I use a piece of plastic hose inserted in the end of my vacuum’s crevice tool to remove chips from hollow forms with small openings. Most of the chips go up the tube and what doesn’t is withdrawn with the tube just like using a spoon to scrape out the shavings. You don’t even have to shut off the lathe! A clear tube is best because you can see what’s going up it. Vacuum pressure can be controlled by regulating the crevice tool’s opening with your fingers (by Scott Clark)

You can make sure that you get your pen barrels straight with the use of a miniature straight edge. Cleanly cut a piece of hardwood 1/8” thick by ¾” tall and about 2 ½” long. Lay this straight edge along your barrel and shine a light from the back side. You’ll clearly see any gaps between the two indicating a curved surface. (by Scott Clark)