Brass tubes

[Penpal]

Every pen tube I handle gets roughed up in line with the length they are scratched not sanded so they retain their integrity. I use excess glue just cos I can gone back now to Gorilla expanding suits me fine. I have no thoughts or conviction other than this just doing what makes sense for me. I also carry insurance may never need it same principle IMHO. I ream close to size each glued brass it makes it easy to slide onto the mandrel when edge sanding clears any glue. Taking the discussion still further I new a massive maker of pens in the many thousands a yr who never glued paid good money for accurate milled drills never glues tight fits the brasses into the blanks, simply a fact so he never roughs brass or glues brass.Economy in mass production does make sense.

Peter. because you asked Jed.

 

[wm460]

Always sand had a few that were lightly oiled.

 

[wm460]

None as I already said but some of you are so keen and tubes are so thin.
No names cos he knows better now but one of you even put the damn thing in a vise and filed at flat on each side then wondered why it didn't fit and gone oval.

 

[Walter]

As expected a range of views, perhaps it will help if I summarise, perhaps not, but I shall anyway:

Technically speaking, sanding the tubes will increase the surface area of the tubes thus giving the glue a greater area to bond to. The surface are of the tubes is already sufficient to provide a good bond anyway so whilst sanding will do no harm it will not do a lot of good either.

Sanding the tubes will also (probably) remove (most) of any contaminants such as oil or wax on the tube. Wiping with meths, white spirit or cellulose thinners will do a better job.

Conclusion and to misquote Maggie Thatcher: You sand if you want to, Walter's not for sanding.

Edit: Oh dear! Walter has started referring to himself in the third person. I must be turning into Poirot

 

[stevenw1963]

Edit: Oh dear! Walter has started referring to himself in the third person. I must be turning into Poirot

Or another nutter - so you're in the right place. welcome to the asylum

 

[billyb_imp]

Mine always get sanded, someone, don't know who said sand them so I've just kept doing it

 

[Tephy]

None as I already said but some of you are so keen and tubes are so thin.
No names cos he knows better now but one of you even put the damn thing in a vise and filed at flat on each side then wondered why it didn't fit and gone oval.

OMG!

 

[AndyC65]

Why even bother with the brass tubes in the first place?

 

[Lons]

Oh dear! Walter has started referring to himself in the third person. I must be turning into Poirot

Take note please Mr Chairman Terry, another candidate

No names cos he knows better now but one of you even put the damn thing in a vise and filed at flat on each side then wondered why it didn't fit and gone oval.

Go-on name and shame Brian, or better still own up. Whoever it was has to be a fully paid up member of the plonkers club

 

[Winemaker]

I sand mine unless they are painted