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Introduction
The "Slimline" kits are some of the simplest kits to make and
offer an extraordinary number of variations. The 7mm tool components (drill
bit, barrel trimmer, and mandrel) form the basics for many of the other
kits available to turners. The " you-design-it" clips and bands
available
here... allow you to customize the basic Slimline pen and pencil.
There are also Slimline kits available in satin (pewter), flat black,
and titanium finishes. These kits offer an economical option for learning
and experimenting with your woods. If the blanks crack or don't finish
as well as desired, simply order extra tubes for the kit and try again.
Once your pen is assembled, be sure it operates properly; if the pen point
does not retract completely inside the pen tip, the brass tube was trimmed
too short. There is a disassembly kit available that allows recovery of
parts, and once new brass tubes are added you have a complete kit ready
for another try.
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The standard Slimline is a basic
straight line cut which can be made using a skew chisel or gouge. The
duplicator is a popular accessory to use with Slimline pen kits, and there
are a variety of templates available. If you have turned a particularly
pleasing pen design, you can use it as the master in the duplicator and
make many more. The duplicator and the templates allow for the production
of multiple items with matching designs. For example, turn a Slimline
pen and pencil, letter opener, magnifier, key ring and a detachable pen
or clip-on pen using the same template in the duplicator. Use one of the
available glass-top display boxes for them and you have a unique presentation
set for sales or gifts. The duplicator and templates expand the variety
of designs and allow production of matching repetitive patterns.
Getting started
The following directions and photos illustrate our process
of turning, so be sure to also read all directions related to your particular
tools and kits. If you are cutting wood for a number of pens, here's a
few tips to help keep them matched: cut long strips the proper width for
your blanks; use a marker and the brass tube of the kit being made to
mark lines down the stick 1/4" longer than the length of the tube;
then number the pieces (see Fig. 1). The two pieces marked " 1"
will make pen No. 1, the two pieces marked " 2" will make pen
No. 2, and so on. This allows both pieces of each pen to have a continuing
grain pattern. New turners should check
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