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Post by mapleman on Nov 10, 2009 23:47:20 GMT -6
i just bought a bunch of stuff to start turning pens... i have never turned one. but i have recently gotten the turning bug again (not that i have touched the lathe recently) but i want to turn again -- and pens should be a shorter time investment with a nice return... i went to Woodturningz and bought a basic set to get me going. i will drill my own wood. when you make shell casing pens --- do you buy a kit specifically for that or do you use any kit and just grab a shell? i have a bunch of .308 and .30-'06 casings that i would love to use for pens, if'n i can... i don't know anyone who reloads anymore so i have just been stockpiling them... i doubt i will get my new toys by the weekend -- but hopefullyone night next week (aside from the three nights i have court) maybe i can get near the lathe... I cannot wait. Another new frontier to be busted. further down the vortex if go!!! i have already spent several thou on various lathes, tools, chucks, etc etc etc... i am trying to keep my expenditures on pens low, for now. my only "splurge" i think was a pen mill. i did get some nice looking kits tho --- i hope i do not ruin them...  that is my normal procedure... okay - bedtime... john |
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Doug B
WoW Member
[b]Rescued Firewood[/b]
Posts: 1,938
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Post by Doug B on Nov 11, 2009 0:31:11 GMT -6
John, Many turners make their own shell casing pens, but I had a hard time getting one that I was happy with. The hard part for me was getting a transmission installed properly. I don't have any experience soldering and glue just did not seem like it would hold good enough, so I never got one done. When PSI offered their "Cartridge pen" kit I was very happy. For the price, they are well worth it, and make a very nice pen. An easy pen to turn too since they use a single barrel and the bushings are interchangeable. They are a little harder to assemble, and the translated instructions are not the best. But, I would highly recommend them for a new pen turner. Check them out here www.woodturningz.com/Bullet_Pen_Kits.aspxPKCP2400 is the gold finish and PKCP2410 is the chrome finish. I like them both and you can exchange the nibs between the 2 kits easily for a little different look. Congrats! Most folks enjoy making pens and they are very rewarding and easy and economical to make. |
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Post by Ruffnek on Nov 11, 2009 5:47:33 GMT -6
I haven't tried the kits Doug suggested but I have made a few of the cartridge pens using 30-06 casings. I glued in some of the tubes and soldered in some others.
The slimline kits work with the cartridges if you are using your own casings. I bought a bundle of 10" long 7mm tubes, too, to cut the bottom tubes to the correct lengtht o fit the cartridge.
There are some tutorials on the net on how to craft a cartridge pen. You can do it.
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Post by randyprivett on Nov 11, 2009 6:57:16 GMT -6
Welcome back my friend.
Randy
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Post by TDHofstetter on Nov 11, 2009 9:38:17 GMT -6
Heck... if I had the right-sized dies, I'd offer to reload some o' them brass for ya... Can't speak for the ca'tridge pens, though... never did one. |
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Post by mapleman on Nov 11, 2009 21:09:32 GMT -6
Doug, thanks for the tips. can you buy one of those kits for Woodturningz and substitute a casing? Basically, what I am asking is do they simply make a 308 casing in chrome? Or is there more to it? Cody, OK - I am a complete idiot. I just figured out that you were you. DOH! DUH! DUMMY! WOW I am slow ont he uptake. Sorry Cody. I kept seeing Ruffnek reply to things and I thought, oh cool, sounds like a good guy. Never put 2+2 together... But now I did - answer is 7.456. ;D I ordered a couple extra tubes for mistakes --- so maybe i will take a shot (pun intended) and try to CA or epoxy a tub into a casing. then just drill a through hole on the firing pin end... thanks Cody. Randy -- thanks - it is good to be back. Timmer, thanks for offer --- probably violates so law to transport ammo privately across state lines ;D ;D ;D ;D thanks guys, john |
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Post by TDHofstetter on Nov 11, 2009 21:13:23 GMT -6
We could stand on opposite sides of Lake Champlain & you could toss 'em to me. I'd reload 'em & toss 'em back.  |
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Doug B
WoW Member
[b]Rescued Firewood[/b]
Posts: 1,938
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Post by Doug B on Nov 11, 2009 22:52:52 GMT -6
