Benjamin T. Kindt" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I'm about to make the plunge into the pen turning hobby, and I thought
I'd post my initial shopping list here to get some feedback. Am I
going overboard? Am I forgetting anything important?

Many thanks in advance. Here's my list:

JET 708351VS/JML-1014VS Variable Speed Mini Lathe, $299 (plus $25 off
at Amazon this month). I'm not sure if VS is that important, but I
thought I'd go for it rather than regretting not getting it later.

The VS IS important. I have the same lathe, but pre-VS and I have been
thinking real hard about trying to the one I have and get the VS one. I
have the extension bed, and when doing spindle turning, bowls, etc. you
often change the speed quite frequently. So, you are doing the right thing.



JET JML-S Adjustable Mini Lathe Stand, $119.99. I don't yet have a
good workbench, so this seems like it would work well.


I have the stand and it is definitely a good investment. That said, I am
planning to build a really nice cabinet stand, with loads of storage for
lathe related items. Of all the tools I own, the lathe seems to require
more specialized items than anything else and I find it a pain to keep track
of everything when they are mixed with my other tools. Things like pen
mandrels, pen blanks, turning finishes, etc. etc., not to mention the tools.
So, for starters the stand is good, but you might find yourself doing what
I'm going to do sometime in the future.

JET 709160 3-Piece Pen Turning Chisel Set, $79.99

I can't speak directly about this turning set, but I agree with Bruce - it
seems overpriced. Of the ones he listed, I'd go with the Sorby pen turning
set. For myself, I bought individual tools rather than a set and think that
was a good way for myself. I'm interested in turning furniture parts, not
just pens, so my needs might be a little different than yours. So far, I
haven't found the need for the really small tools that some of these "pen"
sets seem to be made up with. I am still a beginning beginner on the lathe,
so I don't have a lot of experience to go on. From what I've seen, once you
really get bit by the turning bug you will end up with dozens of tools, so
having the small ones won't be a bad thing hehe.


Mandrel Set #2 MT, Penn State, $15.70

EEE-Ultra Shine Paste Wax, Penn State, $14.35

Shellawax Cream, 300ml Jar, Penn State, $20.55

4 Grit Sandpaper set, Penn State, $19.95

Plus wood blanks and pen kits. I figure I'll start with pre-drilled
blanks so as to save on the cost of a drill press. I have access to a
bandsaw if needed as well.

The rest of your products are probably as good as any. I haven't been too
impressed with Penn States pen kits myself - some have been o.k. but some
have been really cheaply made. I've found the following:
http://www.packardwoodworks.com/
to be a great place to find really good turning supplies.

Finally, you're going to have to think about sharpening your tools. I
didn't even think about that when I started into the lathe 'craze' and
quickly saw the error of my ways. I tried to use the tools straight out of
the box - NOT GOOD! Sure, you could turn a pen, but it wasn't really
effortless. I took a pen-making class and the gouge's the teacher handed
out were so sharp it was amazing. And boy, what a difference. So, I bought
a grinder and the Wolverine sharpening system, and a slow speed buffer and
some books! Then I had a kid so I've yet to set up the sharpening station
or use the lathe in the last six months hehe.

Hope this info is helpful!

Mike