While browsing products for pen making and other wood turning projects, you’ll have seen references to MT1 and MT2. The letters stand for “Morse Taper”. A morse taper is a tool that fits into the headstock and tailstock of a lathe and has a hollow housing for inserting chucks, live […]
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Exotic wood for turning is usually prized for its striking appearance, but there are other factors that come into play. Many have unusual figuring and colours, with an additional story or anecdote, making them top choices for custom pens and other lathe projects. Here are some popular exotic woods along […]
Many woodturners will tell you that their finish of choice for pen making is cyanoacrylate, commonly known as CA glue. CA glue creates a hard, durable and glossy finish while enhancing the grain and sheen of the wood. It’s accomplished by building up very thin layers of CA glue and […]
There is an overwhelming number of choices when it comes to finishing your custom pens and other lathe projects. Some people swear by wax and oil products, while others always turn to shellac to get that deep, glossy look. When deciding what polish to choose when shopping for woodturning supplies, […]
Stabilizing your own wood for pen turning can be a real trial-and-error process. There are so many variables that impact how your blanks will turn out, such as humidity and temperature. At William Wood-Write, we’ve been stabilizing our own pen blanks and project blocks for years and have learned a […]
If you’re working away on a wood turning project and discover cracks or holes, don’t panic. When it comes to exotic wood, especially unstabilized burl, you never know what you’re going to get. You might find a range of inclusions, fissures, bark or gaps. These details aren’t necessarily a bad […]
Creating an inlay for handmade rings or other wood turning projects can seem intimidating at first. After all, something that looks so great must be difficult to do, right? We have good news: It’s easier than you think. With the right tools and materials, you can be a master of […]
It’s a debate that can go on forever: Is stabilized wood better than natural wood when it comes to turning? Truthfully it comes down to what you’re making, what species you’re working with and personal preference. Stabilized wood has been thoroughly dried and then permeated with resin under vacuum. This […]
Wood turners are always on the lookout for features in wood that make our projects stand out, whether that’s a unique grain, an unusual colour or the intricate patterns found in a nice piece of burl. One way to give meaning and value to a pen, bowl or other turning […]
Although tool preference will come down to the turners personal preference, not all chisels are made equal. For example, there are specialty chisels for projects like pen or bowl turning that will make your time on the lathe more enjoyable. We’re going to break down each type of chisel, what […]
When it comes to putting a top coat on your turning projects there are endless product choices, which can make it difficult to choose what finish is best for you. We’ll compare each of our wood finishes main ingredient, level of gloss and ease of application. Shellac Friction Polishes The […]
Written in collaboration with Clapham’s Beeswax Products Ltd Looking for a natural wood finish for your turning projects, while keeping your spending power in Canada? Clapham’s Beeswax Products are produced sustainably from Farm-to-Tub in British Columbia, offering a natural way to finish and preserve your wood turning projects with local […]
If you’ve ever seen the words “turn a tenon” in the instructions of a pen kit you are about to turn and thought “Oh no!”, William Wood-Write is here to help! Today we are going to be walking our loyal customers through the turning and assembly of The Budget Round […]
Have you ever invested in a drill bit for a particular pen or project, only to throw it in the bottom of your toolbox to be forgotten? Us too. So, William Wood-Write is here today to help our loyal customers get the most of their tooling with a comprehensive list […]
Father’s Day 2023 is just around the corner and, if you’re anything like us, you struggle to find the perfect gift for the father figure in your life. Look no further! William Wood-Write is here to share our top 5 favourite Pen, Pencil and Project Kits that are guaranteed to […]
Whether you are just starting to explore the world of penturning or are a seasoned maker, we’re pretty confident that you have a 3/8″ drill bit laying around your shop. Our loyal customers know that many of William Wood-Write’s most popular pen kits use a 3/8″ drill bit, like the […]
When it comes to finishing pen and project kits, there are seemingly endless options of finishes to choose from, ranging from natural, food-safe waxes to specifically formulated chemical finishes. Whether you are working with acrylic, wood, or anything in between, it can be difficult to figure out which finish is […]
William Wood-Write is here to wish our customers a very Happy Holidays, however you celebrate! We know it can be tough to find the perfect gift for everyone you care about, so we’re here to share our official William Wood-Write 2022 Christmas Gift Catalog. Whether you’re on a tight budget […]
In light of the release of the Slim Max Click Pen 2.0 in a brand new stunning red plating, we’d like to go over the steps involved in correctly installing the Slim Max pen’s 3-piece click mechanism. If you’ve ever turned a Slim Max 2.0 click pen, you’re familiar with […]
The word “Burl” has been floating around within the penturning community quite a bit lately, and we, here at William Wood-Write, are here to tell you why! Whether you know what burl is, but don’t know how to begin turning it, or you’ve never even heard of burl, worry not! […]
If you’re finding yourself a little confused about which of our kits you can make with the drill bits you already have, look no further! William Wood-Write is here with a comprehensive list of every single pen, pencil, and project kit that you can turn with the 8mm Drill Bit […]
While many pen turners have a stash of CA glue in their toolbox, not many know about the incredible versatility this glue has up its sleeve. Whether you find a crack in your nearly-finished pen blank or need to ensure your project’s long-term durability, CA glue will certainly come to […]
In the last 15 years, fountain pen turning kits have been regaining popularity as a very personal, elegant writing tool used for signatures, calligraphy, or special letters and notes. But, before turning your first fountain pen, there are a few things you need to know. 1) Basic Mechanics of a […]
The time for Christmas gift shopping is upon us, and we here at William Wood-Write are excited to give you our top 10 best gifts for wood turners. Whether they are into technology, stationary, kitchen utensils or jewelry, William Wood-Write offers a huge variety of products to ensure that you […]