About Us
Turn Raw To Awe
Why we do what we do.
At Penn State Industries, we believe in the power of making. In the hands of a woodturner, a block of raw material becomes something functional, beautiful—even meaningful. That act of transformation is what drives us. It's what connects us to every hobbyist, artist, and maker who chooses to turn raw into awe. We’re not here just to sell pen kits and turning tools. We’re here to empower your creativity. We exist to help you turn raw materials into something awesome—and feel awesome doing it.
Penn State Industries was founded in 1936 by Benjamin and Bernard Levy in a small Philadelphia shop. What began as a wholesale stationery business slowly evolved—first into woodworking, then into a focused line of tools and kits for small project makers.
In the 1980s, the second generation stepped in. Marvin Levy, a lifelong woodworker, and his brother Ed Levy, an engineer by training, brought hands-on craftsmanship and technical problem-solving to the business. With their combined experience, they helped transform PSI from a wholesale operation into a creative brand built around accessibility, innovation, and maker success.
They also saw an opportunity: professional-grade tools were expensive and out of reach for many hobbyists. By sourcing globally and designing in-house, Marvin and Ed found a way to make high-quality woodworking products more accessible—starting with a scroll saw and dust collection equipment. That foundation eventually expanded into woodturning, which has become the heart of what we do today. From pen kits and mini lathes to turning tools, blanks, and accessories, Penn State Industries grew into a go-to source for small project woodturners around the world.
But what began as a smart business decision grew into something more. We saw customers turning a block of raw wood into something beautiful. We saw beginners becoming creators. We saw people light up when they made something with their own two hands—and gave it as a gift, or sold it at a show. That transformation is what drives us. Today, Penn State Industries is still family-run. And while the company has grown, the goal remains simple:
Quality
At Penn State Industries, quality isn’t confined to just one product—it’s the foundation across everything we make. Whether it’s a pen kit, a wood or acrylic blank, a chisel, a chuck, or a lathe, we design and test each piece to perform beautifully on its own and in harmony with the others.
Innovation
From Bolt Action Pen Kits to Pen Mandrel Savers, we invent products that help solve real turning challenges—or spark ideas for your next masterpiece. If it’s going to help you make something awesome, we’re going to try to make it.
Investment
We’ve designed thousands of products, each built to make the experience more rewarding—whether you’re a weekend hobbyist or a seasoned pro. We don’t recycle ideas. We invest in new ones.2
Integrity
We test relentlessly. Every product goes through multiple rounds of hands-on evaluation for tolerance, ease of use, and reliability. If something doesn’t meet our standards, it doesn’t launch. Even if that means waiting months. Because it’s worth it.
At Penn State Industries, we believe great turning starts with great materials—across every category we offer. Whether it’s a pen kit, a turning blank, a chisel, or a lathe, every component is chosen to make your experience smoother, your results more beautiful, and your time in the shop more enjoyable.
- Kits are engineered so that every part fits precisely, assembles easily, and functions reliably—right out of the box.
- Blanks are selected for their turning behavior and finish quality. From richly figured hardwoods to high-polish acrylics, they’re chosen to work beautifully on the lathe and in your hand.
- Tools and chucks are made for everyday performance: sharp edges, solid grip, consistent quality, and value that lasts.
- Lathes are built to give you power, reliability, and ease of use—without overcomplication or price tag inflation.
We don’t just select materials for aesthetics—we choose them to help you succeed, whether you’re making your first pen or tuning up your process for the fiftieth. The result is a turning system where each element works in harmony with the next. So you spend less time fussing—and more time creating.