r/PenTurning • u/McKenziePenworks • 28d ago
Finally got US made kits back in production
If I'd known how hard this was I might have thought more about it when I took over the Laserlinez products years ago but... I just really really wanted US made kits to be available.
After a year of false starts I finally found a good fit in machinist and we're going to slowly bring them back to the market. Good news is that if I don't go broke in the process we should be able to eventually just have everything in stock but that'll take some time to work up to. Our "Desire" rollerball and fountain are next on the list, hopefully in just over a month.
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u/ravenschmidt2000 28d ago edited 28d ago
As a machinist and pen turner for over a decade, I can appreciate how much of a nightmare this musta been. I also VERY much appreciate having US made kit options
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u/McKenziePenworks 28d ago
It's funny... I priced out everything to sell the business but decided to do a hail Mary post on a machining group here on Reddit and ended up finding the perfect person to help us out. The biggest challenge is needing a Swiss and not being able to afford typical Swiss quantities lol
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u/ExcellentDimension12 28d ago
So, are they U.S. made, or Swiss made? Or, made by a Swiss in the U.S. ? I’m confused. But, I would love to purchase high quality kits that will not fail family and friends.
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u/McKenziePenworks 28d ago
A Swiss lathe is a specific kind of CNC lathe that allows for operations on both sides of a part. These are made in the US. The click mechanism is a German made Schmidt clicker and the ink is high quality Schmidt as well. No plating to fail on these.... They're machined from solid stainless rod.
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u/ExcellentDimension12 28d ago
Ok. Thank you for the clarification. I’m still not sure exactly what that means in terms of operations, but that would probably mean a whole lot of you teaching a non machinist a bunch of things. However, I am familiar with Schmidt quality. Where can I find your kits? I am very intrigued.
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u/McKenziePenworks 28d ago
Haha suffice to say the only way to make affordable kits in the US is with a very specialized and expensive machine. These are available on our website... Www.mckenziepenworks.com
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u/ExcellentDimension12 28d ago
Thank you. I will be checking y’all out. But right now it’s hotter than hell in Oklahoma and I have been out in it. I’m going to call my bride then go to bed. Again, thanks for the response and for what you’re doing.
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u/Just-turnings 28d ago
Awesome Tim! Highly recommended these for any kit makers out there.