Did you know that there are certain styles of pen turning kits that use less than a "full" length pen blank? The Carbara or the Sierra-style kits both take less than a full blank, and there are several reasons why using them might be to your advantage. (And check out your chance to win two of these kits below!)

Do you have pen blanks or remainders that are less than the proper size? The Carbara kit uses a blank less than three inches long.

Available in three beautiful platings (Gold, Chrome, and Titanium, shown above), the Carbara pen is both easy to make and comfortable to write with. It features a well-balanced design and accepts premium Parker refills (including popular gel refills).

Is cost an issue? Maybe you sell turned pens at craft shows or online. The Sierra pen kit allows you to use only one-half of a normal blank, thus reducing the overall cost of producing the pen. The Sierra Kit comes in several beautiful styles and finishes (below and upper right):

And for something unusual, check out the brand-new Sierra Circuit-Board Pen Kit (pictured, left), which includes a blank made from a non-functional circuit board! Available in attractive gold and chrome finishes, it makes for a fabulous, unique look.

Both the Carbara and the Sierra kits are also a great way to use up scraps of exotics/specialty woods that you may have tucked away in a corner of your shop! Try them out today!

Pen blank / Pen Kit Giveaway:
NOTE: Contest has ended! Subscribe to Buzz Saw so you don't miss our next one!
Follow these directions for your chance to win!

1. Post a link to this blog post on your blog or website (Sorry - tweeting doesn't count.) Use this url: http://www.rockler.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/11/11/Short-on-Pen-Blanks--Try-These-Pen-Turning-Kits
2. Then come back here and post a link to your blog or website in the comments below.
3. That's it! The first ten commenters who have linked back to this post will win five free wood pen blanks. And on Monday, November 16th, one lucky commenter (chosen at random from all the commenters who linked), will win their choice of two free pen kits. Choose from the Carbara or Sierra lines!

We heard from Russ Alexander of Big Bear Lake, California last week on our Clamp Handle Grips. Russ gives 'em five stars and says:

I have around 50 Bessey clamps, most with the older style small handle. When the new style came out I asked Bessey if there was a way to adapt the new handles to my older clamps and they recommended the Rockler grips. They fit nicely and contour to the handles when you push them on. I am very pleased with them and my arthritis really appreciates the larger gripping surface.

Russ' mixture of old and new Bessy Clamps is pictured, below left. Thanks for sharing your review, Russ!

Other reviewers on the Clamp Handle Grips agree, saying: They "provide a great grip and it is more comfortable in your hand" and "...the grip is significantly better." Try out the Clamp Handle Grips, and see if you don't agree!

Did you know that Rockler.com has over 15,000 customer product reviews on our site? Whether you're trying to determine the right tool for the job, or just want others' opinion on how something works, come to Rockler and let our product reviews guide you in your decision-making. It's another way Rockler helps you Create with Confidence.

It's always interesting to mix things up a little bit, and with that in mind we thought we'd begin offering up some posts from guest bloggers!

First up: Shannon Rogers, of Rogers' Fine Woodworking. Shannon blogs as The Renaissance Woodworker and is well known to the woodworking community on Twitter as RenaissanceWW.

Shannon has submitted his post in the form of a video review of the Rockler Dust Right system, and it's a good overview of many of the features of our integrated dust collection system. Take it away, Shannon!

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Five stars all around for this little gem! We'll let our customers tell you about the Thread Detective:

"These make sizing an unknown screw or bolt a snap."
"Ingenious product!"
"Very simple to use so just buy it you won't regret it!"
"Will get frequent use"
"Age old problem now solved"
"Must-have tools for your workshop"
"So clever and useful"
"They make misidentification nearly impossible and a problem of the past."

And our Review of the Week this week by Mike Miller, of Noblesville, IN:
"Another Rockler winner! Saves time and easy to use. I have both the SAE and metric versions and they are great. Thanks, Rockler."

