Overview
This kit contains all the essential tooling you need to start turning custom pens. Includes 3 pen blanks (Bloodwood, Bubinga and Olivewood), 3 gold-plated hardware kits with twist mechanisms, 7mm mandrel with knurled nut and #2 Morse Taper, 7mm bushings, a 7mm Brad Point Drill Bit, a 1 oz. bottle of CA Glue, a Pen Mill for truing up all mating surfaces and a storage case with 28 adjustable compartments.
What's included
(1) Bloodwood Pen Blank
(1) Bubinga Pen Blank
(1) Olivewood Pen Blank
(3) 7mm Pen Hardware Kits
(1) 7mm mandrel with knurled nut and #2 Morse Taper
(1) Set of 7mm bushings
(1) 7mm Brad Point Drill Bit
(1) 1 oz. bottle of CA Glue
(1) Pen Mill (2-piece design. 3/16" threaded shank, 1/2" end mill, 1/4" clean-out shaft, Allen wrench for interchanging "end mill" component)
(1) Plano Storage Case with 28 adjustable compartments
(1) Bubinga Pen Blank
(1) Olivewood Pen Blank
(3) 7mm Pen Hardware Kits
(1) 7mm mandrel with knurled nut and #2 Morse Taper
(1) Set of 7mm bushings
(1) 7mm Brad Point Drill Bit
(1) 1 oz. bottle of CA Glue
(1) Pen Mill (2-piece design. 3/16" threaded shank, 1/2" end mill, 1/4" clean-out shaft, Allen wrench for interchanging "end mill" component)
(1) Plano Storage Case with 28 adjustable compartments
Technical Details
- Brand: Rockler
- Manufacturer Part Number: 38643
- Weight (lbs): 2.2000
- Type: Bushings, Drilling, Mandrel
Product Warnings
WARNING This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/product Related Articles
Frequently Bought Together
Questions and Answers
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Browse 6 questions
Browse 6 questions
and 58 answers
Why did you choose this?
Rockler Store
Would like to start turning pens and small items
Floyd F
on May 20, 2017
Want to try my hand at pen making and this seemed like a reasonably priced starter kit.
ED R
on Apr 17, 2017
Would like to start turning pens and small items
Floyd F
on May 20, 2017
I want to get started
Michael W
on May 1, 2017
In this kit there is a threaded end on the barrel trimmer tool. How do I insert that into my drill press chuck without some type of adapter? Am I missing a piece or did I receive the wrong barrel trimmer tool? The threads on the barrel trimmer tool are 3/16", which are smaller than the included morse taper mandrel threads so I can not use it on my lathe. HELP!!!!
BEST ANSWER: This barrel trimmer is an older model that came out before the trimmers that you put in you drill.
When I got mine I made a handle for it but have since thrown that out and just use the trimmer as is in my drill.
When I got mine I made a handle for it but have since thrown that out and just use the trimmer as is in my drill.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- Rick H Staff on Oct 26, 2015
Will this kit work with the Excelsior mini lathe sold by Rockler?
BEST ANSWER: Yes it works well with it.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Mitchell G on Sep 17, 2016
- Purchased on Aug 27, 2016
What's the purpose of the brass compression nut set and plastic gasket that is included? It is NOT pictured in the product photos, nor mentioned in any of the several pen turning videos linked here. It fits on the end of the Mandrel and seems it could be an alternative end stock adapter of something. It was in the kit in a separate baggy with 2 replacement plastic gaskets. Useful input or theories appreciated.
BEST ANSWER: I wondered the same thing and, so far, think that it is likely for 'shortening' the length of the mandrel for shorter projects (keychain, whistle, etc). It seems that if you put it on the mandrel first, then the appropriate bushings and material, it should be secure and allow some adjustment.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Aaron F on May 23, 2017
What is the diameter of the # 2 morse taper?
BEST ANSWER: The major diameter (large end of taper) of a #2 morse taper is .700 inch. The minor diameter (small end) is .369 inch. I hope this helps
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Lance S on Feb 29, 2016
Can I get the morse #1 taper on this kit instead of the #2
BEST ANSWER: You can purchase the #1Morse by itself, but the kit is for a standard pen making. Most everyone starting on pens will use the #2 Morse taper.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- Randy R on Feb 18, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 13, 2015
Reviews
4.4 / 5.0
44 Reviews
This is a really good starter...
