Getting back in the pen saddle...

[sfurini]

Been a long time since I made a pen. Got back in the saddle tonight after having done a lot of cutting up tree trunk I've acquired.

Kitless pen started in some purple alumilite I cast late last year. Tonight I managed to make the tenon on the barrel,sand it, cut the cap thread and tap for the nib section.

Pictures below of the process. For any interested in starting the kitless journey the tenon is about 5mm long and a diameter of about 11.8mm for a triple start M12 x 0.8mm thread. The nib thread is drilled with an 8.2mm drill bit and the thread is M9 x 0.75mm.

It's the first pen work I've done on my new Wivamac lathe and I definitely need a shorter tool rest!

 

[Phil Dart]

Nice work Stewart. How well did the alumilite take the thread?

 

[sfurini]

Cheers, Phil.
The alumilite takes threads beautifully - I use a spray-on cooking spray as lubricant to ease things along. Thread cutting on alumilite is so much easier than polyester resin which I've tried in the past but found too brittle.

 

[Jim]

Thanks for showing the images Stewart, i am sure these will help many a new starter go to kitless pens my friend ..

Good to see you back at the lathe also ..

I can concur with you regarding the Alumilite taking a good thread, i will go as far as saying it is as good as Ebonite ..

 

[sfurini]

Cheers, Les
I've yet to have a go with ebonite but it's on the list of things to try - I bought some from a pipe-making supplier in Germany about 5 years ago and it's been sitting in the drawer waiting for the right moment...

 

[Gloomwriter]

Stewart

A bit beyond my capabilities at the moment, but very interesting to see the steps involved. How do you control the starting positions for the triple threads?

Roger

 

[Penpal]

Like the way you hold the tap using both the round and square backed up by the tapholder.

Peter.

 

[bassethound]

Great post mate thanks..

 

[brody2123]

Thanks for sharing this Stewart. I'm storing info for my first venture into kitless at some point. Glad you're back turning pens and enjoying yourself

 

[sfurini]

Thanks all for your kind comments. Hope to make further progress today...

Stewart

A bit beyond my capabilities at the moment, but very interesting to see the steps involved. How do you control the starting positions for the triple threads?

Roger

Hi Roger - no control at all of the starting position. I just put the die in holder and turn it. With this being a plain blank I don't have to worry about matching the cap to the barrel (which would only match up once out of three possiblilities).

 

[wm460]

Very nice work Stewart , I will follow this with interest.

 

[Bill Mooney]

A very informative WIP. Stewart.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Looking good so far Stewart

 

[edlea]

Great set of pics thanks for showing how its done.

 

[Macaronytony]

Thanks for showing the images Stewart, just about to have a go at a kittless so your timing is perfect.

 

[sfurini]

Got a little more done today but procrastination was running high as I decided I needed a digital readout for drilling to depth...

My notes from earlier kitless rollervalls showed I needed a hole for the refill that was 65.4mm. What a crazy level of precision needed! My new DRO came in really handy...just a very cheap digital caliper from eBay, a saw, some wood and spray paint and at last a workshop use for the seat post clamps I bought ten years ago?

Once drilled I started turning the barrel to size with light tailstock support. Ideally I'd have less of the blank sticking out bit I'm using a spindle thread adapter and I can't get any more of the blank onto the collet. I aim for about 15mm and ill do the final shaping on a closed end mandrel later. I'm thinking of putting a different coloured inset into the end...

I used a round skew for the shaping but I can only get the toolrest within 30mm of the blank. I'd much rather be closer...New short tool rest on my shopping list!

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Macaronytony]

brilliant idea that seat post clamp, loving this Stewart.

 

[Scots Bill]

yes thank for the information guys but a bit beyond me at the moment also.

 

[sfurini]

No progress today...but a first trip to Toolpost tomorrow...gulp...hope I can be sensible with spending....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Pierre---]

The nib thread is drilled with an 8.2mm drill bit and the thread is M9 x 0.75mm.

You like to go on the narrow side for drilling, it seems. Any reason?