I took a pen turning class today and now I REALLY want to turn more stuff. My fiance is also really interested in pen making and I am so thrilled to have a possible hobby to do together. I want to turn small objects, especially pens... so I don't need a huge lathe.
The problem is that I live in a small apartment. I have the perfect place to set up a lathe, but I do not have room for a drill press, bandsaw, or any other large power tools. Does anyone else here have a similar limitation who can give me some tips?
I imagine for pen making I can use a coping saw to cut blanks. As for the drill press, my instructor briefly mentioned that there is something you can attach to a lathe to drill out the pens. I didn't take note of it unfortunately. Does anyone know what he was talking about? He said it would cost me about another $250 get that, which I can use in place of a drill press.
Also I need to know what generally comes with a lathe and what I would need to buy to make pens? What is the name of that rod with the metal bushings that you turn the pen on? Also what is that thing called that presses the parts of the pen together (pen press? haha).
Is this too ambitious for my small space?