The Thread Detective comes in both standard and metric, and every size has both a male and a female tester. We have to agree: Ingenious!

Rockler's Bench Cookies have turned out to be such a big hit, that we had a little party last week to celebrate the Cookies and our "Boys in Blue" - the Product Development team that created them!

The delicious (and perfectly-themed!) Cookie Monster cake was made by Roxanne Kielbasa, the caterer wife of Joe Kielbasa, Rockler's V.P. of Merchandising.

Pictured below, right, are the "Boys in Blue," Rocker's very talented Product Development team. (Left to right: Dan Wenning, Jim Fry, Steve Krohmer - V.P., Product Development - and Dan Banasik). (Not pictured: Category Manager Jim Carroll, who also played a key role in developing the Bench Cookie). These guys are responsible for the fabulous Rockler Innovations that you've come to know and love in your shop. As someone at the AWFS show said, leave it to a bunch of guys from Minnesota to come up with a hockey puck that'll do the job for you!

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If you haven't heard about Rockler Bench Cookies yet, well, I hate to say "Where have you been?" but... where have you been? Bench Cookies are the hottest new accessory to hit the workshop since - I don't know when!

Bench Cookies are unique hockey-puck-sized non-slip discs that grip and elevate projects, holding them in place -- without clamps -- for safe and easy routing, sanding, finishing and more. Steve Krohmer, Rockler's Vice President of Product Development explains, "They keep your project from slipping; they give you complete access to its edges; they're completely non-marring and require virtually zero set up."

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Update: Congratulations to our giveaway winner, Tim Spaulding, who has won his choice of one of the new pen kits! Please be sure to check out Tim's website Maggie Lake Woodworks where he's got some fantastic pieces for sale. Thanks for posting on your blog, Tim, and for being a Buzz Saw reader! (The first ten people who posted also win a small prize! We'll contact you individually for details).

We've just brought in an exciting new line for pen turners — Laser-Cut Inlay Pen Kits! There are certain people who can do this kind of awesomeness (yes, that is a word - Marc Spagnuolo said so today on Twitter!) on their own (Keith from Syzygy comes to mind), but for the majority of us who can't, these unique kits are the answer to making gorgeous inlaid pens. The kits come directly from the original creator so you are assured of top quality. Imagine the oohs and aahs when the holiday or birthday gifts are opened, and your beautiful inlaid turned pen is pulled out of the wrapping paper!

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Our customer review of the week this week is definitely the funkiest use of our hardware that we've seen yet! Willem Volkersz, of Bozeman, Montana writes

I have used Rockler hardware in my mixed media and neon sculptures for many years; they perfectly complement the kind of craftsmanship I strive for in my work. [In the piece shown at right] I am using Rockler nickel plated catches and hinges (as well as black vinyl covered handles) for a sculptural installation that consists of 165 wooden suitcases and the neon figure of a boy.

Now that's just cool.

It's summertime (at least here in the northern hemisphere), and summer fun is in full swing. Our favorite customer review at Rockler.com this week is this creative interpretation of the Beer Bottle Adirondack Chair Plan! The reviewer, Brad, turns his Cleveland, Ohio yard into a tropical paradise, complete with a giant bottle of Corona! Brad says the chair plans were good, easy to follow, and that he's working on a cup holder. Don't forget the lime, Brad!

Obviously you'd rather be sitting on your deck than working on your deck this summer. But if your deck needs some repair, we've got a few neat tools (one for pulling the old boards, two for laying the new ones) that will make that job easier and quicker, and get you back in that Adirondack chair faster!

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Rockler is excited to introduce SketchList 3D, a new three-dimensional project planning program specifically created for woodworkers! With SketchList, you can have the design capabilities of a professional in your very own woodshop at an affordable price.

One big difference between SketchList and another, similarly-named product is this: SketchList 3D makes it easy to create detailed visualizations and accurate designs for your woodworking projects, even if you have no previous computer design experience.

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