Most Reliable Pen Kits

[Brian Kent]

I am thinking about making pens for next year's Christmas presents for my staff and family. Because of my particular career, I won't have time later, so I have to do it soon. (As a pastor, Christmas is my business )

1) What, in your experience, is the most reliable mechanism?

2) What is the most reliable mechanism under $10 / kit

3) I know I can make these with or without a mandrel. Which mandrel or "between centers" do you recommend system do you enjoy the most?

Thank you everyone. I have seen threads from 2004 and 2007 with recommendations but I am looking for updates.

Brian

[Dan Hintz]

The $2 pens and the $10 pens pretty much use the same twist mechanism... if you want to be (more) sure they last, you'll want to purchase an upgraded mechanism (some guys on IAP sell them). Other than that, all pens in that range are pretty similar in terms of the other bits/baubles. You get more plating options as you move closer to the $10 range, but that's pretty much it.

For turning between centers, I use a 60 degree dead center in the headstock and a 60 degree live center in the tailstock.

[Grant Wilkinson]

Brian

The cigar kit is pretty much indestructible, I've found. I have both between center bushing and mandrel bushings. I know that between centers is the current recommended way to go, but I've not had a problem using a mandrel, and I've found it to be quicker since I can mount both blanks at the same time. When you are doing quantity, that can make a big difference.

[Steve Doerr]

Brian,
I have found that the most reliable platings are chrome, any titanium and rhodium. I carry a 24K gold cigar in my pocket all the time and I have found that the black on the center band and on the cap will wear off leaving the exposed brass. I have had really good luck with the Penn State Gatsby twist mechanism. Those with the above plating all fall within your price range. It is also a single tube pen so production is much quicker. I also like the twist mechanism on this pen much more than the Woodcraft Wall Street II.
HTH
Steve

[Brian Kent]

Anything wrong with this as a dead center?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1THAZDOWP300U

[Brian Morgan]

For the ladies I always use the slim pens, For men, they seem to prefer the "Comfort Pen" from Pen State. The mechanisms in the twist pen kits should not give any problems.

[Karl Stowe]

I just started turning pens a few months ago. I really like the Veretex, bolt action, any long woods, and slim lines. Slims are my main one now since I have too many people I like to give pens to. Plus they are way easier on the pocket book. I use a mandrel and really like it but have never tried the centers. The mandrel seams like a better way to learn on. There is a lot of mistake pens that are useable and that's why I recommend the slims. I would like to do more Veretex but I already liquidated all my poor husband funds. The only way my Warden will give me funds is for pens to make for birthdays and other special events. I use 4+ coats of CA glue on a shop towel and sand with the pads to 12000 grit. I recommend sanding the unfinished wood from 320 on, carefully, with the plastic finishing bushings so the metal bushings don't impregnate the wood. My earlier pens have that problem of impregnation. That's why there are a lot of give aways. My recent give aways had too much finish sanding and sanded through the finish. Took me a little while to figure out that is what was happening. Let me know if u have any other questions. I am slowly learning to. I can do about 1 pen a night given no learning problems. Which translates to about an hour for one pen and from glueing sleeve to pressing parts.

Karl

[Lee Koepke]

The cigar pens are really good one of my best sellers. I use the Patrizio as my carry pen because it's easier on my pockets. The patrizio is also good sized for either males or females

[Michelle Rich]

I have found the diameter of the comfort sized pens to be quite universal.

[Ken Glass]

Brian,
I have just started turning pens last month and have been using this mandrel:http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PK...l?prodpage=1PK I have bought several types of twist Pen Kits from three (3) suppliers and can't see much difference in the moving parts with the exception of a few Majestic pen kits that cost considerably more at $12 a piece. My guess would be if you are giving them to family and staff you would want a quality pen kit. If you buy a quantity, you can get some nice kits for $10 a piece. A few examples would be the Apex, Sculpted, Crown Jewel, Compson and Cigar just to name a few from PSI. Here is a Majestic with an inlay I just finished for someone. The picture is not good, but you can see the pen details. It has a heavy feel to it and has a quality transmission.

[Brian Kent]

Why do they sell tubes separately? Are these often messed up?

[Dan Hintz]

Why do they sell tubes separately? Are these often messed up?

Yes. But when you're in production mode, having extra tubes means you can assemble a lot of blanks ahead of ordering the kits. Of course, once you get ahead in the tube department, you have all you ever need. Also, you can also create custom-length pens.

[Rich Aldrich]

I like to have extra bodies made so if someone wants a different metal than what I have made, I can press them together quickly and have one complete. I find this especially with the bolt action pens. I have found bolt action pens sell like crazy.

[Brian Kent]

I found a nice way to have some fun with this. A set of 8 that gives me different styles and finishes to try. I ordered the 60° dead center from a store on Amazon.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PK...l?prodpage=1PK

• Two Slimline Twist Pen Kits (24kt Gold and Satin)
• Two Comfort Twist Pen Kits (24kt Gold and Satin)
• Two Designer Twist Pen Kits (24kt Gold and Satin)
• Two Trimline Twist Pen Kits (24kt Gold and Gun Metal)

[Steve Busey]

A great pen, and also the best pencil mechanism I've run across, is the Liberty kits from lazerlinez . com. (He also makes a matching pen kit) But it exceeds your $10 limit... American made SS. Both pen & pencil use standard Sierra type tubes.

I use the between center bushings from JohnnyCNC at penturnersproducts . com. Also American made.