• Thanks for visiting The Penturners Forum today.

    There are many features and resources that currently you are unable to see or access, either because you're not yet registered, or if you're already registered, because you're not logged in.

    To gain full access to the forum, please log in or register now. Registration is completely free, it only takes a few seconds, and you can join our well established community of like-minded pen makers.

Aluminium/brass pen update

akosky

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2024
Posts
8
Location
Berkeley, CA
First Name
Anthony
I've made a few of these now, and thought I'd psot an update to show how they're coming along.
I've made them a bit lighter and thinner. This one I made longer to accomodate a filler.
IMG_2412 2.jpgIMG_2413 2.jpg

I also modified the cap mechanisms to make it easier to adjust or replace the o-ring.

IMG_2411 2.jpg

Thanks for looking :-)

-Anthony
 

flexi

Executive Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2014
Posts
6,637
Location
Maidstone
First Name
mark
That's really nice and well thought out....what are the 3 ball bearings for in the last pic?? :think:
 

akosky

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2024
Posts
8
Location
Berkeley, CA
First Name
Anthony
That's really nice and well thought out....what are the 3 ball bearings for in the last pic?? :think:
Thankyou.

They provide the “click” for the cap. The brass ring doubles as a spring with the bearings captive underneath. When they line up with e groove in the finger grip or posting the cap, there should be a nice tactile click

I wanted to make it feel satisfying to put the cap on and off without using a screw on cap.
 

howsitwork?

Graduate Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Posts
673
Location
north york (gods own county)
First Name
Ian
Thankyou.

They provide the “click” for the cap. The brass ring doubles as a spring with the bearings captive underneath. When they line up with e groove in the finger grip or posting the cap, there should be a nice tactile click

I wanted to make it feel satisfying to put the cap on and off without using a screw on cap.
that’s a great idea
 

Flange1966

Apprentice Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2025
Posts
6
Location
Canada
First Name
Dale
Accurate work and absolutely stunning. How well does the aluminum stand up to the detent balls? Do they gall after awhile?
 

akosky

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2024
Posts
8
Location
Berkeley, CA
First Name
Anthony
Accurate work and absolutely stunning. How well does the aluminum stand up to the detent balls? Do they gall after awhile?
Thankyou!
I haven't seen any issues, including in the first ones I made. The balls are moving over the brass parts of the pen though (finger grip and post), which seems to hold up well. The cap has three stepped holes to hold them in place, but there shou;dnbe very little movement or pressure.
-Anthony
 

akosky

Apprentice Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2024
Posts
8
Location
Berkeley, CA
First Name
Anthony
They look fantastic however is there not a chance of galvanic corrosion between the 2 metals?
I suppose there's a chance between the threads of the finger-grip and body, if moisture were to get inbetween, though I don't now that it would be any worse than regular corrosion. I put a small amount of grease on the threads, to prevent galling, which I would expect to be sufficient to prevent this also. Certainly I haven't seen any such issues.
 


Write your reply...
Top