Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Woodworking). This thread is read-only.
Never really been a woodworking guy, but decided I needed a new hobby. As you probably have seen in my previous posts, I’ve setup a pretty nice little shop. Starting to churn out some good looking pens. Other items soon to follow. Most important , it’s keeping me busy and relaxed at the same time ……..
Good, if it’s not relaxing that would defeat the the very purpose of the hobby lol
For never being a woodworking kind of guy, you obviously catch on quickly. Nice looking pens.
The pens look good!!
I’ve turned some pens. They are fun to do!!
Great job
Thanks !! It’s been fun … Sure does kill some time
Right On! Pens look great!
Awesome job Buddy. I can’t wait to get my new shop up in running and turn some again!
You’re gonna be a busy man Chris, however we do expect a play by play of that new shop ….lol
Thanks guys !!! In the middle of turning one right now for my dad (84)… So he can do his puzzles in style ….
Nice work bro! A lathe is next on my list after a table saw.
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What lathe did you buy? And are you using carbide turning tools, or regular ones, that need constant sharpening?
It’s a house brand lathe from penn state industries. 10″ with extension length available up to 36″ long.
using regular tools, picked up a rikon low speed grinder and wolverine jig for sharpening, works good . Maybe some carbide tools in the future
Very Cool. Nice job.
Nothing like some shop time to get the blood flowing. Nice job
Thanks Guys
Nice work Foneguy. I got a lathe a few years ago and wasn’t sure how much I would use or enjoy it. It is really nice to be able to take a piece of wood and have something useful and beautiful completed in anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours. My biggest concern was making and keeping my tools sharp. Now that is handled, I find turning a joy, but its not where I spend a lot of my time. I hope to dive back into it again this winter. Keep up the great work and keep sharing your projects.
Nice workmanship! I got into making pens a few months ago because I had to down size my tools for apartment living in the big city. Pens are fun to make and everyone in the family loves them as gifts. I also picked up a inexpensive laser engraver and made the pens more personal. Now try your hand at small bowls, toy tops and ring boxes for variety. I included a few pics of my latest projects, all done with a cheap mini lathe. Hope you guy’s like them.
metaljunkie wrote:
17 hours ago, metaljunkie said:Nice workmanship! I got into making pens a few months ago because I had to down size my tools for apartment living in the big city. Pens are fun to make and everyone in the family loves them as gifts. I also picked up a inexpensive laser engraver and made the pens more personal. Now try your hand at small bowls, toy tops and ring boxes for variety. I included a few pics of my latest projects, all done with a cheap mini lathe. Hope you guy’s like them.
Very nice ……
more info on laser engraver please …..
Foneguy wrote:
On 9/16/2016 at 7:50 PM, Foneguy said:it’s keeping me busy and relaxed at the same time ……..
awesome job Foneguy…..
just remember……… without wood it’s just working……..
I picked up the laser engraver from Amazon, for about $110.00. It was a pain setting up the software, but does a good job on small items like pens, and small boxes. I included a picture of a pen I made for my daughter so you can get an idea of the engraving ability.
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metaljunkie wrote:
On 10/13/2016 at 4:38 PM, metaljunkie said:Nice workmanship! I got into making pens a few months ago because I had to down size my tools for apartment living in the big city. Pens are fun to make and everyone in the family loves them as gifts. I also picked up a inexpensive laser engraver and made the pens more personal. Now try your hand at small bowls, toy tops and ring boxes for variety. I included a few pics of my latest projects, all done with a cheap mini lathe. Hope you guy’s like them.
Wow how did you turn those flowers!??
Very cool projects I like the laser engraving too
Thanks
Turning flowers is a trade secret, ha ha.
WOW, I was just browsing lathe tool sharpeners, those things cost almost twice the price of a mini-lathe, then you can spend another $400 just for the jig system to go with that $400 sharpener.
I’ve been thinking of getting one of these and a new grinder. Way cheaper.
http://www.woodcraft.com/product/125676/oneway-wolverine-grinding-jig.aspx
ChrisK wrote:
6 hours ago, ChrisK said:I’ve been thinking of getting one of these and a new grinder. Way cheaper.
http://www.woodcraft.com/product/125676/oneway-wolverine-grinding-jig.aspx
Oh cool! Thank You for sharing, I see One-Way has some other jigs also, way cheaper sharping this way. Even if one was to buy CBN wheel to put on the grinder.
This is what I was originally looking at – https://www.amazon.com/TORMEK-T-4-Magnum-Package-Sharpening/dp/B00NO4QSFA
WigWagWorkshop wrote:
49 minutes ago, WigWagWorkshop said:
Oh cool! Thank You for sharing, I see One-Way has some other jigs also, way cheaper sharping this way. Even if one was to buy CBN wheel to put on the grinder.
This is what I was originally looking at – https://www.amazon.com/TORMEK-T-4-Magnum-Package-Sharpening/dp/B00NO4QSFA
Yeah when I took my turning class last winter the guy teaching had one in the shop. He swore by it. Also had a really expensiveness 8″ grinder by the the Rikon is supposed to be really good too!
I looked into several jig systems for sharpening wood turning tools and they are all pretty expensive in my mind. I watched a lot of videos of free hand sharpening and knowing my way around a bench grinder and file I just started learning by trial and error. The main thing is never let the heat build up to a point where the tip looses its temper, get the right angle and maintain the consistency. I made several mistakes in the beginning and still do at times, but have gotten better over the months. A buddy of mine bought an expensive jig and regretted it later, not because of how it performed, but that he spent so much on a simple tool. He told me I could borrow his and make the parts myself to save the money. I never took him up on the offer after I started sharpening free hand. Most of the time I can touch my gouges up with a few licks from a good file. They seem to do pretty good like that. Not saying I don’t need a jig, but that is a lot of money for a few pieces of metal that still requires a certain amount of skill to get a sharp tool.
ChrisK wrote:
11 hours ago, ChrisK said:I’ve been thinking of getting one of these and a new grinder. Way cheaper.
http://www.woodcraft.com/product/125676/oneway-wolverine-grinding-jig.aspx
That’s what I got from woodcraft , along with a Rikon lol speed grinder … works great