50 Cal, 11.17.2009

Reviewer: DONALD PEMBER (SAN DIEGO, CA)

Very easy to do.

.50 cal round pen, 10.27.2009

Reviewer: Robert Simmons (Ada, MI)

This is a great kit. It's easy to turn and easy to construct. It would be an excellent first project. The completed pen is a great conversation starter, especially for people with military service in their background. While the finished is a bit back heavy, it is still very useful as a pen - not just a curiousity.

50 Cal pen kit, 10.6.2009

Reviewer: James Pence (Klamath Falls, OR)

I have made 5 of these kits. The 7mm brass tube (bullet part) that slides inside the threaded plastic tube in the cartridge case is too loose. The bullet head moves too much from side to side. I have to replace the brass tube in this pen kit to get the tight fit that I want. The brass cartridges furnished with the kit are sometimes pretty beat up with bent mouths and link marks in the sides. Obviously fired in a machine gun. This makes it hard to get a super smooth finish on the cartridge. I think the price is on the high side for the quality of the kit. This pen appeals to the war vets but is more of an desk display than a good feeling writing instrument. The pens I built where good looking and the reaction of people who have looked at them has been favorable. I plan to make more kits in the future for my veteran friends.

great pen, 9.9.2009

Reviewer: joe bailey (kearns, UT)

I ordered 4 of them thinking I would be able to make one for myself. I took it to work and sold all of them and had to order more kits.

Great Kit, 8.25.2009

Reviewer: Ken Ruis (Plant City, FL)

This is one of the favorites of vets. I am making more than I thought I would because of all the orders for them. Needs plating on the brass to hold finish.

Fantastic Seller!!!!, 8.14.2009

Reviewer: James Harris (Chesapeake, VA)

I just purchased 2 of these kits and the ease in which it goes together is amaze]ing. The first one was sold before I could get it off the lathe and I already have an order for the second one. I guess I need to order more. Great Kit Penn State!!

Conversation piece, 8.10.2009

Reviewer: Stephanie Pace (Belvidere, IL)

I have made just about every pen kit out there, and my husband dutifully admires each and every one. However, when I made this .50 cal kit, he couldn't stop talking about it. He took it with him to show his buddies, some of whom know guys in the service, and all of them want one. If I could get the kits I could make a mint!!!! Easy to make using cutoffs from other pen blanks or scraps, and the guys really are intrigued by the fact that these are "real" brass actually fired from a gun. I think the real-ness outweighs the lack of a pretty finish!

Very Impressive, 6.16.2009

Reviewer: Richard Iozzo (Mount Vernon, NY)

This is a great conversation piece and easy to build. I like the fact that you can vary the length, this makes the pen even more unique. The only real criticism I have is the finish on the cartridge need to be enhanced by polishing and clear coating. It would be an even nicer pen if it were plated like the 30 caliber twist pen.