DIY Network

Router Techniques and Viewer Jig: Pen Barrels From "DIY Tools & Techniques" episode DIT-221

Expert wood turner Chris Legaux joins host David Thiel to offer a lesson on turning pen barrels on a mini-lathe.

Pen Kit

Assembled Pen

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

1. Choose the material you want to use for your blank (figure A).

2. Cut the material to length. The length of the tubes that come in your kit determines the length.

3. Drill a hole into the blanks big enough for the tubes to fit into (figure B).

4. Glue one of the brass tubes into each of the blanks with instant glue.

   Tip: be sure to have instant glue remover handy in case of spillage.

5. Load the sizing bushing and the blanks with the tubes glued inside onto the pen-making mandrill. The bushings correspond to the diameter of the gold-plated pieces on the pen. The bushings tell you where to stop cutting. The instructions in your pen kit will tell you how to load the bushings.

6. Lock the pieces in place on the mandrill with the nut on the end (figure C).

7. Take the mandrill to the min-lathe and load the head on the mandrill in the headstock.

8. Bring the tailstock forward and engage the end of the mandrill.

9. Tighten everything down.

10. Move the tool rest into position (figure D).

11. Put on your safety shield.

12. Start the mini-lathe and use a 1/2 inch spindle gouge (figure E) to cut away excess material. The bushings will show you what diameters to cut to; you will also want to leave some room to sand later.

13. Move the tool rest out of the way for sanding.

14. Start with 120-grit sandpaper, then hold the sandpaper against the bottom of the material.

15. Turn the mini-lathe on to sand. Continue sanding with finer grits of sandpaper until the wood is smooth.

16. Pour some shellac-based friction finish onto a rag, then rub into the material.

17. Turn the lathe on again, and apply pressure onto the material with the rag. The finish will dry quickly.

18. Assemble your pen.

Tip: the best position for you to stand at the lathe is with your elbows even with the tool.

RESOURCES :

Jet Mini-Lathe
WMH Tool Group
2420 Vantage Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
Phone: 847-851-1000
E-mail: wmh@wmhtoolgroup.com
Web site: www.jettools.com