Pen Kits

Pen Kits from Craft Supplies USA

When it comes to pen turning kits, we have something for every taste and budget. From popular slimline pen kits for beginners and the budget conscious, to high-end rollerball and fountain pen kits for making collector grade pens, our prices, service and delivery time can’t be beat. We offer pen kits from reputable brands like Artisan, PSI, Apprentice, and McKenzie Penworks, ensuring you get quality pen components, durable platings, and easy to follow instructions. All of our pen turning kits are backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee meaning you can shop with confidence knowing you’ll be well taken care of.

Getting Started Pen Turning

Pen turning is a fun and rewarding hobby that caters to all skill levels of woodturners. It’s how most beginners are introduced to woodturning as it’s relatively quick and easy to make a functional pen that can be cherished and used daily. Pen turning also tests the skills of experienced turners making high-end collector pens using a variety of exotic pen blanks, intricate inlays, and flawless finishes. Many pen turners use their hobby as side business selling pen kits at farmers markets, gift shops, and local businesses.

To get started pen turning, you’ll need a few essential supplies. If you’re starting from scratch, here’s what we recommend:

• Mini Lathe: A compact wood lathe, ideal for pen turning projects.
  
• Carbide Turning Tool with 2” Radius Square Cutter: This cutter profile provides excellent control and a smooth finish, making it our preferred choice for pen turning.
  
• Pen Mandrel: For mounting the pen blank and pen bushings on the wood lathe for turning.
  
• Pen Kit, Bushings, and Drill Bit: Ensure you have the correct bushings and drill bit specific to your chosen pen kit.
  
• Pen Blank: Select a pen blank that suits your skill level and desired aesthetic. A hardwood pen blank is a good starting point.
  
• CA Glue or Epoxy: For gluing the brass tubes into a drilled pen blank.
  
• Sandpaper (Assorted Grits): Progress through various grits for a smooth, polished finish.
  
• Friction Polish (for Wood Pen Blanks): Apply a friction polish to enhance the wood’s natural beauty and provide a protective layer.

For the beginner turning your first pen, we suggest using a Slimline pen kit and a hardwood pen blank. The straight profile of the Slimline pen is easy to shape, and a hardwood pen blank is easy to turn, sand, and finish. Turn a handful of pens like this to build your pen making skills, then progress to other turning materials like acrylic pen blanks or stabilized pen blanks. Experiment with new techniques and like applying a CA finish (cyanoacrylate) for an eye-catching and extremely durable pen finish.

Types of Pen Turning Kits

Today’s pen turners have a broad selection of pen kits to choose from. If you are new to pen making, this can seem daunting, but let’s simplify things by organizing the choices by the type of ink refill the pen kit uses.

• Ballpoint pen kits: The ballpoint pen is the most popular pen type for daily use and is also the most affordable pen kit. We have ballpoint pen kits available with twist mechanisms or click mechanisms to retract the ink tip. The ballpoint ink refills, usually Cross® or Parker® style, offer smooth, consistent writing and replacement ink refills are easy to find. Some of our most popular pen kits are ballpoints, like the Slimline pen kit, Cigar pen kit, European Pen kit, and Bolt Action pen kit.
  
• Rollerball pen kits: The rollerball pen is one of the most satisfying pens to write with. The flow of the ink to the paper is nearly effortless, leaving a smooth, dark line as you write. They are truly a joy to use and are very popular with pen enthusiasts and collectors alike. The heft, intricate details, and jewelry grade platings available on rollerball pen kits make them a premium choice. Popular rollerball pen kits include the Jr. Gentlemen’s pen kit and Jr. Retro pen kit with their timeless styling and threaded caps, while the Jr. Zen rollerball pen kit has modern styling and features a unique magnetic cap.
  
• Fountain pen kits: A favorite of handwriting enthusiasts and high-end pen collectors, the fountain pen has a long history evolving from early reed pens to the modern fountain pens we have today. Our fountain pen kits share the same heft, balance, and jewelry grade platings as our rollerball kits, but feature premium, German-made, iridium fountain pen nibs. The Artisan Statesman Fountain pen kit is one of our most premium pen kits.
  
• Pencil kits: Loved by both handwriters and artists alike, a turned pencil is a fantastic writing instrument. We offer pencil kits that use standard 0.7mm lead and a click advance as well as artists sketch pencil kits that use larger pencil leads and clutch mechanisms, perfect for drawing and for workshop use. Some popular pencil kits include the Slimline pencil kit, 3mm Artists Sketch pencil kit, and the PSI DuraClick EDC Pencil Kit.

PSI Pen Kits (Penn State Industries)

Penn State pen kits are known for their uniquely themed pen designs as well as classic pen styles. Their popular line of Bolt Action pen kits are a customer favorite. We carry a wide variety of PSI pen kits, all backed by our world-class customer service and expert advice.

Artisan Pen Kits

Since 1985, Artisan pen kits have set the standard for high quality pen making kits. Classic styling, exceptional balance, jewelry-grade platings, and precisely crafted components make Artisan pen kits our most popular line of pen kits.

Apprentice Pen Kits

Designed for schools and budget-minded pen turners, our range of Apprentice pen kits are an exceptional value. They strike the perfect balance of affordability and quality components resulting in a pen kit any new pen turner can be proud of.

McKenzie Penworks Pen Kits

McKenzie Penworks is a family run business making high quality pen kits and pen blanks right here in the USA. The components of their premium pen kits are machined from stainless steel and include high quality ink refills. The polished finish, precisely fitting components, and crisp mechanisms have all the hallmarks of a premium pen kit.