This is a really good starter kit.Other than creating a drill jig, an assembly gage for inserting the twist mechanism, and a handle (optional) for the pen mill there was very little that was needed to get started.IMPORTANT COMMENT - Ensure that when you open the kit that the dimple end of the mandrel is NOT installed in the #2MT end. You will need the dimple end to engage your live center of your lathe tailstock. Mine was installed backwards (no dimple on tailstock side). After two days of turning with a rigged up adapter piece for my live center I discovered this. I unscrewed the spindel, turned it over, and screwed it back in. Works MUCH better now.
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December 12, 2009
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This is one of the easiest...
This is one of the easiest and greatest products I could have ordered. Me and my sons have turned about 20 pens and they have sold like hot cakes. My sons have started their own business turning pens and they are making more than I do as a chef per hour So it is a great and easy way to make a few bucks.
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March 10, 2008
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As a novice this kit was...
As a novice this kit was all I needed to get started.I have turned all three pens in the kit and ordered more. An excellent way to start turning pens.
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November 22, 2007
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This is an excellent way to...
This is an excellent way to get started pen turning. I am a beginner in turning, so to be able to get the things I need in a kit was great.
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June 6, 2010
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I bought my first Rockler pen...
I bought my first Rockler pen kit when I was on a school trip to Johnson's Workbench in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I turned a pen at the wood fair and was hooked. I have made some laminated pen blanks and they turned out pretty nice. I have made many pens and now I'm looking for a lathe. I highly recommend getting this kit.
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October 21, 2009
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All contents looks high quality but !!
Very disappointed that there are no instructions or info sites to go to explaining how to use the starter kit. As a beginner some instructions would be most helpful. Will rely on internet for help. If I did not have internet capabilities I would be totally lost.
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Good Starter Kit, But . . .
I ordered this kit to get started turning pens for Christmas presents. This kit does include ALMOST everything a newbie needs to turn out a nice Slimline pen, including some nice wood blanks. The first issue I had with this kit is that it includes no instructions or explanation of the items inside. There is still one item I have no idea what it's use is. Luckily there was a good "How To" video on YouTube done by a private individual using this kit.
Second, after cutting the blanks, drilling and gluing in the brass tubes, I found that the mandrel was about 1/4 inch too long for the Slimline bushing set up. That is, when I mounted the bushings and pen blanks on the mandrel, I could not screw the lock-nut all the way down tight (I ran out of threads). Again YouTube videos came to the rescue as one turner used "spacer" bushings to take up the slack. Not having any other turning accessories I used the accent ring that came with the pen kit as a spacer - problem solved. I have since ordered an additional set of Slimline bushings to take care of this problem. I would have been a disappointed child on Xmas day without all the needed parts. That being said, I would recommend this kit to a friend with the warning to order an extra set of bushings and watch a YouTube video before getting started. That's why I rated this kit only 3 stars.
Second, after cutting the blanks, drilling and gluing in the brass tubes, I found that the mandrel was about 1/4 inch too long for the Slimline bushing set up. That is, when I mounted the bushings and pen blanks on the mandrel, I could not screw the lock-nut all the way down tight (I ran out of threads). Again YouTube videos came to the rescue as one turner used "spacer" bushings to take up the slack. Not having any other turning accessories I used the accent ring that came with the pen kit as a spacer - problem solved. I have since ordered an additional set of Slimline bushings to take care of this problem. I would have been a disappointed child on Xmas day without all the needed parts. That being said, I would recommend this kit to a friend with the warning to order an extra set of bushings and watch a YouTube video before getting started. That's why I rated this kit only 3 stars.
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I really like the kit. I...
I really like the kit. I bought one for me and one for my dad. We built our first pen today and it was easy and a lot of fun.
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March 29, 2010
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This was my first venture into...
This was my first venture into pen turning and making. The kit was excellent and worked flawlessly. I made all 3 pens for Christmas and they were well received.I would recommend this kit for anyone starting out!
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December 27, 2010
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Making my first pen! This kit...
Making my first pen! This kit is great, it gives you the basic necessities for turning pens. Great way to start out.
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August 24, 2013
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