An Alpha Convertible, no its not a car its a pen

[billyb_imp]

Is it a train, is it a plane no it's An Alpha Convertible, no not a car, it's a pen

I've been exploring the the different ways that I could market Dan's latest pen the TM Alpha as it comes with both a fountain pen nib & converter plus a rollerball nib complete with Beaufort Ink refill.

The pen below is dressed in a Pen Rod Co. Burgundy Pearl blank supplied by Vince at The Turners Workshop, great depth of colour in it & easy to turn although they are a bit pricey. it arrived as a rod rather than square so speeded up the turning process somewhat.

One issue I have found is that if you wish to upgrade the supplied converter to a Beaufort Ink converter as seen in the photo, I'm afraid it won't fit, the metal fittings on the Beaufort will not go through the TM hardware.

 

[Grump]

I did that with Majestics, two of em for the wifes twin bruvers then counted the cost.
Won't be doin it again init?

 

[Doug]

Looks a super pen Billy

 

[Woody]

Great looking pen with the advantage of being a transformer gives buyers the opportunity to try a fountain pen

 

[Vic Perrin]

Nice one Billy like the two in one idea

 

[Jim]

Great looking pen Billy, as Woody says, a novel idea of being able to use both nib and ball for the same pen ..

 

[chas_41_uk]

Very nice pen Billy

 

[Dalboy]

Great looking pen Billy

 

[Terry]

Looks top notch Billy !!

 

[bassethound]

Nice work Billy..

 

[Bill Mooney]

A beautiful looking pen Billy & I like the versatility.

 

[Baldy]

Oooooh another stunner love the colour of the blank

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[TaylorsMirfield.co.uk]

love it mate

 

[AllenN]

An excellent pen. The converter idea is a great one too.

 

[Penpal]

Billy very informative beaut detail of the pen love a good fountain pen as well thanks for sharing your great pen.

Peter

 

[Phil Dart]

One issue I have found is that if you wish to upgrade the supplied converter to a Beaufort Ink converter as seen in the photo, I'm afraid it won't fit, the metal fittings on the Beaufort will not go through the TM hardware.


View attachment 21171View attachment 21172

Yes, I'm sorry about that - it's been pointed out to me by one or two people now.

The converter conforms to a standard outside diameter, which is dictated by the need to place bandings on the outside of the seals. There is nothing I can do to make it smaller. However, the inside diameter of the connector part of pen kits, which is the bit through which the converter has to pass, varies from kit to kit. They mostly provide enough clearance for this to happen, but in the case of the Alpha, sadly it is a bit too narrow.

I've spoken at some length to Dan on the subject, who may or may not be able to change his specifications when he re-manufactures, but in the meantime, yes, although it grieves me to say, it's true the Alpha in its present form will currently not take a Beaufort converter.

Having said that, an extra clearance of a mere 0.05mm is all that is required to make the two compatible. The connector on the Alpha has a tapered i/d so it is not difficult to file or ream an extra 0.05mm inside the end that goes in to the tube, without effecting the connector thread, and hey-presto, an upgrade is thereafter possible.

I hope that helps

 

[billyb_imp]

I've spoken at some length to Dan on the subject, who may or may not be able to change his specifications when he re-manufactures, but in the meantime, yes, although it grieves me to say, it's true the Alpha in its present form will currently not take a Beaufort converter.

Having said that, an extra clearance of a mere 0.05mm is all that is required to make the two compatible. The connector on the Alpha has a tapered i/d so it is not difficult to file or ream an extra 0.05mm inside the end that goes in to the tube, without effecting the connector thread, and hey-presto, an upgrade is thereafter possible.

I hope that helps

I agree Phil, should be easily enough to sort out, hopefully will ream / file out the ones I have already made over the coming weekend and will sort the unmade kits out before I use them, your converters are going to fit.

 

[wm460]

Another beauty Billy.

 

[Les ELm]

Interesting.

Les

 

[silver]

Stunning set Billy. I did that with some Emporer kits for a customer, it meant loosing a rb kit but it paid well so who am I to complain.:wink:

It might be worth drilling the fitting out rather than filing it Billy! got me thinking now.