Unique & Unusual Pens: From the Wood Lathe (Schiffer Book for Woodturners) [Paperback]

Dick Sing (Author), Alison Levie (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

Series: Schiffer Book for Woodturners | Publication Date: September 1997

Once again, Dick Sing makes his mark with his high quality, beautiful pens and pencils. Sharing his skill and expertise at the wood lathe, he teaches you how to make something more than a mere instrument for writingthis is art, a keepsake, a great gift, something to make the turner proud. In his first book on pen turning, Sing provided basic instructions and lots of helpful tips. This book also provides the basics, adding new kinds of pens and variations on some of the old favorites. Tips are given for ways to work with challenging materials or grain alignments to create spectacular results. Dick details methods which make beautiful pens time after time. More than 260 photographs and detailed instructions advise the turner on more than a dozen variations, plus there are sections on the special equipment he has modified to make pen turning easier and improve the quality. A gallery of pens provides inspiration for variety and creativity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Pub Ltd (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764303597
• ISBN-13: 978-0764303593
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,788 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Much better books out there, March 8, 2009

By 

Matt Thompson (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unique & Unusual Pens: From the Wood Lathe (Schiffer Book for Woodturners) (Paperback)

I bought this book together with several others. The kits shown are outdated, and the projects are neither unique or unusual. A better bet is "The Pen Turners Workbook" which gives you more interesting projects and a better written book.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just Ok, September 6, 2005

By 

Alan Dale Daniel (Carson City, Nevada, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unique & Unusual Pens: From the Wood Lathe (Schiffer Book for Woodturners) (Paperback)

The book does contain a lot of pens that are unusual; however, I wanted more information about turning small coves or other decorations. I also wanted some unusual design ideas - not just using different wood or putting in blocks of different wood, but designing the pen itself. Making it easier to hold or write with or changing the balance or length etc for the purpose of improving the product, not just the look.

Anyway, the book does have a lot of pens displayed and gives the pen turner a lot of ideas about changing the look by changing the wood and how the wood is cut and glued together. The key is using different materials for the pen itself.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique guide for pens from wood lathes, December 5, 2007

By 

Mikie "grizzlybear" (Springfield, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Unique & Unusual Pens: From the Wood Lathe (Schiffer Book for Woodturners) (Paperback)

I was most impressed by the different ideas for materials and layouts incorperated into the designs of Dick Sing's pens. He inspired a fresh look into my own designs with some rethinking of some materials to use for more projects.