Watching the discussions and posted projects, it seems most of our turners produce pens. For myself, I have only made a few pens. When first starting out, it was surprising to see how expensive some of the "accessories" were and, not knowing how many pens were in my future, I was not sure if spending that amount of money was wise. 

Looking over the various “tools†required for pen making, it was obvious some purchases were no-brainers- end mills, drill bits, mandrel- but it was difficult to justify the price of the pen press. I know, I am cheap frugal.

A quick Internet search came up with shop made design from readily available materials. I cannot take credit for the design. It is from the young man who has the “Pens For College†site.

My press-

The "stop block" is clamped to the press at the desired location. The clamp also holds the press to the bench

Leverage action. The pins are 16d nails. Notice the fine finish work.

Back end.

The "plunger" pad and the stop block are made from a piece of tapping block for laminate floor installation.

So far the press has worked flawlessly, although it has probably assembled fewer than 15 pens.

This week the monthly newsletter, from Woodturning Online, is available here. There is a cool shop made Laser guide for hollow turning project. Check it out!

Hope to see some neat projects this week!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

The one at Woodcraft is up to $49.

Charles Nicholls said:

I happen to be working on a Gatsby/sierra pen now, I'll show it later, but I only wish i had the ability to make something like this here, because you are right, the commercial ones are expensive for what you get. I bought mine about 2 years ago and it was 39.95 then. Haven't checked the price lately though.

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
http://www.nichollswoodworks.com
This website is new so it doesn't have much to it yet but you are welcome to take a look

Now that is cool Lew! Thanks for posting. Now that is your press? the design from Pens for College but your press that you built? Pretty cool Lew.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Yes, this is the one I made.

John Morris said:

Now that is cool Lew! Thanks for posting. Now that is your press? the design from Pens for College but your press that you built? Pretty cool Lew.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

That is a very neat press. I must say when I stepped into the world of pen making I pressed the first few together with a small Irwin clamp. I decided I needed the press and sold enough pens to spend the nearly 50.00 for the press.

I guess I should have looked around and built one of these. It has everything that you need.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Now that is Yankee ingenuity!  Why buy when you can build Lew!

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Ron Dudelston
Site Host


Above and Beyond WoodWorks

Thanks for all the kind words!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!