring the hole in the block and also in facing the ends off. I do have a bench drill and a home made jig.
Your comments would be most welcome
:rolling:
 

Phil Dart

Moderator
Executive Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Posts
5,455
Location
Colebrooke, Devon
First Name
Phil
You will find devotees of both methods David. If ultra accuracy is required the starting point though is perfectly squared and faced blanks, which ever route you go down. I have pen jaws, but most of my output doesn't require accuracy of drilling to that degree, so I tend to use a self centering vice on a pillar drill, just because it's quicker. All other things being taken care of though, and assuming your lathe runs true, there are less variables on a lathe and I think it's fair to say it is a more accurate method than a pillar drill.
 

Lons

Fellow
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Posts
4,753
Location
Northumberland
First Name
Bob
My personal preference David is to drill on the lathe despite having a good quality Meddings pillar drill as I find it very quick and easy, I have the jaws permanently set up on my little lathe which helps though so different if you have to set up specially unless you drill in batches.

I think the jaws were around £30 but there are some easy to make pen jaw instructions on the internet using aluminium angle if you want to have a go without spending money.
 

Dalboy

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Posts
7,679
Location
Kent
First Name
Derek
I personally use the pillar drill and make sure that the blank is set correctly for the bit to travel through at the required angle in the case of pen blanks straight through does not take long from one blank to the next.

If you feel the need to drill on the lathe THESE jaws or similar would be better as they can be used for a lot more things. I know they cast a bit more but I find they have so many uses where the dedicated pen blank jaws are a little more restrictive
 

Bucks

Fellow
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Posts
1,425
Location
North Yorkshire
First Name
Paul
When I was was drilling Pens in bulk (a dozen or two at a time which is bulk for me lol) I used the drill press & that worked perfectly fine. But nowadays I’m only making the odd pen here & there so use the pen jaws on the lathe which I find a lot easier & more accurate (I’m lucky & have two lathes, so most of the time leave the pen jaws on one of them, so it’s always set up ready)
 

ravinsixties

Apprentice Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2014
Posts
2
Location
Wolverhampton
First Name
Mike
Hi David and all members. My first post! I started off by buying a pen blank vice an drill press but was not very good at using, probably cos I'm useless lol! Bought ANOTHER Pen Blank Vice , but then decided to try using the Lathe method! Much Better an Accurate. Now I have another item gathering dust in my shed lol! I had a bad habit of buying new gadgets which usually end up somewhere in my shed with cobwebs all over them. Mebbe one day I'll get round to sorting them an sell on ebay or wherever I have two lathes, main one is Record CL4 which I love, an the other is a smaller Record lathe on bench which I use just for drilling blanks. Definitely the Best way for accurate holes. I'm Not a good turner by a million miles, despite a few years" playing" at turning, but Love trying!!!
 

21William

Fellow
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
1,618
Location
Dorset
First Name
William
You don’t need Pen jaws. Carefully mark both ends of the blank and turn it between centres. Once it’s round mount it in the standard jaws for drilling.
 

Lons

Fellow
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Posts
4,753
Location
Northumberland
First Name
Bob
I seriously doubt the word "need" is often important in turning pens William, most "needs" can easily be justified at the time by blurring the definition between need and want. :funny:
 

Dalboy

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Posts
7,679
Location
Kent
First Name
Derek
I seriously doubt the word "need" is often important in turning pens William, most "needs" can easily be justified at the time by blurring the definition between need and want. :funny:

I don't need a bigger shed I want a bigger shed:thinks::thinks::thinks:
 

Bigblackdog

Registered
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
839
Location
Leeds
First Name
Mark
the advantage of pen jaws over pin jaws is that pen jaws will hold a rectangular blank more easily. I drill on the lathe, using pin jaws. I have just treated myself to some pen jaws but not yet fitted them. too cold to turn at the moment.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
I have a dedicated chuck with integral pen jaws for smaller than pens turning. I use a large drill press and independant X and Y adjustment and especially with home cut blanks always line up the blank using a small square. Rapid and accurate ,I like the feel you get from hand control with the self return of the drill press. It is fast and efficient. For dead ,critical accuracy I use my metal lathe. My prismatic jaws on the drill press allow full movement and grasp in any direction.

Peter.
 

McKenzie Penworks

Apprentice Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2018
Posts
37
Location
Waxhaw, NC
First Name
Tim
I have a drill press and had used it for years when making my pens. Needed some ideas for Christmas a while back for my family and I put the pen jaws on the list as something that might be nice to have. Turns out, I'm very glad I got them. One thing that is problematic when using only a drill press is drilling round stock. Having the jaws allows me to get perfectly centered holes every time with very minimal fuss. It may take a few seconds longer than putting something in the drill press but I think it ends up being mostly the same because I'm not fretting about getting the stock perfectly straight in my vice on the drill press.

Now... I'm going to be a little biased here but... I happen to know there's a big box of blanks headed over in that direction and they are all round stock. So... if you have any interest in turning blanks like the ones pictured here as well as things like ebonite, it might make sense to go ahead and get the jaws. :whistling:
 

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Pastor of Muppets

Full Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2017
Posts
279
Location
Oxford (ish)
First Name
Andy
I have a drill press and had used it for years when making my pens. Needed some ideas for Christmas a while back for my family and I put the pen jaws on the list as something that might be nice to have. Turns out, I'm very glad I got them. One thing that is problematic when using only a drill press is drilling round stock. Having the jaws allows me to get perfectly centered holes every time with very minimal fuss. It may take a few seconds longer than putting something in the drill press but I think it ends up being mostly the same because I'm not fretting about getting the stock perfectly straight in my vice on the drill press.

Now... I'm going to be a little biased here but... I happen to know there's a big box of blanks headed over in that direction and they are all round stock. So... if you have any interest in turning blanks like the ones pictured here as well as things like ebonite, it might make sense to go ahead and get the jaws. :whistling:

oooh that pictures really shows off the sparkles!
 
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