Nice Starter Set, 11.17.2009

Reviewer: Michael Doubek (Grey Eagle, MN)

This was a 2 week lets look at everything and price out everything and relook at everything and decide it's a good deal and she tells you that she will need a pint of blood besides. But all things aside this is a great kit. It has everything. The only thing I do not like is the plastic handles on the tailstock and the tool rest, they should be metal I have one that is stripped out. There are other things you will need but you will make a pen in as little as 15 to 30 min so GO For It Michael

great, 11.17.2009

Reviewer: vincent ottersbach (st. charles, MO)

Very Happy with the whole starter set

A great start, 11.13.2009

Reviewer: Dylan Vanderhoof (Everett, WA)

Excellent value for a starting lathe. The pen kits are nice, although a little variety would probably make it more interesting. My only gripe is that the handle and bolt holding the motor release level is fairly cheap and doesn't handle abuse well if you're frequently changing the pulley setting.

Turncrafter Pro 1/2HP Variable Speed Midi Lathe, 11.12.2009

Reviewer: Roger Hornsby (Huntsville, AL)

Since I have received my Turncraft Pro I have used every spare moment turning pens. The mechine realy is a great deal, And I have enjoyed every moment with it. I never knew I had the patience and skills to use it. I highly recommend it to all of my friends who may be interested in turning pens.

A great starter package, 9.17.2009

Reviewer: Ron Young (Brighton CO, CO)

Your starter package is working out great. I have completed 10 of the included slimline pen and pencil sets. I am looking forward to trying out your different styles and more exotic blanks. Thanks for introducing me to a great past time that hopefully I'll be able to turn into a for profit endeavor.

Great for starting, 9.8.2009

Reviewer: Ardell Fuhrmann (Henderson, NV)

This is a great starter set, it comes with everything you need to get going on turning. The two catches are that the wood blanks do not all match up in color, and the lathe is not very high end. It is good for pens, but not much else, and I am not talking about the size of the lathe.

Great, 8.18.2009

Reviewer: Allan Carter (Fullerton, CA)

I was very pleased with the purchase. It was my first experience turning pens on my own. I love it, its alot of fun. I love the variable speed, it makes it easier to use.

Pen Making Starter Set, 8.18.2009

Reviewer: Thomas Garner (Athens, AL)

This is such a great kit. I never dreamed that the kit was so complete and easy to use. I made my first pen in about 20 minutes and was really impressed. One of the finest machines I have ever used. The instructions given in the DVD were just great and left no question unanswered. I look forward to many years of woodworking and many years of dealing with Penn State Ind. I am really impressed. I am telling everyone.

TurnCrafter Pro, 8.11.2009

Reviewer: Guy Gagot (Sacramento, CA)

The unit was to my surprise very easy to use. It has great functionality and I was up and running making pens within the hour. I am a beginner in this process and am now hooked!

good, 7.28.2009

Reviewer: Rod Keen (Visalia, CA)

Overall I am very satisfied with my order. However, the chisel kit's box was broken in pieces beyond repair and I ended up going and buying some Gorilla glue because the epoxy that came with the kit doesn't work so well. Again, my overall opinion is good. I am making pens and enjoying it very much.

Beginner, 7.21.2009

Reviewer: John Rocchio (Bushkill, PA)

This is a great beginner set up. You get everything you need to start.

An excellent Value, 7.18.2009

Reviewer: Daniel Horowitz (Bucksport, ME)

I have been looking for a packaged lathe for a while and ended up purchasing the Turncrafter Pro. Set-up was very easy, and within 15 minutes I was off and turning. The only change I would make to this kit is rather than using the small barrel trimmer I would charge another $20 and add the upgraded barrel trimming kit. But other than that it is a nice package.

midi lathe varible speed, 7.6.2009

Reviewer: Ferdinand Roth (Washington, NJ)

The tail stock moves on the bed when pressure is put on. It takes 2 or 3 times to set the tail stock. I like everything else..I love the variable speed.

SUPER PEN MAKING STARTER SET WITH TURNCRATER PRO, 6.9.2009

Reviewer: LC CALDWELL (ARP, TX)

EXCELLENT DOCUMENTATION ON THE DVD AND ALL THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT INCLUDED.

Great Pen Maker, 6.2.2009

Reviewer: Sandra Johnson (Gentry, AR)

The Turncrafter Pro Variable Speed Midi Lathe is an excellent product. We ordered the complete Pen Making Kit and were able to start the day it arrived. My husband and kids have already made several pen and pencil sets and we are going to order more supplies very soon.

AWESOME MACHINE, 5.14.2009

Reviewer: Paul Shelp (Davenport, FL)

I had never made a pen/pencil before but when my kit arrived I was making pens within the hour and a week later sold enough to get my original investment back. This kit is great! Comes complete with every thing you need to get started.. along with DVD NICE.

Super Pen Making Starter set W/Variable Lathe, 4.29.2009

Reviewer: Mike Delgado (Vallejo, CA)

I found the whole starter set to be all that I expected. The lathe has no vibration being a newcomer to the turners world, I found the starter set to have the right products to start the learning process. Thanks for a great product.

super pen making kit, 4.1.2009

Reviewer: Sam Pettineo (Lake Bluff, IL)

Lost shipment for several weeks. Lathe foot damaged on delivery. Customer service sent replacement within two days. Very happy. I thought the pen blanks were a little on the cheap side, but the pen kits seemed to be of above average quality. Everything else was fine and I'm very happy overall with your products and services.

owner, 3.12.2009

Reviewer: Steve Saiko (Centerville, MN)

When my order came in, which it did in pretty quick time, I found that everything was there and packed very good. Nothing was broken or marred. I soon had the system set up and turned about 3 pens. Everything works great.

