Turning Pens and Desk Accessories (Paperback)

by Mike Cripps (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Fifty years ago, the fountain pen was an expensive, and very personal, prized possession. Once deposed by mass produced ball points, the fountain pen is making an elegant return through the wood turners art. Michael Cripps takes the reader through every step necessary to create elegant pens (fountain and ball point alike) with turned hardwood outer surfaces in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each step is illustrated from the turners perspective with detailed color photographs. Additional instructions are provided for creating desk accessories including letter openers and magnifying glasses with beautiful hardwood handles. Ladies' pens and perfume applicators round out the text. A gallery provides a view of the finished products. This book is wonderful for turners of all skill levels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764300512
• ISBN-13: 978-0764300516
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #388,519 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Photographs Galore show you how!!, September 9, 2000

By	Alan C. Taylor (Canandaigua, NY USA) - See all my reviews

I am researching information on pen turning on the wood lathe. This book is short on words, but long on beautiful full color photographs that show you how. There are pictures showing each step in the process along with a brief caption that explains the steps. The finished product is shown to depict the end result. Instructions are shown for various types of pens as well as letter openers, perfume dispenser pens, and magnifying glasses. Short sections also explain the tools and lathes that are best to use for the projects. Highly recommend this book to the beginner pen maker, or someone that wants to see the beauty of various materials used.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay, but no real information, September 27, 2003

By	George N. Appenzeller "nappen" (Richmond Hill, Ga USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is adequate if you want a brief, step by step, follow the picture book. If you want any real information the I sugest that you find a copy of "turning pens and pencils" by Christensen and Burningham. It covers the topic in much greater detail, with a much larger gallery.
As for the details of this book. There is four pages of text, followed by a short and basic lathe section (how to use tools and the lathe) and then a 40 page section on turning the various items. This sounds impressive, but each page contains 2-4 photos with very little explination. With this book, you will be able to turn a pen quite adequately, but you will only have "enough to get by with."
Basically, it is a nice addition to your library and a good primer, but if you can have only one book, go with something else.