I have a few pen kits, the majority do not have bushes, Will any bush do for any pen or do I need to buy lots of different size bushes? finally when using bushes we need a snug fit, does that mean the bushes will not fall out when we upend the tube or is it looser than that?
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Ideally as a novice turner you would be better using the correct bush set for a pen. As you become more comfortable you may try doing what I do and that is use tapered bushes and turn and measure the fittings and turn the blank down to that saves buying loads.
As Derek said Gary.
Most Pen kits have their own specific bushes (even different slimline kits can be different) that said some kits utilise the same diameter bushes, kits like the Sierras ones can be used for many other kits of the same design.
But you can make your own bushes by turning some wood, corian or acrylic down to suit the inner tube diameter and the outside fitting diameter. but tapered "cone" shaped bushes are a good alternative to make as well.
Most Pen kits have their own specific bushes (even different slimline kits can be different) that said some kits utilise the same diameter bushes, kits like the Sierras ones can be used for many other kits of the same design.
But you can make your own bushes by turning some wood, corian or acrylic down to suit the inner tube diameter and the outside fitting diameter. but tapered "cone" shaped bushes are a good alternative to make as well.
Good advice above Garry.
Penpal
Grand Master
After a few years you will have umpteen bushes,the trick is to label and store. Without make them at a pinch.
Just ordered a 500mm x 20mm rod should be with me by Thursday.
Now I'm hunting down an 11mm and a 7mm drill bit, do any tubes actually come with normal diameters
AllenN
Fellow
Just as pen bushes come in a range of sizes so do tubes. Most kit suppliers show the recommended drill size on their website but again callipers are your friend. You will find some listed metric and some imperial ( loads of conversion tables on t’web.) Not all nominal tube sizes are the same either. As always measure twice cut once is sound advice.
Drill Bits: Don’t trust what kit manufacturers say! Carefully measure the tube and use the appropriate drill bit. Most already know this but drill bits are commonly available in .1 mm steps so if you need say a 7.3mm or an 8.2mm they are available.
darn it, I need to learn so much I genuinely did not know that
. Would I be right in assuming that I will be needing 10 bits in the 7mm range again in the 8,9,10,11 range? This could prove to be an expensive start up with the bits being £3 - £4 each for wood ones
If you just buy the bits as you need them you won’t notice the cost too much - hopefully!
I normally use these folks, as an example: 7.3mm £2.70 HSS JOBBER DRILLS FULLY GROUND 135deg SPLIT POINT | eBay
But yes, it can be an expensive hobby. As an example, if you want to go the kitless route at some point:
Triple lead taps and dies - ideal for kitless pen making - Beaufort Ink
I normally use these folks, as an example: 7.3mm £2.70 HSS JOBBER DRILLS FULLY GROUND 135deg SPLIT POINT | eBay
But yes, it can be an expensive hobby. As an example, if you want to go the kitless route at some point:
Triple lead taps and dies - ideal for kitless pen making - Beaufort Ink