Bushings for the JR Gent

[Mr Finch]

Thanks to you lovely people here, I placed an order with Timberbits for some slimlines and a JR Gent fountain pen and roller ball.

Dumbo me forgot to order bushings at the same time. I realise that I can get them in the UK but, is it possible to turn the pen without them? I have a standard (old) Craft Supplies friction mandrel and a dead centre that I could fit into the headstock. Could I get away with just using a pair of calipers for sizing?

Also, where can I (at reasonable cost) purchase the required drill bits?

TIA

Coll

PS: SWMBO sniggers every time I mention the JR Gent. She has a dirty mind...

 

[Terry]

Yes you can use calipers Coll just be a bit careful when you are getting near to the required diameter.
Regarding drill bits try Toolstation who are relatively cheap. I just use ordinary jobber twist drills!!!!!

 

[Mr Finch]

Awesome, thanks for the speedy response Terry! It looks like a visit to toolstation is in order. :)

Coll

 

[Woody]

Hi no you haven't got to have the bushes when I first started making pens a lot of kits never had them at all I used to use and still do some times Vernier Caliper and yes all you need is a dead center and a revolving center measure the pen fittings for each end of the part you want to turn easy peasy I get my drill bits from ebay 10 x HSS STANDARD ROLLED DRILL BITS - SUPER PRICE | eBay happy turning

 

[Terry]

Awesome, thanks for the speedy response Terry! It looks like a visit to toolstation is in order. :)

Coll

Coll lokk on their website first to ensure they have your size in !!!!!

 

[Mr Finch]

Thanks guys! The TB page for the JR Gent says 10mm and 11.9mm bit. Can I get away with a 12mm? Is anyone gonna argue over 0.1mm?

 

[Woody]

Thanks guys! The TB page for the JR Gent says 10mm and 11.9mm bit. Can I get away with a 12mm? Is anyone gonna argue over 0.1mm?

I have just posted a link to that size drill bit in imperial it is 15/32" sorry it wasnt the right size here is the right one 15/32” (11.9mm) Engineers HSS Twist Drill | eBay

 

[Mr Finch]

Haha! Why did I not think of going to imperial sizings???

Thanks Woody!

 

[Terry]

Thanks guys! The TB page for the JR Gent says 10mm and 11.9mm bit. Can I get away with a 12mm? Is anyone gonna argue over 0.1mm?

I use a 12mm drill bit Col and it is fine!!!!!

 

[Woody]

I have just changed the link for the drill bit as I put the wrong one up

 

[Mr Finch]

Thanks Terry! Makes it *slightly* cheaper!

Woody - thanks for updating the link. I realised that the 11/32 was the wrong size, looking at some other eBay listings, but, being new here, didn't want to say anything! ;)

 

[Woody]

Woody - thanks for updating the link. I realised that the 11/32 was the wrong size, looking at some other eBay listings, but, being new here, didn't want to say anything! ;)

You say away my fiend that is why we have a plonkers club by the way Terry's full title is Mr plonker chairman sir

 

[stevenw1963]

Thanks Terry! Makes it *slightly* cheaper!

Woody - thanks for updating the link. I realised that the 11/32 was the wrong size, looking at some other eBay listings, but, being new here, didn't want to say anything! ;)

Why not, everyone else on here would have just taken the pi$$, but he is getting on a bit you know so we make allowances for him

 

[Mr Finch]

Having drilled (yay) and glued (yay again!) the Purple Heart blank for the gent, I have just realised (d'oh!) that my barrel trimmer is 7mm only (boo!)

I have no disc sander or similar, so, anyone got any suggestions on trimming without hand sanding?

Hand sanding is not a problem, I would just like to know if there's a more efficient way?

TIA

 

[retreatjohn]

Turn a sleeve from a piece of hardwood to fit the tube with a hole to take the trimmer.

 

[Mr Finch]

That's brilliant! Thanks John!

Actually, I just just glue a scrap onto a 7mm tube and then turn that to fit. Obviously I will need to do two, but they would ten be re-usable. I have spare tubes and scrap so, no cost. Even better!

Thank you! Problem solved. :)

 

[Jim]

You could turn down a piece of wood to use as the rod that fits into each tube fit it on the tail stock and if like me you have an old mandrel with a flat face then stick a piece of sand paper on it place it on the lathe's head stock and bring up the tail stock with the blank on the turned down rod .. Hope you understand this .. Cos it does work ...

 

[Mr Finch]

Yep, makes sense, thanks. Lathe is a coronet elf, I could use the tail stock empty and do it that way. I have pen drilling jaws for my Sorby chuck that I can't use to drill due to the "slop" in the tailstock.

Actually, thinking about it, glue a piece of sandpaper to a scrap, mount the blank in the drilling jaws and job's a goodun!! Even easier than making the sleeve. :)

Loving this community, thanks guys!

 

[Neil]

Thanks guys! The TB page for the JR Gent says 10mm and 11.9mm bit. Can I get away with a 12mm? Is anyone gonna argue over 0.1mm?

I always use impoerial drill bits with the exception of the One diameter pen (10mm), cigar (10mm), sculpted pen (8mm), slimlines (7mm) (there might be others, this isnt comprehensive!) All others are designed around imperial dimensions, the engineering world still manufacture to these dims, especially in the states and this element of the world is still in the imperial past. In softer woods you can get away with a larger drill bit but the denser woods such as rosewoods, ebonies and the like, the crrect drill bit is the best. If you prefer to use PU glue (which I hate because of its tendency to shift the tubes whilst curing and the fact that it is the messiest adhesive around), then you again can get away with it as PU expands. You will get a much poorer adhesion with CA despite the fact that it is only a small increase. One small air pocket is enough to allow the veneer to fracture whilat turning.

The JR Gent tube dims accept a 15/32 drill bit and a 25/64.

There are other suppliers already posted and more not, I use www.ukdrills.co.uk and find the cost good and the service excellent.

There are many drill bit conversion charts published on the net, this is one of the better ones Drill Size Conversion Table.

 

[Neil]

Having drilled (yay) and glued (yay again!) the Purple Heart blank for the gent, I have just realised (d'oh!) that my barrel trimmer is 7mm only (boo!)

I have no disc sander or similar, so, anyone got any suggestions on trimming without hand sanding?

Hand sanding is not a problem, I would just like to know if there's a more efficient way?

TIA

You have a lathe, you have a disc sander! Turn a disc, make sure it is dead flat That takes a velcro pad. Make a table that fits into the banjo and hey presto. I have a disc sander so never needed t do this bit I am sure that soomeone on this forum will have done so and may have photos to post.