A very nice man

[Grump]

Postman shoved an envelope through door this moaning containing some of those threaded slimlines.
Thank you very much Paul you're a very nice man, a very very nice man.
Complete with appropriate bushes, who could ask for more, just like Christmas init?

First thoughts on these, I like the look of em.
They make you think when making these up as the threads are all different sizes, not the way I would have designed it but they have their reasons I don't suppose.
Therefore a mark of the blanks is called for to ensure turning the right way round n stuff, only I think if your gonna change the belt which I will.
The hat n boots are same diameter but different threads.

While typing and sipping me cuppa I have assembled one.
It has become clearer.

The bottom tube has same thread at both ends so nib and transmission are reversible.
Top tube, slightly longer, has another thread so not complicated at all really stick with marking just the belly.

Quality wise they definitely get my vote, plating is shinier, smoother and no pressing together required saving crushed nibs etc.
In the event of a crap pen simply unscrew and turn back to brass, I love it init?
Transmission is smoother more like a Sierra or cigar than a slimline, another plus in my book.

Criticisms I might have are:
The belt is more like a girdle, they could be improved by introducing a range of perhaps larger center bands but that is nothing that can't be got around so quite irrelevant really and would not put me off of buying them.

They are not standard mandrel size bushes so either make a mandrel or turn between centers. I believe Paul said they are 5mm I/D once again that won't put me off.

In all I have to recommend these kits and say this is what I have been waiting for in a slimline and what I have been talking about producing myself as a commercial enterprise if I was younger.
I will show them off as soon as I get them dressed up, they still have their pyjamas on at the moment.
Might even put some of Rowdy's plastic on one or two.

Mind you I might be gobbin off immaturely as I don't done one yet init?
Sorry Drain housework might have to wait while I get in shed init?

Many thanks again Santa Paul M.



Ooops wrong Paul M but it's the best I could come up with at short notice.

 

[Buckeye]

I have been looking forward to getting the ones offered here and I had an email saying he was having trouble getting the bushings and would give a refund, but I said I would rather have the pens so will wait a bit longer.

Peter

 

[Grump]

I have been looking forward to getting the ones offered here and I had an email saying he was having trouble getting the bushings and would give a refund, but I said I would rather have the pens so will wait a bit longer.

Peter

At least you had an email, with the lack of response from him I have lost faith and will look for an alternative supplier.

 

[Buckeye]

At least you had an email, with the lack of response from him I have lost faith and will look for an alternative supplier.

I was the one who initiated the email, but I would still like them, maybe Dan can find them.

Peter

 

[Grump]

I was the one who initiated the email, but I would still like them, maybe Dan can find them.

Peter

Surely worth asking him, I don't know where to source them and still have a millyon of the crap kits to get through before I start looking but they are defo on the agenda init?

 

[Matt]

Nice initial review there, look forward to seeing the finished product

 

[billyb_imp]

Looking forward to getting my hands on a few to give them a try, not sure where from though, seems to have gone very quite after we were first told about them

Sent from my mobile using Taptalk

 

[Grump]

I really like the look of these kits and another beauty of them is leaving all the bits on the desk indoors and just taking the tubes down the shed.
Less chance of losing the furniture in the shavings and fumbling for them in the dark plus all ca is set when you get them back indoors for assembly with a cuppa and telly init?

I still haven't got in shed yet with any earnest, the weather is fantastic here today and I was hoping but no joy as yet.

Headlight bulb on van failed last night as the man with a pointed head informed me, Jew fink I can get a bulb for love nor money in this poxy tarn.
Why do manufacturers change these common items for something rare as rocking horse crap one year only all others have a normal bulb, sod law ain't in it init?
And I have to dismantle half the bloody van to take the whole headlight out just to change a bulb.

 

[paulm]

I'm glad you like them Brian.

If anyone wants some, I posted in an earlier mail that the price for a startup kit of a mandrel (2mt), the bushes and 20 kits would be approximately £40 give or take a few quid. I won't make any money on this and whatever they cost thats what you'll get them for. PM me if you're interested, it'll take a few weeks to get.... I'd better check on the bushes first hadn't I...


.... I just checked and the bushes and mandrels are in stock

If you don't want the bushes and mandrel then the kits are approx £1.40 each but again I'll know when I get them due to customs. I prefer to expect a higher price and then its not so disappointing.

PM me if you're interested and I'll put an order in... I'm going to order enough for 5 so first come first served. You don't have to pay me up front but I don't want to invest in stuff that I'm not going to use so its good to know the numbers who want it.

 

[Grump]

I could wait no longer to get may hands dirty on these kits so took two to shed and made em up init?
Two firsts for me here, first time with one of these kits and first time turning one of Rowdy's blanks which I have yo say is the best homemade plastic I have turned.
Rowdy got the mixture dead right on these blanks with a real minimum of air in it, done yourself proud with this mix Rowdy.
A little care with the threads was soon haywire as I inserted the tube in the blank I forgot myself and smothered it with ca, that will give me grief later init?
Still experimenting with me pics so showing a couple of each with different exposure settings Its a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 for Paul's info.




