Turning kits are just fun. The Magnetic Pickup Pen is one of those kits. I picked this one up at Rockler Woodworking. The pickup pen kit comes with a telescoping magnet, a brass insert, and caps. The work on the pickup pen is similar to other pen kit projects. It has a brass insert and is turned much the same way as other pens kits. The Rockler kit project that I used has a length of 5-3/8″ when it’s not extended.
Material List
- (1) Wood Blank (approx. 3/4″ x 5″)
- (1) Magnetic Pen Kit
Milling & Assembly
| I started by choosing a wood blank and cutting it about 1/8″ longer than the brass tube included with the kit |
| I glued the tube into the blank using CA glue. |
| Next up I loaded up my mandrel with the blank and guide bushings on each end. There is a separate set of guide bushings available for this kit. I then turned the pen to the shape that I liked. I used a bowl gauge for most of my cuts. |
| After turning the blank I sanded it down using 5 grits of sandpaper ending up at 600 grit. Then I applied a coat of EEE-Ultra shine, followed by a coat of Shellawax. |
| The blank turned out beautiful and assembly was a snap. I completed mine by using a pen press for the end caps, and then simply screwed the cap into the telescoping magnet arm. |
| The completed pen is compact when all together. The cocobolo wood looks beautiful, and this one turned out beautiful. |
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