Two pens and a first!

[John Torchick]

I turned a pen this morning for our chapter meeting this coming Tuesday. I asked the Mrs. if she wanted to try turning. She had mentioned this a while back but I didn't press the issue. She did quite well and did most of the turning herself. I fine tuned it to final diameter and she finished it with CA. One pen is a satin with maple blank. The finish is two coats of black Sharpie, wiped with acetone to even out the color and eight coats of thin CA. Her pen is flame box elder and a copper Slimline. There was a glitch in the grain- sort of a scratch but not her fault. Two coats of medium CA and six coats of thin CA made it look good. Taking both to the meeting. BTW, she is finishing a left-to-right cut and not starting at the end as it looks. Photos attached.

 

[Dean Center]

Even suited up, SWMBO is not as scary as you have led us to believe. Nice for you to be sharing an enjoyable pastime with her. Plus, if she takes to it, you'll need a second lathe--maybe a Robust!

 

[Bobby Smith]

They look good! Good to see the wife enjoys your hobby also. Btw, I just realized you're on the IAP site also. Lol

 

[John Torchick]

Dean, looked at the Robust line, the Sweet 16. I don't own oil wells or railroads and the wife says I'm next to get a job if I want more "big boy toys."
Bobby, my wife keeps asking when I'm going to get a cheap hobby. Haven't found one yet. This was my wife's first turning. If she show any interest, I'll see if she would want to take the penturning class at Woodcraft. My grandson and I took the class at different times. Bill LaRoque is the instructor. I had some questions but Bill has taught the class so many times, he anticipates them and answers them in a clear manner, easy to understand plus demonstrates the technique to the class.

 

[hockenbery]

when I'm going to get a cheap hobby.

You may be surprised ina year or so like I was.

I got lucky there weren’t a lot of people turning when I got serious about it.
The club got me started in a group Christmas show. The light came on that people would pay me to get better.
I was fortunate that I could use my sales to buy tools.
While you can make money hustling golf all my friends got friendly jealous of me having a hobby I could make money at while they poured money into greens fees and boat slips.

Woodturning bought me a ONEWAY 2436, ONEWAY 1018, a bandsaw, a chainsaw, and a bunch of stuff. But more than that it introduced me to lots of great friends.

 

[John Torchick]

hb, well said. I really don't anticipate making a lot of $$$ at this. But...I won't turn down any $$$. I'm going to make up some of the gun-type pens and see what I can drum up at the local gun club.

 

[Bobby Smith]

hb, well said. I really don't anticipate making a lot of $$$ at this. But...I won't turn down any $$$. I'm going to make up some of the gun-type pens and see what I can drum up at the local gun club.

I hear ya John! I'm just turning for the fun of it. I have other hobbies and stuff that keep me busy, besides work, but I really wasn't looking to make any money off anything. With that said, a contractor at my wifes work wants to buy one of my bolt action pens. He says he'll give me $50 for it. heck ya!! Can't turn that down. Lol

 

[hockenbery]

That’s the way it starts you give a freind a gift they show it to people who start calling.

 

[John Torchick]

Bobby, take the money before he changes his mind. Good sale. Word of mouth is the best advertising. I sold four lever action pens for Christmas presents. Customer had one on his desk, people were constantly playing with the lever.
Sign in a business owner's office- This is a non-profit organization. This wasn't our original plan.

 

[John Torchick]

Bobby, found you on the IAP website. Why don't we get a few more hobbies?

 

[robo hippy]

I always considered my self a 'semi pro' which means I didn't make a living at it, but made enough to support my hobby in style..... You may be wet up to your ankles now....

robo hippy

 

[Gary Beasley]

You may be wet up to your ankles now....

robo hippy

Hopefully not headfirst!

 

[Bobby Smith]

Bobby, found you on the IAP website. Why don't we get a few more hobbies?

I hear ya john. Just a couple of many.