Lesson number one in pen turning: Precision is everything! You may have already learned this the hard way. Those tiny pen kit parts can be finicky. Something that seems like a small misstep in the beginning can become a big, glaring problem later, like unsightly gaps or even a pen […]
Yearly Archives: 2025
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Woodturners love exotic wood for its huge range of colours and intriguing features. The problem is, sometimes it can be surprisingly difficult to finish. Many tropical woods in particular are oily, which can interfere with some of the most common finishing products. Unusual, interesting wood may be prized in pen […]
Sanding is an often unnoticed part of the turning process because the truth is, when it’s done well it doesn’t draw attention. When it’s done poorly, on the other hand, it’s the first thing that gets noticed. For many, it’s a chore and the least enjoyable part of turning. The […]
If you’re a beginner woodturner or a pen maker ready to branch out into larger projects, you might have questions about chucks. A chuck is inserted into the headstock of a lathe to clamp things in place, whether that’s a blank or a tool. Different chucks do different jobs. So […]
Something almost every woodturner can relate to is the struggle to keep all the smaller tools, bits and bobs organized. Bushings for pen turning in particular seem to go missing or get mixed up often, which is frustrating when all you want to do is get turning. Over the years […]
Every woodturner has different preferences when it comes to tools. One hotly debated subject is choosing between traditional chisels or carbide chisels. Which one is better? Well, there’s no simple answer for that! The fact is, they’re just different, each with pros and cons. Traditional chisels are usually made from […]
Now more than ever, Canadian woodturners are seeking out Made-in-Canada products and tools for their wood lathe projects. As a Canadian small business, William Wood-Write has your back! We know how important it is to our customers to source materials right here at home because it’s important to us too. […]
Woodturning is a fun, practical hobby, but any woodturner can tell you that it’s possible to get out of control while shopping! It isn’t easy to turn away from specialty pen blanks, new wood lathe tools and interesting project and pen kits. However, there are a few ways that you […]
One of the most common questions among beginner woodturners is how to sharpen chisels. There are lots of things to consider, such as the recommended angle for different chisels or what kind of grinding wheels and equipment is needed. Seasoned woodturners each have their own specific preferences for exactly how […]
If you’re venturing into the world of casting your own resin pen blanks, it can seem like there’s an overwhelming amount of things to learn. You can experiment with almost any material and with practice, create some really unique, visually stunning pieces. One important element of resin casting is choosing […]
Whether you’re a beginner woodturner or a seasoned pro, you’re probably always on the lookout for new projects to try turning on your lathe. While there really are no limits to what you can experiment with, having some woodturning kits for practice and inspiration is always helpful. No matter your […]
Have you ever stopped to wonder what it is about woodturning that you love so much? Well, the answer is simple: it’s good for your brain! Studies have shown that creative hobbies such as woodturning can help ease anxiety, alleviate depression and improve memory. Working with your hands on a […]
One of the most common and well-loved materials in pen turning is CA glue, also known as cyanoacrylate. It’s not just that it is great for gluing pen tubes into wood blanks; it can also be used to stabilize weak wood, create a durable finish and even repair mistakes! So […]