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Post by sachbvn on Jan 8, 2010 20:50:04 GMT -6
Just ordered a few pen kits, some black TN bottle stoppers, a couple blanks to try out, and most importantly a centering vice and a pen press!!  Both of which I was strongly hesitating on.... mainly because it was like "ugh.... are they really worth the money...." but - this should make drilling the blanks as simple as could be, no "ifs ands or butts" about being centerned - and also it should make using my barrel trimmer in my DP easy..... the pen press...well - I figured I really oughtta have one considering the number of pens I've been making lately. Hopefully I have some sales at the next show to help make up for the costs. Zac |
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Post by TDHofstetter on Jan 9, 2010 0:09:51 GMT -6
One of these days I should make another pen press like the one I built for Limey; it wasn't in his estate sale, so somebody else found a use for it somewhere. A guy can press just so many pens with a drill press or lathe tailstock before he decides a true lever action is REALLY HANDY. You'll LIKE using that pen press - you get a much better feel of things, and can tell instantly if something's cocked a little & binding.
Next ya need to make up a penner's "hairbrush" stand, a plate of wood (scrap is fine) with about sixteen 3/16" x 3-1/2" dowels sticking up from the surface.
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Doug B
WoW Member
[b]Rescued Firewood[/b]
Posts: 1,938
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Post by Doug B on Jan 9, 2010 0:55:08 GMT -6
A pen blank vise is very important. But, you can do it on the cheap like I did after reading the following from New Woodworker (Tom Hintz). I got a cheap drill press vise from Harbor Freight and replaced the metal faces with Maple ones. That has been working for me for close to 3 years now. Here is his write-up on how to make your own cheap pen drilling vise: www.newwoodworker.com/turning/mkdrilvicejaws.html |
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Post by maverick31 on Jan 10, 2010 22:03:32 GMT -6
thanks for the link doug, I will be modying my current vice when I get a chance
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Post by maxwellsmart007 on Jan 10, 2010 23:50:19 GMT -6
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Post by TDHofstetter on Jan 11, 2010 0:20:21 GMT -6
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Post by maxwellsmart007 on Jan 11, 2010 9:53:11 GMT -6
I bought the pen press at first, Tim, but it seemed flimsy to me...and I hate unitaskers... So the arbor press seemed like a good idea! I glued a scrap of corian on the press so that it doesn't mar the finish of the plating, and it's a wonderful tool! Mind you, I've only used it for pens so far - but if I ever need it for something else, it'll be ready!  |
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