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Trusted /
Trusted /
You've mastered pens. Now build pepper mills, cheese knives, and gifts that get noticed.
Same spindle skills as pens. Watch the turning, shaping, and hardware installation.
Watch the turning, precision drilling, and mechanism installation process.
Cheese knives (simplest). Pepper and salt mills (daily-use tools). Seam rippers (unique gifts). All perfect for weddings and special occasions.
All kits include hardware and mechanisms. Blanks sold separately. Assembly instructions online.
Always great kits, will always buy again.
Seam Ripper Kits - Chrome
Still working on my handle but looks great.
Seam Ripper Kits - Gold
Nice item, will make a pair at the shed next Wednesday.
Antique Salt & Pepper Mill
Progress Your Skills — Video tutorials and expert techniques
Toolbox Tips — Product recommendations and how-tos
In the Shed — See what fellow makers are creating
Wood Academy Updates — Early access to classes and events
Start with a Fancy Slimline pen. It's the fastest path to a finished project (1-2 hours), uses minimal tools, and builds the foundation skills you'll use for everything else. Once you've made a few pens, move to a cheese knife or pepper mill.
You can, but we don't recommend it. Pens teach you spindle turning, drilling accuracy, and finishing techniques in a low-stakes, low-cost project. Those same skills make pepper mills and other projects much easier. Think of pens as your practice round.
At minimum: a lathe, basic turning chisels (roughing gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool), drill bits, and sandpaper. For pens, you'll also need a pen mandrel. For functional projects, you may need larger drill bits or forstner bits for mechanism installation. Check each kit description for specific requirements.
No, timber blanks are sold separately. All kits include hardware and mechanisms only. This lets you choose your preferred timber species and grade. Check each product page for recommended blank sizes.
Hardwoods work best for durability and finish quality. Popular choices: walnut (dark, elegant), maple (light, clean), jarrah (Australian, rich red), oak (traditional, strong grain). Avoid soft timbers like pine for functional projects that see regular use. Start with domestic hardwoods before investing in exotics.
Absolutely. Handmade pens, pepper mills, and cheese knives have high perceived value and real utility. They're perfect for Father's Day, weddings, housewarmings, retirements, and Christmas. People appreciate the craftsmanship and use them daily. The seam ripper is especially thoughtful for sewers and quilters.
