Interchangable Pen kit Bits.....

[Pastor of Muppets]

Hi All,

Just a thought...... is there a list anywhere of pen kit parts that are interchangeable i.e. kits that use the same tubes, the same bushings etc?
I've been admiring the fancy "tube in" blanks out there on the interwebs and i have no idea what fits with what. Also every time I order a penkit I am also ordering bushings, some of them look mighty similar I was just wondering if this is The case or if I'm just trying to be too cheap!

Many Thanks

PoM

 

[silver]

Generally the "fancy kit" refers to the slimline pens and are a 7mm tube.

They are a range of slimline, streamline and comfort pens kits. Any that have the 7mm tubes are generally interchangeable, that said some of the fittings will need a different bush size to turn down too.

Many of the other kits use many different sixpze tubes and can vary considerably so it's not easy to pick just a few kits to exchange with.

There is an app you can download from the IAP if you wanted the most common tubes sizes, very useful.

Top right hand side of the page.
IAP Home

 

[fortress]

You cheap Andy? brave yes, cheap no.

 

[wm460]

If you start swapping just remember not all 7mm tubes are the same size DAMHIKT.

 

[Phil Dart]

There are definitely pen kits out there that use tubes that are common to more than one kit, and the link that Eamonn has given above is the sort of industry standard for that sort of information.

Just at a cursory level though, firstly be sure to distinguish between the physical tube sizes and the recommended drill sizes - just because two kits share a common recommended drill size, it does not necessarily mean that the tubes are the same diameter. It would be nice to think that every kit manufacturer can get their head around the space required in a drilled hole to fit both a tube and some glue, but that isn't always the case.

Secondly, be wary of trying to use bushes for kits that are not intended for - I would always prefer to use the bushes from the manufacturer of the kit rather than trying to use one set amongst several kits. Bear in mind too, that bushes wear out with use - there comes a time when you need to replace them.