I wanted to put one of these in my first's box and wanted a nice piece of burr to put on it and found a burr Elm in a box which also had some other lovely woods in it.
I have a feeling they were a gift from Eamonn (Silver) the box had a sticker on it Web Hosting, Free Domain Name, Email Hosting so whoever that is or was thanks very much for this piece of Burr along with the other bits in the box.
The London plane and red malee look interesting too.




As previously suggested I took the turned barrels back to my desk for assembly in a cleaner environment.
I also took a round file and reamer knowing I was gonna bugger something up having got ca inside at least one tube.
I gently reamed out the offender, to my surprise the threads are more robust than I would have given credit and succeeded to screw the hat on with no further issues.
I stand by my appraisal of these kits as being far superior to the usual slimline we have been offered, and easier to assemble, a doddle to dismantle.
I may well flog off all my old slimlines and stock up with these, at last a kit I am pleased to use.
It's now down to time, use and abuse to determine the longevity of the plating etc, although I have hope it will outdo the standard it just seems thicker, smoother and shinier.
The hat is larger than the standard giving it a more pleasing appearance and easier to assemble for fumble fingers me init?.
No more dropping it while desperately trying to push it through the stupidly tight clip hole.
Both pens above finished straight from the skew with ajax then toothpaste with a little clear kiwi polish, the Burr Elm has ca as well to stabilize while turning
I really enjoyed doing these even the plastic and will enjoy doing more tomorrow.
A big thank you to the guys for the kits and blanks, these pens have a total cost of zilch to me.
I will be very interested to hear and see what you think of yours when they arrive, if you are only half as happy as me then you will love em init?

 

[Jim]

Thanks for the in depth review Brian, i am sure many members will read this and will surely be buying on this report alone my friend ..

Just to add it is good to see that you enjoyed playing with the plastic and that you didn't wash your hands afterwards ..

Two good looking pens my friend .. I do like the swirly multi coloured blank from Rowdy, he needs to set up shop ..

 

[paulm]

I could wait no longer to get may hands dirty on these kits so took two to shed and made em up init?
Two firsts for me here, first time with one of these kits and first time turning one of Rowdy's blanks which I have yo say is the best homemade plastic I have turned.
Rowdy got the mixture dead right on these blanks with a real minimum of air in it, done yourself proud with this mix Rowdy.
A little care with the threads was soon haywire as I inserted the tube in the blank I forgot myself and smothered it with ca, that will give me grief later init?
Still experimenting with me pics so showing a couple of each with different exposure settings Its a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 for Paul's info.

View attachment 6550
View attachment 6551

I wanted to put one of these in my first's box and wanted a nice piece of burr to put on it and found a burr Elm in a box which also had some other lovely woods in it.
I have a feeling they were a gift from Eamonn (Silver) the box had a sticker on it Web Hosting, Free Domain Name, Email Hosting so whoever that is or was thanks very much for this piece of Burr along with the other bits in the box.
The London plane and red malee look interesting too.

View attachment 6552
View attachment 6553

As previously suggested I took the turned barrels back to my desk for assembly in a cleaner environment.
I also took a round file and reamer knowing I was gonna bugger something up having got ca inside at least one tube.
I gently reamed out the offender, to my surprise the threads are more robust than I would have given credit and succeeded to screw the hat on with no further issues.
I stand by my appraisal of these kits as being far superior to the usual slimline we have been offered, and easier to assemble, a doddle to dismantle.
I may well flog off all my old slimlines and stock up with these, at last a kit I am pleased to use.
It's now down to time, use and abuse to determine the longevity of the plating etc, although I have hope it will outdo the standard it just seems thicker, smoother and shinier.
The hat is larger than the standard giving it a more pleasing appearance and easier to assemble for fumble fingers me init?.
No more dropping it while desperately trying to push it through the stupidly tight clip hole.
Both pens above finished straight from the skew with ajax then toothpaste with a little clear kiwi polish, the Burr Elm has ca as well to stabilize while turning
I really enjoyed doing these even the plastic and will enjoy doing more tomorrow.
A big thank you to the guys for the kits and blanks, these pens have a total cost of zilch to me.
I will be very interested to hear and see what you think of yours when they arrive, if you are only half as happy as me then you will love em init?

Wow, thats a review fitting of the best of reviewists (if thats a word) Brian, and you'd done the kits and blanks proud. They do take a bit of getting used to but it won't be long before they take over from the conventional slimlines if not simply because you can change the colour of the kit at a whim, so 2 pens for the price of one (and a bit).

 

[Grump]

Thanks for reminding to wash my hands
I think Rowdy has a name for these blanks something like night fire.
Putting my personal opinions aside and contrary to popular belief whether or not I like or dislike plastics, I have turned a lot of it over many years.
I have helped people set up their systems and turned what they have produced, you know yourself how temperamental it can be.
To get the ideal conditions and replicate a mix is a nebulous procedure unless you are in a controlled environment and it can go very pearshaped.
Rowdy seems to have cracked it on his own and is getting consistent results from what I have heard of those who have turned his blanks.
I was happy to turn his product and have some more I shall look forward to using, unlike some others who I refuse to buy from again.
As for the kits I really am impressed, yes they could be improved, there is always room for improvement but they are damn good for what they will retail at.

 

[billyb_imp]

Two very nice looking pens Brian