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I have been asked numerous questions about how to turn a pen.  For example:  "How do I drill a pen blank?" or "How do I use a spindle gouge to turn a pen?" or "How do I sharpen a gouge?" and so on.  The available books dedicated to penturning are a valuable source of information but sometimes a person needs to be shown exactly how a particular step is actually accomplished.
 
I completed an instructional pen turning video who's purpose is to guide a new turner through the entire process of creating a pen.  I am not trying to replace the need for the different books on penturning.  I just wanted to offer the beginner a different instructional medium on the subject.

Topics include: Identifying the different parts of a pen, selecting a blank & marking for grain orientation, cutting the blank using a band saw, drilling the blanks, gluing the tubes inside the blanks, squaring the blanks using a pen mill, sharpening your tools using the Wolverine grinding jig system, turning a pen (I turn a 7mm slimline and a 7mm European using a spindle gouge), finishing each pen (one by buffing and the other using friction polish), and assembly.

The video runs approximately two hours and fifteen minutes.  I paid for the video out of my own pocket without any corporate sponsorship so the opinions on tools, equipment, kits, etc. are strictly my own.  While I am not the same caliber turner as Dick Sing, Kip Christensen or Rex Burningham (to name a few) I have attempted to show how easy it is to create a beautiful writing instrument  and I did it without gluing my fingers together!

The video was filmed by a professional company here in Yuma and I was really amazed at what they accomplished considering who they had to work with (me).  'Old timers' may also learn a thing or two but the subject line is really directed at the beginning pen turner.

Please note:  The DVD is recorded in the -R format.  Some DVD players do not play the -R format.  Check the instruction manual that came with your DVD player or computer to see if this DVD is compatible with your machine.

Some viewer comments that were sent to me....


Hello Sir,

I am kind of new to the pen turning world. I found you video on EBay of all places. I won it as I wanted to learn more about pen turning.  I watched it then watched it again went to my work shop and make a pen that has turned a lot of head's. I have 12 friends now would like me to make one for them now. LOL  I almost gave up on pen turning if it was not for your video I would have never went any further with pen turning. I enjoy turning pens and I really would like to thank you if not for you I would not have a hobby I enjoy so much.

Thank you so much.

Jack A Strait

Hello Bill -

The DVD arrived Friday in good shape. My daughter (Leana, age 13) and I watched it that afternoon. Afterwards I asked if she had seen enough pen making for awhile. She said emphatically "No!  It makes me want to go make pens!."

Once we get going, I'll send you some images. As it stands, it looks like we'll be ordering a fair amount your products in the near future.

Thanks,

Harold O.

I created another Monster!!!!  :>))

Hello, Baumbecks!

Received your video a couple of days ago and wanted you to know how much I enjoyed it  and how helpful it has been!

I have been a woodworker for many years, even did some turning about 10 years ago, but am new to pen turning. Your video really fleshes out the books I have read and provides a valuable "real world" perspective on the process, unlike so much of the contrived and heavily-scripted crap on those "info-mercials" that have taken over almost every late-night cable channel.

Top it all off by the fact that you seem to be a "regular guy," like many of us who  enjoy making sawdust/shavings in what used to be our spare time, and the formula for a successful "how to" video is complete.  And, anybody who enjoys good barbecue and wipes his hands on his pants has got to be a "regular guy."

I'm looking forward to doing business with you in the future. Thanks again for a fine video!

Semper Fi! (Hoo-Rah)

Regards,

John Bauer
Trenton, IL  

Bill,

Just wanted to say thanks for the very rapid service on my order (and for the "eye candy" you added to it!).  I watched the pen turning video over the weekend and am delighted I got it now while I am just beginning pen turning.  I'm sure you've saved me from any number of mistakes (though no doubt I'll still be able to find a few of my own).  Thanks for taking the time to make such a helpful video.

Eileen M. in Woodbridge, VA
 

Hello Mr. Baumbeck,

I received your pen turning video last week and I want to send you these words of thanks.

Your video is simply wonderful. I am a 42 year old police officer which should tell you that I am not big on reading instructions or books. I have three of the four books that you note in your video and as you say I spent plenty of time looking at the photos, but not so much reading the information.

I have forced myself to go back and read the info based off your recommendation.

Anyway, back to the video.  It is really easy to follow. I have a Jet mini lathe as I am just getting started. Not knowing one end from the other, it has been a challenge to figure it out.

Also I was a little intimidated about wood that is spinning towards me...  I have a very nice wood shop and have worked with almost all other tools and machines. Last but not least, I am starting in the lathe realm. Your video answered sooooo many questions. Your demonstrations prove to be the most valuable.

I have turned out my first two pens last night. Too much fun. Burned right through the wood to the tube on the second go round but I am learning.

I cannot thank you enough. Thanks for thinking of people like me.

Have a great day.

Respectfully,

Todd T. in Bastrop, TX
 

BB's DVD was some of the best money I spent when I was 100% clueless and new to the hobby. Now that I'm just 75% clueless, I still find watching it from time to time beneficial.  Each time I watch I tend to catch something I missed before.  All in all, well worth the modest price!

