Making a Pen with Your New Wood Lathe

So you just purchased a wood lathe but do not know what kind of project you should start out with. As soon as the right amount of skill is obtained, beautiful pieces of woodwork can be created with a wood lathe. However, before you get too over your head, it is best to start out with a basic woodturning project. My recommendation would be beginning by carving your very own pen.

Pen turning is a common hobby or past time. These homemade pens can make excellent gifts for any event. Pen turning is a fun yet practical project that can help you get a taste of the capabilities of your wood lathe. The following are some tips in preparing your wood for the lathe that will help you make your first wood lathe experience successful.

1. Pick an interesting wood blank. One of the great things about pen turning is you can use any sort of wood you want, including scrap pieces from other projects. Pick out a piece of wood with interesting figuring. Be aware that some wood changes appearance with light and air exposure and will begin to look dull with time, such as Paduak or Purple Heart wood. If you are not comfortable using a scrap piece of wood there are numerous wood blanks that can be purchased in all sorts of exotic woods.

2. Examine your wood. It is very important that you examine the wood you are using for your pen project. Make sure that your wood is dry and without faults or cracks. Damp and cracked wood will make for a lousy pen, if you can even make one out of that type of wood at all.

3. It is better to be oversized than undersized. If you have to choose between an oversized wood blank and an undersized blank, always choose the oversized one. This will give you some leeway just in case you make a mistake.

4. Have an idea. As with everything else in life, your pen will turn out better if you have an idea on what you want to create before you start. Decide before using the wood lathe on what type of shape you want your pen to be.

5. Mark the wood blank before you cut. It is nice to put a pencil mark across the grain of the wood before you start. This will make it easier to match up the grain pattern after you cut the wood blank.

6. Make sure your ends are square. If the ends of your wood blank are not perfectly square before using the wood lathe, there will be possibilities of cracking when the pen is assembled.

7. The smaller wood lathe the better. This tip is really just meant to make your life easier. Any wood lathe is suitable for pen turning; however, the smaller the wood lathe the easier your job is.

8. Keep it simple the first couple of times. It is tempting to want to do some fun and intricate pen shapes the first couple of times but stick to the basics until you figure out just exactly what it is you are doing.

A pen is an easy project that can help you with the beginning possibilities of your new wood lathe. After you conquer creating your own pen, there are several other projects to start with such as table and chair legs, wooden bowls, wooden hammers, candle sticks, or even pieces to a chess set. Just remember to begin with a simple project with your wood lathe to get use to your new tool before attempting more difficult projects.

Kaitlin Carruth is a client account specialist with 10xMarketing- More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. For more information about wood lathes, please visit Tool America.

---

Remodel Your Kitchen or Bathroom For The Best ROI!

Trying to decide which home improvement project to tackle next?... Read More

Get New Floors And Save A Bundle When You Do It Yourself

After years of use, your floor will need to be... Read More

Chimney Cap Checklist: Four Quick Ways to Evaluate Your Existing Chimney Cap

While you are cleaning leaves out of your home's gutters,... Read More

Bedding is Fashion for the Bed

Ladies, we spend a lot of time in the morning... Read More

Five Easy Ways to Give Your Kitchen Designer Wow!

A beautiful kitchen is the heart of any home (even... Read More

Which Lamp Should I Choose?

With all the lighting choices out there, you may want... Read More

Log Homes - Is a Log Home In Your Future?

Many people dream about a log home in their future... Read More

Scented Candles ? Take Me AWAY!

Remember the old Calgon commercial-"Take me away Calgon!" There's only... Read More

Are Showers Harmful to Your Health?

The last thing you would think about when you are... Read More

Whats So Special About My Front Door?

"The doors we open and close each day decide the... Read More

Tips for Designing with Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floor styles come in strips, planks and parquet, and... Read More

Trading in Corporate Office for Home Office

Six years ago, I had not yet turned on a... Read More

The Benefits Of Wooden Flooring

They're affordable and come in a wide variety of styles... Read More

Kitchen Remodeling Guide

A kitchen can make or ruin a family life. A... Read More

The Importance of Bedroom Design in a Home Decoration Project.

A home is a place where we live, spend most... Read More

Buying House Plans Online

The Benefits of Self BuildingInvesting in property had always been... Read More

Seven Essential Color Concepts for Designing Spaces

Understanding a few essential color concepts will help you design... Read More

Tips For Buying a Whirlpool Bath Online

So you're building the bath of your dreams but find... Read More

Duct Cleaning - Proper Principals and Practices

As a qualified duct cleaning contractor I have discovered that... Read More

Help Choosing Door and Window Hardware

Who would be the best person to help you find... Read More

Design Psychology: Beds and Emotional Well-Being

The bed represents the beginning and ending of life. In... Read More

How to Install a Ceiling Fan - A Simple Guide

A Complete manual on how to install a Ceiling Fan... Read More

Traditional Interior Design

Traditional interior design encompasses a great variety of elements in... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Rights of Light to Adjoining Neighbours Windows - What You Should Know

Rights of light - What a minefield this topic is... Read More

An Introduction to Air Compressors

Air compressors are widely used among American manufacturers, industries and... Read More

Choosing A New Floor

Is it time to give that tired kitchen floor a... Read More

Colors: Their Connotations and Perceived Meanings

Throughout the ages, colors have been used to evoke certain... Read More

Laminate Flooring is Built for the Twenty First Century

The tradition of hardwood floors dates back hundreds of years,... Read More

Checking for Asbestos in Your Home

If you are concerned about asbestos exposure you are not... Read More

Vintage Labels on Marble Tiles

It's refreshing to note that gone are the days that... Read More

Spring Into Action: Home Maintenance

Spring has sprung! Even more important than buds, birds, and... Read More

Get Your Home Ready To Sell

Have you been considering selling your home in the near... Read More

Home Sweet Home

All of us live in houses but how many of... Read More