Introduction: How to Make a Wooden Pen on a Lathe

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This will teach you a step by step process on how to make your own wooden pen.

Supplies

  • Wood
  • Pen Set
  • Lathe
  • Lathe Chisels
  • Super Glue
  • Wood Polish
  • Rag
  • Sandpaper
  • 7mm Drill bit
  • 7mm Mandrel
  • Drill

Step 1: Getting Started!!

To begin you will want to gather your wood and pen kit.

You will then cut the wood blocks down to a length of 2 1/8 inches.

Step 2: Drilling Holes!!

Now we want to drill holes in the center of our woodblock.

Draw a line from corner to corner and form an X at the end of the block.

For a straight hole in your wood block you can use a clamp to hold the wood in place as you drill through the center of the X.

Use a 7mm drill bit and drill all the way through the piece of wood on the drill press.

Step 3: Gluing!!

After you drill your holes into both blocks of wood grab your pen kit and some super glue.

In your pen kit you will find a brass tube. We will be putting this tube into the holes you just created.

Evenly coat the brass tube with super glue and place the tube in the whole. Make sure that the tube is fully inserted and that you can not see it from the side.

Let dry for a couple of hours!

Step 4: Shaving Excess Wood!!

In order to get the wood and the brass tube the same length you will need to cut down wood.

Use a 7mm drill bit similar to the one shown above and shave off the excess wood.

Step 5: Placing Blocks on Mandrel!!

Now your pen is ready to be put onto a mandrel so it can be spun on the lathe.

Make sure that when you put your blocks on the mandrel that they are separated by spacers.

Place mandrel into lathe and make sure its secure.

Step 6: Rounding and Sanding!!

Start the lathe and use the chisel to slowly start rounding the corners. It will get easier as you go on.

Once you have shaven close to the wood, start using sand paper to even out the wood.

This will make it easier to polish.

Step 7: Polishing!!

Once you have sanded your pen, get polish and an old rag.

Pour small amounts of polish on the rag and start the lathe.

Firmly grip the rag and "burn" the polish onto the wood.

Hold the rag to the wood until it starts to heat up and the polish sets.

Step 8: Assembly

Now its time to assemble!

Grab your pen pack and take the wood off the mandrel.

Using clamps insert the pen mechanism (only until the brass ring) into one side of the bottom block of wood and insert the pen tip into the other side.

Slip the ring onto the pen mechanism, then put the ink cartridge in and screw it into the pen mechanism.

On the other block of wood insert the pen cap into the end of the block.

Lastly, connect the two blocks of wood or barrel by using a clamp and inserting the rest of the pen mechanism into the block of wood with the cap.

Now you are done!