Ben K. in San Antonio, TX

I just wanted to let you know I received the  Pen Turning Video and I have to say that despite other videos I have seen and a class at Woodcraft, I learned more from your virtual classroom than I have from all my former experiences.  You cover all aspects especially finishing, with tips that I have not heard or seen.  Most of the videos out there are short and not enough time is given to any one aspect of the process.  You take a wood blank and we follow you through every step in enough detail so we can come away with a complete understanding of the "process" as opposed to disjointed short segments assuming that we, the beginning turners know something, which most of us do not.

Thank-you and thanks for allowing me to begin pen turning.

Sincerely,

John C. B., M.D. (Miami, FL)
 

...I gotta congratulate you on your movie career. We watched your Pen Video a couple of times so far and now friends want to borrow it. It's great! Julie was just fascinated, and I thought the Candywood pen looked awesome but I may be a bit biased. We buy Shawn guitar instruction videos from time to time that are put out by smaller video houses, and yours is every bit the same caliber and price that they are. A real deal.

Chris H. (Ladysmith, WI)

Hi all,

Received BB's Video yesterday...and sat down and watched.....excellent for beginners and also some of us.......I have been turning pens since 1995 and I found some of Bill's tricks that I never would of thought to do but will be using some of them now.....highly recommend Bill's video.........

Willy in Northeast Ohio

"I got my copy!!!

We watched it last night and it was fantastic! Over 2 hours of detailed instruction. Like getting to stand beside Bill in his workshop and look right over his shoulder as he explains each step to you. And yes, even old timers like me can learn a few tips and tricks from it. I too wish very much I could have had a video like this when I was starting out.  Wow, it would have saved me so much time and frustration as a new pen maker.

Fun to watch, and Bill's subtle jokes are great too - gotta be fast to catch them! - Except for that final quip... . Bill finally found a way to have the last word with females...hmmm, I wonder if I can splice a piece of tape onto the end and create a rebuttal...{;-}
Thoroughly enjoyable and very educational video! The camera man and production company did a super job too. It's more than worth the very modest price for anyone wanting to learn the basics of pen making and more.
Congratulations on a great film debut Bill B.!"

Pat L. (Laguna Beach, CA)

"I got my copy this afternoon.  It is definitely a "must have" for the beginning pen turner.  Lots of very good hints for intermediate pen turners as well.  I have only been able to go through the first half of the video (I am at work after all), but it is very good.  Nice job Bill."

Ben Williams, General Manager, Craft Supplies USA  (Provo, UT)

"Your video arrived yesterday. I had a chance to watch it last night. It was an excellent job. I think you covered the basics and the common questions very well. Nice job. I picked up a few ideas and tips on things that you do differently than I and I am going to try them to see if they work better."  

Kurt H. (Henrietta, NY)

"Got a lot of tips from the video. A lot I was already doing but learned a few tricks that will save me some time and less frustration. An excellent job Bill!  I would highly recommend it to any beginning pen turner or to a semi-adequate pen maker like myself."  

Bernie D. (Durham, ME)
 

"I guess you're ready for the academy, Bill!

Got the tape today and watched it in it's entirety without even refilling  my coffee cup.  Very nicely done, very complete and technically better than most of what's out there.  I got a lot out of it and information I can put to good use right now.

Many thanks for this informative and delightful presentation."

Joel S. (Sparta, NJ)

"Hi Bill,
I got your video in the mail and went directly to the VCR and watched the tape without pausing for a pee break. I have been turning for a while, but still got several tips from the tape. My wife came into the room when you made the crack about not being perfect..... Anyhow great tape! "

Bob R. (Aroda, VA)

"Bill,

Great video!!  Enjoyed it greatly and learned a heck of a lot.  Glad I was able to view it before I got very far into pen turning.  Probably saved me mucho dinero!  I'll be calling some for some more pen blanks as well as some stabilized wood for fishing rods.  Thanks!"

Frank M. (Bonita Springs, FL)

"All:

I have to first say that this is an unsolicited endorsement. 

New turners:

Before going out and buying all kinds of new tools and supplies, buy Bill Baumbeck's video.  I watched it last night and I wish that I saw this video when I started 4 months ago.  It would have saved me a lot of time, heartbreak (due to ruined pen blanks), and most of all; money.  I would have also been turning a much better quality pen sooner.  I can't say enough about this video.

New members:

You will see people in here refer to using "BB" blanks.  These are Bill Baumbeck's blanks.  He sells the largest assortment of exotic and stabilized pen blanks, period.  I bought some of these as well and I can tell you first hand that when you see people rave about them, there is good reason for it.  These are exceptionally nice blanks folks. 

Thanks Bill."

John H. (Sanbornville, NH)

"I just received Bill B's new video and I think a lot of you that are in the business of pen making are not going to like this little endeavor of his. He will get all those people that want to try but are afraid to or have giving up, making pens in short order. 

Bill, this is just what us newbies really needed. After watching it just one time I found at least four mistakes that I made and way too many hints and tips to make the job much easier then I can count. The only thing that I, being a beginner, can criticize is you just needed to explain why the guide that you used to assemble the slimline on the arbor press was longer then the finished pen assembly. My first instinct is why not make it exact and then just assemble! After thinking about it, I guess that if your lower barrel was to long or short, it leaves room for adjusting. Am I right on that assumption?   (Bill's answer: Yes)

Other then that you answered every question I had and some that I did not know I had. Bill, thank you for a great job on a product that is sorely needed."

Fred H. (Fairview, TN)