Quality pen kits in the UK.

[EricofPendom]

I have only recently started turning pens and have been using the readily availably kits from the likes of Axminster, Turners Retreat and Craft Supplies. They are nice and seem decent quality but there aren't many styles to choose from and none give that air of exclusivity. Does anyone know of any kit or component suppliers in the UK preferably, but also the USA that are very good quality.

 

Regards

 

Eric...

[gwilki]

I have only recently started turning pens and have been using the readily availably kits from the likes of Axminster, Turners Retreat and Craft Supplies. They are nice and seem decent quality but there aren't many styles to choose from and none give that air of exclusivity. Does anyone know of any kit or component suppliers in the UK preferably, but also the USA that are very good quality.

 

Regards

 

Eric...

 

Eric

I'm no help with UK suppliers. But, in the US, Berea makes good products. There are many distributors, I like Ernie at Bear Tooth Woods. Also, you can order from Canada - my home. Penblanks.ca sells Berea kits and the owners are great people.

 

You may want to look into the IAP. There are many people there from the UK, and they may be able to help you with more local suppliers.

 

[EricofPendom]

I have only recently started turning pens and have been using the readily availably kits from the likes of Axminster, Turners Retreat and Craft Supplies. They are nice and seem decent quality but there aren't many styles to choose from and none give that air of exclusivity. Does anyone know of any kit or component suppliers in the UK preferably, but also the USA that are very good quality.

 

Regards

 

Eric...

 

Eric

I'm no help with UK suppliers. But, in the US, Berea makes good products. There are many distributors, I like Ernie at Bear Tooth Woods. Also, you can order from Canada - my home. Penblanks.ca sells Berea kits and the owners are great people.

 

You may want to look into the IAP. There are many people there from the UK, and they may be able to help you with more local suppliers.

 

 

Hi Grant, thanks for the info, forgive my ignorance but what is IAP?

 

Regards

 

Eric...

[Beechwood]

Eric, I think this is the International Association of Penturners, link to their home page:

 

http://www.penturners.org/

 

 

[gwilki]

Eric: Sorry about that. Arthur hit it. It's the International Association of Penturners at penturners.org.

 

[richardandtracy]

I use 'Turned Pen Supplies' on E-Bay (ebay seller name drew4428). I simply cannot praise him enough for the help he's given me in the last couple of weeks. His pen kits are in widely available styles, but they are cheaper than the common run, and he does a wide range of acrylic blanks. I chatted with him recently, and he casts 200 acrylic blanks a night of various colours.. He's due to put up a web page soon, detailing all his stuff, because the turnover of items on E-bay costs him a fair bit in sellers fees.

 

Rutlands has a few other kit types ( http://www.rutlands.co.uk ), but nothing exceptional.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

 

 

[EricofPendom]

I use 'Turned Pen Supplies' on E-Bay (ebay seller name drew4428). I simply cannot praise him enough for the help he's given me in the last couple of weeks. His pen kits are in widely available styles, but they are cheaper than the common run, and he does a wide range of acrylic blanks. I chatted with him recently, and he casts 200 acrylic blanks a night of various colours.. He's due to put up a web page soon, detailing all his stuff, because the turnover of items on E-bay costs him a fair bit in sellers fees.

 

Rutlands has a few other kit types ( http://www.rutlands.co.uk ), but nothing exceptional.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

 

Thanks fo your reply Richard. I found his stuff on ebay, very nice, especially the snake skins. I would like to know how he makes his acrylic blanks wouldn't you?

 

Regards

 

Eric...

[EricofPendom]

Eric, I think this is the International Association of Penturners, link to their home page:

 

http://www.penturners.org/

 

 

Thanks Arthur

 

Eric...

[richardandtracy]

Thanks fo your reply Richard. I found his stuff on ebay, very nice, especially the snake skins. I would like to know how he makes his acrylic blanks wouldn't you?

 

Regards

 

Eric...

Eric,

 

I think drew makes the snakeskin type with a printed snakeskin ring (may be paper or something else, exact material wouldn't matter much) then casts a tube of clear acrylic around it. The acrylic would then be turned down to the required diameter and the 'snakeskin' would be visible inside.

