Hi,
i think it was asked we all made the pen for the comp.
Cap was as normal.
The brass on the top part was just drilled from inside and it popped out, nice soft brass and just handheld with an electric drill, but quite a large bit.
The small matching top simply made using a 4 jaw chuck, sanded polished etc. Parted off with a little spiggot to fit back on the pen. I measured it and more by luck than judgement, it snapped home with no glue.
I have a psi expanding mandrel but i don't like it and it as too small anyway for this.
I have made several in this way but you have to be careful to keep it round as a bit is by hand.
A normal mandrel adjusted to the internal depth of the drilled blank. Sorry, measured the depth internally on a finished full kit and added 1/4 inch or so for a fountain, but rollerballs need to be accurate depth wise for the spring.
Once squared off i just used the normal bushing.
The other end that will be inside i simply wrapped masking tape over the threads until it was a snug fit. I had to use compressed air to remove the potato and a brush.
Then lined up as there will be movement and held gently between centres.
Turn the shape after marking the toolrest so when i cut the taper i don't go through, which i have done before. Turn the end just a bit but leaving enough so it stays between centres.
Sand polish etc.
The tape with masking tape the blank to the mandrel.
Slower speed cut the last small piece supporting with your hand just like when making thin spindles.
I cut the dimple with a small parting tool, then sand and polish the last part of the end.
remove the tape and it didn't need re polishing.
I am quite humbled to come third as the competition was very high.
I hope to post more later in the year as i am busy moving to Ireland and i won't be able to do much turning for while shortly as theres a bit to do on the new house.
Regards
Pete
