Click Pen Problems

[G^2]

I'm new to the forum and need some advice.
I bought some woodcraft click pen kits. The first one I turned the point would not completely retract, about 1/16 " was left out. I measured the length of the barrels, they were too short, ok my error. The next one I turned I Made sure Barrels were exactly two inches as per instructions.
On this one the point only sticks out about 1/8 inch at rest. I talked to woodcraft "experts" no help.

Does anyone have any suggestions or do I need to send more info? I have three more pens I want to turn but don't want to screw them up also.

Thanks, G^2

 

[Jim]

Hi G^2, i can't help you with this as i have never used a click kit, but there are guys on here who have that will be able to help for sure ..

Welcome to the forums BTW ...

 

[Terry]

Welcome to the forum G^2. Sorry can't help but some of the lads have worked with click pens!!!

 

[paulm]

What pen is it... oh by the way welcome G^2... do you mind if I call you G

 

[Woody]

I have turned them quite a few years ago and found that most of then are a real pain and not worth the effort the only ones I found that worked were the 8mm ones which I dont think you can get any-more the sierra range include a click pen but I found they don't last that long before they start to play up in all they are not worth the bother and they dont seem any better now by the sound of it sorry about that

 

[Penpal]

Welcome to the forum G^2 think click pen reliability is suspect , pity really as most busy despatchers, nursing people and dozens of other professionals would appreciate a good one I do envy the cheap mechs in those multi colour Bics etc that are almost fool proof often wonder why reliability drops off in so called up market kits.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[G^2]

Thanks for the feedback, once again I'll just go back to twist pens. I gave up on click a while back, thought maybe they had improved. The bullet click pen kits I got from woodcraft are a lot more substantial that from another supplier. I had no trouble with them.

 

[silver]

Hi G^2.

Photos of the problem would be good.....

The click pens are a little more critical on the tube length.

the first one I made I had the same problems, not really appreciating how critical the tolerances were.

I have used the woodcraft kits and had no problem with them, however the instructions are, in my view poor to say the least.

That said, any click pen will have the same issues and needs to be built with very fine tolerances.


Are you using a barrel trimmer or sanding the ends square?

I always use a barrel trimmer as I feel I can keep better control of how much material I take off the ends.

As a rule of thumb, if the nib is not out far enough then you have not taken enough material off, if the nib is out too far then you have taken too much off and shortened the tube. its that simple.. honest..

Remember, only take material off the ends and not take anything off the tubes..

Just for the info,,,, I have a click pen that my brother in law uses every day and he has had it in use for nearly two years and its never failed..