Better Mechanisms??

[angelo49]

OK,
It seems that out of about every 10 pen kits I use, from many different suppliers.
I toss four 7mm twist mechs.
Most are really made like crap.
With the last 10 pack I bought, the threads in them were split.
Couldn't even screw in the refill.
My biggest complaint with the ones that are useable is that they turn too easily.
While writing with the pen,your hand rubbing lightly against the upper barrel
tends to retract the the refill.
I usually ruin more mechanisms when I try to 'tighten them up'.
I would lightly place fine punch marks on the twist part, or even add a dab of glue
here or there, but most of the time I end up riuning them.
DOES ANYONE SUPPLY A BETTER 7MM MECHANISM??
Angelo














'

 

[billyb_imp]

I have had nowhere near that number of failures, I think only a couple that have been poor straight out the bag and a few following my own mistake of pushing the things to far in to the receptacle

 

[Neil]

Sorry to depress you but I haven't had that problem and have found them to be reasonably reliable

 

[Penpal]

I have had two real failures however I check them before I press found one minus a thread and recently I gave a pen to a guy noticed some grease near the join and found the mech had shat itself bigtime. I always run the mech to fully extended before pressing, just my experiences.

Peter. (I used to buy one or two hundred at a time in Slimlines).

 

[chas_41_uk]

I have only had two bad mechanisms, both from Axminster. I get my spare mechanisms from Penbits, UK
Angelo, do you know where your kits are made? In the USA or the far east?

 

[Walter]

I think I have only had two failed mechanisms in over twenty years.

 

[Neil]

Chas - both yours are made by the same company in China, Rizheng. Dont think that there are any kits that are made in the US.

 

[paulm]

I've not had any fail that weren't my fault.

 

[bellringer]

I have had one fail after 3 years and a couple of stiff ones and some with tiny machine imperfections that were easly removed

 

[ray7]

Only problem I`ve had so far is the odd bit of swarf that was easy to just blow out.

Ray

 

[edlea]

No 7 mm failures but around 50% failures with Cigar mechs they are total cr*p

 

[Vic Perrin]

I have had one fail after 3 years and a couple of stiff ones and some with tiny machine imperfections that were easly removed

I seem to fail on most attempts these days, perhaps it's due to my tiny machine having imperfections. I would definitely appreciate just one nice stiff one!

:wink:Vic:wink:

 

[silver]

Angelo,

Where are you buying your kits from...?

I can't remember the last time I had a mechanism fail..

 

[Penpal]

I seem to fail on most attempts these days, perhaps it's due to my tiny machine having imperfections. I would definitely appreciate just one nice stiff one!

:wink:Vic:wink:

Sounds familiar mate.

Peter.

 

[Penpal]

With regard to mechanisms they are not made by but for Ritzheng and other purveyors of kits, brass tubes etc made by specialist people for many firms its a bit like motor cars they are made by accessory firms to a price. Over the years David at Timberbits has toured the various firms and photographed the satellite industry that surrounds main Names in Pen Kits.

I am stunned by the longevity of the parts never sell or dream of saying to customers here you have a rugged pen rather this pen needs tender loving care it is made carefully and deserves protection and it will give you good service, they are not heirlooms but working objects after all.

My son works in industrial Air Conditioning his beautiful Huon Pine Pen has had to survive dropping from great heights, abrasives etc suits him but would never win pen beautiful any more. For such a small outlay it would be false to market our pens as the epitome of logevity.

When I was young I bought an A Model Tourer when I was twenty actually 60 yrs ago soon. I had it sprayed by a mate for a pack of cigarettes a deepish red with black added, upholstered the seats with an old army blanket from WW1 got new side curtains made and a rear wheel cover fitted by another mate at low cost a very good mate bought a mostly new looking A Model Sedan and proceeded to thrash the living daylights out of it. I am sure my car was more reliable than his became it served me well 30 miles to the gallon etc.

Pens are like that treat them well you will get very favourable service, at this time and over more years than most on the forum so far no one has ever bailed me up and said look at this pen you made for me its split or the gold is stuffed or really anything because I part with them giving advice to care for them as consumables which they really are. How many cars have you had over the years? how many pens?.

Yesterday I replaced the filter in my Air moving device up under the eaves where it pushes heated air to 7 places in the house and the house has central heating set low temp and twice a day, the outside temp was 7 degrees and inside the house rose to 19 degrees for next to nothing cost. The filter is a non standard industry size 74 bucks AU I rang the manufacturer in Melboune to learn it is not available to the public and he regarded 74 dollars as daylight robbery the unit I use firm screws them right tight because of bulk.

Most pen kits are a mongrel sizing like I found as a sparky when most everything used a manufacturers thread etc. Horses for courses it is game on. Cant get Crayfish for fourpence.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[paulm]

I seem to fail on most attempts these days, perhaps it's due to my tiny machine having imperfections. I would definitely appreciate just one nice stiff one!

:wink:Vic:wink:

I think viagra works Vic

How predictable am I ?

 

[angelo49]

I have a Mont Blanc and a Tiffany pen.
Both are ''precious resin'' which is their way of saying plastic.
The mechanisms are amazing, smooth and solid with a nice snap
when you give it a twist. ( I guess that's why they cost $200--$300)
I never got a mechanism that was too stiff.
For me, they are always too loose. It's when I try to 'fix them' I end up
ruining them.
I did find some high end mechs. but cost much more than most kits.
Even when we buy a pricier 7mm kit, you still end up with the run of the
mill slimline mechanism.

 

[oaksh]

I buy hundreds of kits from Rizheng and have never had a 7mm fail yet. the only fault I have had from them is a batch of 5 JR gent pens with plastic female thread on the top half of the pen. Good thing is when I complained they sent me 15 modified kits with an apology, not bad as far as I'm concerned.
Tony

 

[Grump]

I thought I had already commented on this thread but cannot see it, so here I go again.
I too have had many a mechanism fail for various reasons.
There were some bad batches produced and the manufacturers confirmed that and sent replacements to those who complained.
Your contract is with the supplier theirs is with the manufacturer, do not confuse the two.
As Angelo says the twist is sloppy and rewinds itself with use, if your doesn't you are either lucky or not using it enough.
I was hopeful that the 8mm threaded kits would solve this issue as they use a different transmission but sad to say it happens with those to.

 

[Walter]

If you are expecting Mont Blanc quality then you will have to pay Mont Blanc prices.

The mechanisms in slimlines that cost about £1.00 each are never going to match that.