From Gromit's Lathe

“The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.” ~Neil Gaiman

Who is Gromit?

My husband, Greg, (Gregory D Nicholls) is a funny guy who loves having fun. And, he’s also a very serious artist in his own right and enjoys turning objects d’art. Gromit’s Lathe showcases his turned pens. He will add more objects later.

Gromit’s Lathe got its name from the British cartoon, Wallace & Gromit. Wallace is an inventor and Gromit is his pet pooch. Wallace is a bit haphazard. So, Gromit always ends up rescuing Wallace from his own endeavors. Of course, Gromit is Greg’s favorite hero cartoon character.

How are the pens made?

Greg is not too dangerous on the lathe. He uses proper safety equipment. Currently, he is in the process of learning how to make his own blanks. Blanks are the wood and resin blocks that the pens are turned from. The resin has to be pressurized to rid it of air bubbles. To make the pen:

• First, he drills out the center of the blank to fit the lathe and pen kit.
• Next, he cuts the corners off.
• Then, he turns the blank on the spinning lathe to reveal the beautiful, hidden colors and grains inside.
• Finally, he finishes the cylinders with a polishing process that gives the pen a gleaming sheen.
• After the blank becomes a finished cylinder, he assembles the pen kit components attaching the metal parts.
• In the end, you have a unique, one-of-a-kind, custom-made pen.

These pens are gorgeous, high-quality writing instruments that sit heavy in the hand and promote writing with elegant ease.

More details:

Each pen arrives in a black-velvet-lined box suitable for gifts. Optional plastic, foamed-lined gun cases are available for military, veteran, or weaponry-styled pens for $10.00 each.

Non-custom pens are in the price range of $35.00-$55.00. Custom-made pens can range from $55.00-$200.00 depending on the complexity of pen features. Special metalware, burls, wood types, inlays, resin additives, and so on, can add to the cost.