Tin Falcon
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In the now-who-planing-next-year-christmas thread I was asked for more details on making pen and pencil sets in the home shop, so here is some info.
Pen turning is how I got started in model engineering. I was trained By the USAF as a machinist and welder. I knew I eventually wanted to build model engines.I also wanted to try making pen and pencil sets. For me it was a good move as the wholesale value of the P&P sets more than covered my initial investment in a mini lathe, a belt sander, arbor press, and a band saw. I purchased pen supplies and a few pieces of tooling just for pens.
First of all no I do not have photos of my set ups but I can take some if needed.
Pen turning is a popular hobby/business in and of itself and there is lots of info on the net.
Most suppliers will help you get started, buying there product of course.
Penn state offers a free video dvd:pennstate DVD
first you will need pen kits :
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/pen-kits.html
http://www.woodcraft.com/search2/search.aspx?query=pen%20kit
http://woodworking.rockler.com/search?w=pen%20kits
The selection is wide IMHO start simple. I use the american slimline cross style kits.
you will need blanks these can be purchased or made. the blank size size will depend on the kit(s) you choose. I cut mine on my band saw from wood or corian. the choice here is vast.many wood species. many colors of corian and similar solid surface material as well as resin etc etc. 3/4 x 3/4 x 2 1/2 will cover most applications. I cut the corian to 1/2 x 1/2 x 2-1/2 for the slim line.
Blanks need to be drilled a brad point bit is good for wood a parabolic bit from MSC is good for corian. the slim line tubes are 7mm so that is the size bit needed. other kits larger hole. this size is driven by the tube size of the pen kit. Drill long enough to fit the pen tube not all the way through. then cut to length. I suggest making or buying a drilling jig. and drilling on a drill press. . A 4 jaw on a lathe would work as well.
The next step is gluing the brass pen tube to the blank. gel CA or epoxy works here I tend towards the epoxy.
Clean, rough up the brass with scotch bright this will insure good bonding.
the excess glue will need to be cleaned from the tube and the ends of the blank cleaned and trimmed . a pen mill tool aka tube cleaner trimmer works well.(a purchased item) A belt sander can also be used to trim away excess blank material.
Once the the blank is secured to the tube the inside of the tube clean and the ends trim to size. The pair of blanks (you need two for a pen or pencil ) can be mounted on a mandrel. with bushings. the bushings are simply spacers . A mandrel and bushings are easy to make for a home machinist. or of course any pen supply company will sell you one for a price and this basic tool is often a part of a starter kit.
I made my own mandrel simply a piece of 1/4 in drill rod threaded on one end the end center drilled for a live center and the other end held in a chuck. I use my mini lathe to turn rather than a mini wood turning lathe.
the blanks are then turned down and polished on the lathe. if using wood that is finished on the lathe french polish works well here. make your own 1 part denatured alchohol,1 part shelac (I prefer amber) and 1 part linseed oil.
sand and then friction polish.
corian wet sand to 600 then auto polish, then plastic polish.
make sure the ends of your newly machines tubes are smooth to a lady's touch.
The pen (or pencil can now be assembled a simple press fit . there are tools for this . I use a small arbor press fitted with plastic to prevent damage to parts. follow kit instructions for how deep to press the pen inards too deep and you are stuck hard to get out. also gentle even pressure. cracks can be repaired but it takes time.
You will also likely need some sort of packaging to finish off the gift or product. again available from the pen kit supplier of your choice.
I will be glad to answer questions an elaborate if need. You should be able to do a P & P set in an hour or so but like anything else in the shop too many variable too give an exact answer. also you will likely work in batches. cut blanks,drill blanks, trim blanks, glue, let the glue dry, clean , then turn a few pieces or sets then assemble. Not something you do one piece start to finish then start another. Hope this helps .
Tin
Pen turning is how I got started in model engineering. I was trained By the USAF as a machinist and welder. I knew I eventually wanted to build model engines.I also wanted to try making pen and pencil sets. For me it was a good move as the wholesale value of the P&P sets more than covered my initial investment in a mini lathe, a belt sander, arbor press, and a band saw. I purchased pen supplies and a few pieces of tooling just for pens.
First of all no I do not have photos of my set ups but I can take some if needed.
Pen turning is a popular hobby/business in and of itself and there is lots of info on the net.
Most suppliers will help you get started, buying there product of course.
Penn state offers a free video dvd:pennstate DVD
first you will need pen kits :
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/pen-kits.html
http://www.woodcraft.com/search2/search.aspx?query=pen%20kit
http://woodworking.rockler.com/search?w=pen%20kits
The selection is wide IMHO start simple. I use the american slimline cross style kits.
you will need blanks these can be purchased or made. the blank size size will depend on the kit(s) you choose. I cut mine on my band saw from wood or corian. the choice here is vast.many wood species. many colors of corian and similar solid surface material as well as resin etc etc. 3/4 x 3/4 x 2 1/2 will cover most applications. I cut the corian to 1/2 x 1/2 x 2-1/2 for the slim line.
Blanks need to be drilled a brad point bit is good for wood a parabolic bit from MSC is good for corian. the slim line tubes are 7mm so that is the size bit needed. other kits larger hole. this size is driven by the tube size of the pen kit. Drill long enough to fit the pen tube not all the way through. then cut to length. I suggest making or buying a drilling jig. and drilling on a drill press. . A 4 jaw on a lathe would work as well.
The next step is gluing the brass pen tube to the blank. gel CA or epoxy works here I tend towards the epoxy.
Clean, rough up the brass with scotch bright this will insure good bonding.
the excess glue will need to be cleaned from the tube and the ends of the blank cleaned and trimmed . a pen mill tool aka tube cleaner trimmer works well.(a purchased item) A belt sander can also be used to trim away excess blank material.
Once the the blank is secured to the tube the inside of the tube clean and the ends trim to size. The pair of blanks (you need two for a pen or pencil ) can be mounted on a mandrel. with bushings. the bushings are simply spacers . A mandrel and bushings are easy to make for a home machinist. or of course any pen supply company will sell you one for a price and this basic tool is often a part of a starter kit.
I made my own mandrel simply a piece of 1/4 in drill rod threaded on one end the end center drilled for a live center and the other end held in a chuck. I use my mini lathe to turn rather than a mini wood turning lathe.
the blanks are then turned down and polished on the lathe. if using wood that is finished on the lathe french polish works well here. make your own 1 part denatured alchohol,1 part shelac (I prefer amber) and 1 part linseed oil.
sand and then friction polish.
corian wet sand to 600 then auto polish, then plastic polish.
make sure the ends of your newly machines tubes are smooth to a lady's touch.
The pen (or pencil can now be assembled a simple press fit . there are tools for this . I use a small arbor press fitted with plastic to prevent damage to parts. follow kit instructions for how deep to press the pen inards too deep and you are stuck hard to get out. also gentle even pressure. cracks can be repaired but it takes time.
You will also likely need some sort of packaging to finish off the gift or product. again available from the pen kit supplier of your choice.
I will be glad to answer questions an elaborate if need. You should be able to do a P & P set in an hour or so but like anything else in the shop too many variable too give an exact answer. also you will likely work in batches. cut blanks,drill blanks, trim blanks, glue, let the glue dry, clean , then turn a few pieces or sets then assemble. Not something you do one piece start to finish then start another. Hope this helps .
Tin
