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 […]
Instructional
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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 […]
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 […]
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 an experienced pen turner looking for a more challenging lathe project, wooden rings are a great choice. Wooden jewelry is popular at craft markets or in an online shop, especially for customers who are searching for something custom made. Rings made from exotic wood also present an opportunity […]
Something we often hear customers say is that they’re overwhelmed by the choice of materials available for turning custom handmade pens on their lathe. Pen kits come in many platings and styles, and there are infinite blanks available. With all these options, how can you possibly decide what looks good […]
Not many people think about the inner workings of pens, but woodturners know better. If the parts of a pen aren’t assembled just so, the pen will not work properly. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending many hours turning and finishing a custom pen only to find that when you […]
If you’ve been turning pens for a while and are ready to expand your skill set, bottle stoppers are a fun next step. They also happen to be excellent handmade gifts, so if you’re selling your wood turnings at markets or online, they’re a great addition to your inventory. Turning […]