General Information
(FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions)

WHAT DO I NEED TO GET STARTED?
1. Woodturning Lathe
You will need a woodturning lathe to turn the wood or acrylic to create your Penn State Industries Products. Click here to see a comparison chart of Penn State Industries Lathes. Please note these charts are Adobe Acrobat PDF files and require Acrobat Reader on your computer.

2. Mandrel
A. This lathe accessory allows you to mount the brass tubes and wood or acrylic blanks to the lathe for turning.
B. If you already own a woodturning lathe and would like to adapt it for making our project kits, you would need to purchase a universal chuck and/or universal drill chuck mandrel.

3. Lathe Projects Kits
Lathe Project Kits include all the instructions and hardware components (except wood or acrylic) needed to fabricate the selected project. Appropriate bushings are required. (Note: "What are Bushings?")

4. Finishing Supplies
Lacquers, waxes, polishes and abrasives are available to professionally finish your project.

5. Optional Accessories
A. Barrel Trimmer
Squares the wood and brass ends of your glued up blank prior to turning.
B. Pen Tube Insertion Tool
Simplifies inserting your glued up pen tubes into your pen blanks.
C. Project Assembly Press
Presses together your turned project blanks to assemble your finished project.
D. Pen and Pencil Disassembly Tools
Use these tools to remove pressed on parts from assembled pens and pencils. Salvages parts and allows refinishing barrels.
E. Duplicator
The optional Lathe Duplicator Attachments and Templates simplify the task of turning multiple profiles. Your students will immediately be able to make curves and produce more complicated projects. The duplicator can easily be removed for hand turning.

WHAT IS A DUPLICATOR?
The optional Lathe Duplicator Attachments and Templates simplify the task of turning multiple profiles. Your students will immediately be able to make curves and produce more complicated projects. The duplicator can easily be removed for hand turning.
Duplicating attachments are available for the Carba-Tec, Ryobi, Jet, Delta and Record Lathes. Click here for more information.

WHAT IS A MANDREL?
This lathe accessory allows you to mount the brass tubes and wood or acrylic blanks to the lathe for tuning. All Penn State Industries Lathe Project Kits (regardless of tube diameter) can be made on the same mandrel with the addition of appropriate bushings.

WHAT ARE BUSHINGS?
Bushings serve two purposes:
1. Guide for the final diameter of the wood or acrylic on the tubes.
2. Makes it easier to mount the tubes onto your mandrel.
Different style kits require the purchase of different bushings.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A LATHE PROJECT KIT?
A Lathe Project Kit includes all the instructions and hardware components (except wood or acrylic) needed to fabricate the selected project. Appropriate bushings are required. (Note "What are Bushings?" above)

WHAT WOOD OR ACRYLIC IS AVAILABLE FROM PENN STATE INDUSTRIES FOR LATHE PROJECTS KITS?
For pens and smaller projects, we stock standard, exotic, and rare species of woods as well as colorful acrylic blanks in either pre-drilled or solid and ready for drilling. For larger projects, we carry turning stock (1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 12"L, 2" x 2" x 12" L) and Bowl Blanks (2" x 5" x 5"). A recommended wood size is listed with each projects’ description.

DO YOU ACCEPT PURCHASE ORDERS?
We accept purchase orders. They can either be mailed to
Penn State Industries School Products Division
9900 Global Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
or faxed to (215) 676-3716.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LATHES?
Please click here for lathe comparison charts.

WHAT FINISHING SUPPLIES ARE REQUIRED?
Lacquers, waxes, polishes and abrasives are available to professionally finish your project. Click here to see Penn State Finishing Supplies.

WHICH ACCESSORIES WOULD BE USEFUL?
1. Barrel Trimmer- Squares the wood and brass ends of your glued up blank prior to turning.
2. Pen Tube Insertion Tube- Simplifies inserting your glued up pen tubes into your pen blanks.
3. Project Assemble Press- Presses together your turned project blanks to assemble your finished project.
4. Pen and Pencil Disassembly Tools - Use these tools to remove pressed on parts from assembled pens and pencils. Salvages parts and allows refinishing barrels.

WHAT AGE STUDENTS WOULD THIS SYSTEM BE APPROPRIATE FOR?
Most of our students are in Junior and Senior High.
For our elementary students, we recommend the Pen Making Lathe.

COULD STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES USE THIS SYSTEM?
Students with physical and learning disabilities are involved with the Penn State Industries lathes and project kits. The projects are easy to make and fun and rewarding for all abilities.

IS THERE A LESSON PLAN AVAILABLE FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL?
A free lesson plan is available for both the junior and senior high school. Please call our toll free number or e-mail us for your copy.

CAN THIS PROGRAM BRING MONEY BACK INTO THE SCHOOL?
It generally costs about $4 to make a pen ("Slimline" pen plus wood blank). Schools usually sell the pens for between $10 and $15.
In addition, Penn State Mini-Lathes are portable and could be set up at PTA meetings and school holiday bazaars. We have been told students making pens at these events cannot keep up with the demand for the pens and have to take backorders.

HOW MUCH CLASSROOM TIME IS NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM?
The corporate lesson plan could be altered to fit into any available time frame from a few weeks to a semester program.

CAN THIS BE PROGRAM BE USED TO RAISE MONEY FOR AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS?
Penn State Industries pens, pencils and other projects are fun to make and easy to sell. They make great gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation. For instance, it generally costs about $4 to make a pen ("Slimline" pen plus wood blank). Schools usually sell the pens for between $10 and $15.

ARE THERE COMPARISION CHARTS AVAILABLE TO HELP ME DETERMINE WHICH LATHE OR DUST SYSTEM IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Please click here for the Lathe Comparison Chart, and the Dust Collection System Comparison Chart. Please note these charts are Adobe Acrobat PDF files and require Acrobat Reader on your computer.

IS THERE TOLL FREE TECHNICAL SUPPORT?
Please call 1-800-847-8984 for toll free technical support.

CAN I BE CALLED IN THE EVENING?
Please call Pam at 1-800 847-8984 or e-mail her at [email protected] with the time, day and telephone number where you can be reached.

ARE THERE OTHER SCHOOLS IN MY AREA I COULD CONTACT?
Please call Pam at 1-800 847-8984 or e-mail her at [email protected] with your request.

DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNT SCHOOL EQUIPMENT PACKAGES?
We offer a discounted breakdown of typical equipment and project supplies need for classes of 15, 25 and 35 students. Typical equipment packages include: mini lathes, instructional video, 24 kt. gold plated project kits, wood project blanks, safety equipment, and finishing supplies. Click here for our School Equipment Packages.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR FREE SAMPLE LESSON PLAN?
The Sample Lesson Plan covers a typical program developed by middle and high school Industrial Technology teachers at a large suburban school district. To motivate and increase students learning potential and growth, the approach is highly creative, hands-on and cross-curriculum. The curriculum integrates the creation of woodworking products with the following components: business techniques of setting up a company, marketing, profit and loss determination, and manufacturing; entrepreneurial skills involving creative thinking, working with others, problem solving, and planning and organization.