 

As for the other acrylic, it's mostly a matter of mixing up two pots of different colours and pouring carefully into a mould one after the other and ensuring that the mixing of the colours is not too good. I know it's not as simple (or easy) as that - but it's a fair summary of the process.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

[EricofPendom]

Thanks fo your reply Richard. I found his stuff on ebay, very nice, especially the snake skins. I would like to know how he makes his acrylic blanks wouldn't you?

 

Regards

 

Eric...

Eric,

 

I think drew makes the snakeskin type with a printed snakeskin ring (may be paper or something else, exact material wouldn't matter much) then casts a tube of clear acrylic around it. The acrylic would then be turned down to the required diameter and the 'snakeskin' would be visible inside.

 

As for the other acrylic, it's mostly a matter of mixing up two pots of different colours and pouring carefully into a mould one after the other and ensuring that the mixing of the colours is not too good. I know it's not as simple (or easy) as that - but it's a fair summary of the process.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

 

Have you ever tried making your own acrylic blanks? I really fancy having a go myself but I can't seem to find any info on where to get the raw materials or how to go about it. Any pointers would be great.

 

Regards

 

Eric...

[richardandtracy]

Have you ever tried making your own acrylic blanks? I really fancy having a go myself but I can't seem to find any info on where to get the raw materials or how to go about it. Any pointers would be great.

 

Regards

 

Eric...

No, for the same reason as you. I haven't the faintest idea where to get the raw material from.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

[Beechwood]

Apologies if this site is common knowledge but : http://www.proserpinewoodturners.com/MakingResinPens.html

 

This site also appears to be useful :http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk

Edited January 28, 2009 by Arthur

[richardandtracy]

Apologies if this site is common knowledge but : http://www.proserpinewoodturners.com/MakingResinPens.html

 

This site also appears to be useful :http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk

Perfect!

Thanks Arthur, very useful.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

[gwilki]

Richard: You'll find many articles on blank making on the IAP. You can also go on Youtube and search under grub32. He has some very good videos on making your own pen blanks.

 

[EricofPendom]

I am going to have to find some more difficult questions for you guys, you seem to have all the answers. Thanks for the info.

 

Regards

 

Eric...

[nihanshe]

I have only recently started turning pens and have been using the readily availably kits from the likes of Axminster, Turners Retreat and Craft Supplies. They are nice and seem decent quality but there aren't many styles to choose from and none give that air of exclusivity. Does anyone know of any kit or component suppliers in the UK preferably, but also the USA that are very good quality.

 

Regards

 

Eric...

 

Hi Eric I am a wood turner and pen turner and the maker of acrylic pen banks we are in discussions with guys overseas about bringing pen kits into the country when we are happy with the price I will get them and will let you know.

Regards Mervyn

 

www.ukpenkits.com

 

[EricofPendom]

Mervyn, sorry for the delayed reply but not been on VPN for a few days. I would be very interested to hear from you regards kits and other stuff. I will have a look at your site as well.

 

Regards

 

Eric ...

[nihanshe]

Mervyn, sorry for the delayed reply but not been on VPN for a few days. I would be very interested to hear from you regards kits and other stuff. I will have a look at your site as well.

 

Regards

 

Eric ...

 

Hi Eric I will look forward to it and if I can help you in anyway just drop me a line.

Regards Mervyn

 

www.ukpenkits.com

 

[The PenMaker]

Hi Eric.

Until the past couple of years the quality and variety of kits available in the UK was not great which is why 5 years go I started buying from the USA & Canada. The 2 main suppliers I now use are Craft Supplies USA (www.woodturnerscatalog.com) and William Wood-Write Ltd Canada (www.penblanks.ca). I receive very good service from both of them.

Regards Ron Caddy (www.thepenmakers.co.uk)

[richardandtracy]

I went to a craft show over the weekend and was pointed to the following source:-

http://www.turners-retreat.co.uk/acatalog/...Collection.html

 

I've not bought from them, but the turner I talked to (Paul Williams of http://www.wwww.uk.net/Home.htm ) said he bought up to 100 kits at a time from them.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Richard.