Poor Speed Control and Incomplete Package, 3.11.2009

Reviewer: Christian Beisel (Colchester, CT)

I ordered the Starter Set with the Variable Speed Lathe on 2/15. PSI was nice enough to email me on 2/16 to say the mandrel was backordered and my order would not ship for about a week or two. I received part of my order on 2/26, but not the dvd or pen press. It took a call to PSI to find that both items were backordered and may take as long as April to get. Additionally, the speed control on the lathe motor is not responsive for 50% of the time it is powered on (defaults to the highest speed for the belt setting regardless of the position of the speed control potentiometer). It also randomly speeds up to full speed even when I can get it to start on a slower speed or dialed down to a slower speed. PSI said I can send it back so they can take a look at it (at my expense to ship it back) which would leave me without a working lathe for who knows how long (still weighing whether or not to bother sending it back or to just accept it as a more expensive non-variable speed lathe). Other than the speed control issues (and getting my full order in a timely manner or notification of 1+ month backorders on products paid for in full) the lathe seems to be well built and the head and tail stocks are more or less in line. I turned a couple of pens already (with poor results at assembly with my makeshift press). The mandrel has been comfortable and easy to use despite the occasional surprise of the speed control revving up the motor on its own. The weight of the lathe makes it pretty stable and it runs fairly quiet. The assortment of pen kits that comes with the set is not bad and the blanks have been sufficient to learn with. The additional supplies and tools included (can't speak for the press, yet) have been useful in finishing the pens, and even without the instructional dvd I found "how to turn a pen" videos on youtube to figure out how to get started. A working speed control would probably have boosted the rating to 4 stars, but that combined with the lack of a full order delivered in a reasonable time (or even notice of why the full order wasn't shipped) or a better resolution on making sure I had a fully working product with minimal impact on me (the customer) made that impossible.

Review: Super Pen Making Starter Set with Turncrafter Pro 1/2HP Variable Speed Midi Lathe, 3.11.2009

Reviewer: Terry Martin (Vero Beach, FL)

The pen-making starter set from Penn State is an excellent value and a great way to begin the pen-making process. However, the Variable Speed motor and switch box controller shipped with the Turncrafter Pro Midi Lathe has proved to be very, very fragile. My associate who received his Midi lathe January '09 is still waiting for his third (3rd) motor & controller combo. The first two burned out in just days. Flimsy plastic handles provided for tightening the tail stock & tool rest base further detract from this lathe's durability & quality. Bottom line. Look further.

Outstanding Experience!, 3.10.2009

Reviewer: Bernard Arel (Westhampton, MA)

The starter kit was everything you advertised it to be. There was plenty of products with the set to get right into making pens. At this time it's only a hobby, but this kit has really got me wanting to make a lot more items. Lots of Fun!!!!!!!!!!!

Mini-Lathe Starter Set, 3.10.2009

Reviewer: Mike Wagoner (Sutherlin, OR)

I am very pleased with the mine-lathe. The price and goodies that came with it was great savings.

Great Starter Set, 3.10.2009

Reviewer: Richard Hartman (Cranberry Twp, PA)

I have never turned anything before. I purchased the starter set and got everything I needed to turn great looking pens. The set of tools and the CD instructions are easy to use and will get you on your way to turning pns and other projects.

some good, some not, 2.27.2009

Reviewer: Eric Jackson (Suisun City, CA)

I got my starter set and the top of the lathe was attached backwards with an old belt (yellowed) inside. I had to go online to figure out how the unit was to be together and how to replace the belt. The box did have a new belt in it, but was that supposed to be an extra belt?? or was that supposed to be on the lathe already? Also, one of the rubber foot(?) was damaged and there was a few chips on the machine. To me it was apparent that it was a returned machine. I haven't had any trouble with the machine or any of the supplies they sent(the stuff in the kit). I have made about 60 or so pens and had to sharpen my gouge already. I don't know if that is normal or not. I feel the lathe and supplies is a good buy, I"m just dissapointed with the company sending out a product that was not new.

Good Setup for the Beginner!, 10.15.2008

Reviewer: Justin Nelson (pittsburg, CA)

I recently began turning pens and stumbled upon this deal. For the price I figured I would give it a try and hope for the best. The quality of the items received is great for the most part. The chisels stay sharp, the lathe runs nice and smooth, and the finishing products are perfect for the beginner, although I opted to add micro-mesh to my order for a better finish. The only problem I have with the set is that the blanks included are impossible to match the grain. On first appearance they seem to be cut from one block in two layers of two rows each but when I opened the pack, and I did so carefully I discovered this was not the case. Either way, this is still a great set for learning to turn as most beginners will likely focus more on picking up the desired skills rather then on grain matching their first several pieces. Also, the variable speed control is a huge help while turning it allows me to go from roughing to polishing without having to stop and change anything. The highest of the three pulleys has a range of speed that coverers all my needs for pen turning.

Beginners look elsewhere, 6.14.2008

Reviewer: Bill Bessette (alpharetta, GA)

The shipping was really fast but perhaps that is because I didn't receive parts of my kit. I didn't receive the DVD or the mandrel, so I couldn't make pens. I e-mailed and got no response. I went and bought a mandrel myself. There are no instructions for the lathe so if you are truly a beginner you better look elsewhere. I am using it based on trial and error so I still don't know if I'm doing it right. The wood included is of very poor quality and doesn't turn well. When I started buying higher quality blanks, the pens came out much nicer.

Great Item, 6.3.2008

Reviewer: Sofia Lenard (Cleveland, OH)

I love this Starter Set, it is the best thing that I have ever gotten & I am now flourishing in my local area w/ pens & pencils all thanks to PSI Woodturning & this kit.