Doug, thanks for the tips. can you buy one of those kits for Woodturningz and substitute a casing? Basically, what I am asking is do they simply make a 308 casing in chrome? Or is there more to it? john Yes, with some modifications. I used a 30-06 shell casing and substituted it in the kit to see if it could be done. Basically, you have to be able to cut off both ends of the casing to get the correct size for the kit to work. The neck was slightly too long, and of course the rim has to be cut off the other end. Measure carefully and cut it square and it will work. The kit parts fit perfectly into the modified shell casing. You will want the gold kit to do this because the chrome parts would look odd with the brass casing. I have a pic of the pen kit components (chrome finish) that shows how a shell casing could be used in place of that one component. Just make the casing match the kit component and it works. I thought I had a pic of the pen I made using a 30-06 casing, but I can't seem to find it. The real casing is not as shiny as the pen kit parts, but it matched the kit pretty well after I shined the casing up using my Beall buffer. I imagine that any 30 caliber shell will work if it can be made to match the size of that one component.  Ok, I decided that a pic is worth 1k words, so here is a pic of two pens, one on the left is using all kit components, on the right is the one I made using a 30-06 casing. In front of them are both a 30-06 casing and the corresponding kit part in front of it.  |
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Post by mapleman on Nov 12, 2009 21:40:26 GMT -6
Hey Tim, We would have to throw really hard - now that the Crown Pt bridge is closed down... Funny thing is that it actually has a higher safety rating than another bridge in the same district that is still open to traffic, albeit one lane only... Doug THANK YOU! that was great - in depth and clear. i will keep that all on file for when i get started... just talked to a friend of mine today who has a bunch of spike horns over the years that he has no use for (no big 8-pters tho ) that he will give me. only fair that i give him a pen back - if i make a good one. I want to make four antler and cartridge pens - for the four guys who I have hunted with many times over the years (I am picky about who I will hunt with ). thanks again Doug. john |
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Doug B
WoW Member
[b]Rescued Firewood[/b]
Posts: 1,938
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Post by Doug B on Nov 12, 2009 22:19:34 GMT -6
My pleasure John. And you will find that, at least to a point, the smaller the antler, the better for making pens with. The center is pithy and soft and the outer portion is the ivory looking part. Both are interesting and appealing, but to me the ivory look is nicer.
I also like to leave a little bit of the "bark" on the turned antler and actually go to great lengths to make sure there will be some left on the turned blank once it is turned to size.
P.S. I know what you mean about being picky about who you hunt with...so am I! There are very few people I go hunting with, most are family, but also a couple of very close friends.
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Post by mapleman on Nov 13, 2009 0:00:16 GMT -6
oooh, thanks for the tip on the antlers... i have never cracked one open - so i am glad for the info.. as for who one hunts with --- i think it makes perfect sense to be picky. i know that the four guys i hunt with are responsible, sober, sportsmen who: a. know how to operate a firearm, b. know what they are shooting at, c. know not to shoot me, and d. have all taught me so much about hunting it is just a pleasure to soak up some more knowledge from them... funny too - age range is quite large - they are 29, 33, 60, 83... FYI - i am 28... the youngest and the least experienced of the bunch... i am glad you have family to hunt with. my father used to hunt when he was a kid - but stopped a long time ago. he likes to help out after the kill, but is not a hunter anymore. and my brother was more into guns than i ever was -- but he has never hunted and prolly never will. so i am left to friends only. i hope my kid(s) want to hunt. but hey, i want them do what they like... it is only natural that one wants our children to emulate ourselves right? woodworking, maple syrup, base ball, hunting/fishing, home remodeler extraordinaire .... john |
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Doug B
WoW Member
[b]Rescued Firewood[/b]
Posts: 1,938
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Post by Doug B on Nov 13, 2009 0:30:30 GMT -6
I hear ya John! My Dad never hunted and my Grandad only hunted before I was around. But my Uncle and cousins all were avid hunters who got me started, and later on both of my brothers and all of their boys enjoy hunting and have made some of the most memorable experiences I have ever had.
LOML also loves to hunt, especially for Elk, and my son is a hunter as well now that he is out of school/sports and now has the time to go hunting. I am still very close to 2 of my cousins and we have had many wonderful hunting trips together. My best friend is also an avid hunter and recently got me into fly fishing too.
Good luck with the antler/cartridge pens...they are very popular with both hunters and military folks. I use one every day to do my crossword puzzle in the daily paper.
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that is my normal procedure... 
