Jr Gentleman's questions

[Steve68]

Hi all.

I'm pretty sure you all know the Jr Gentleman's pen kit. Well I have tried turning three with only one successful end product and I would like to know if anyone else has had the issues I'm having.

Being a fountain pen I don't want to give the pen any fancy lumps, bumps or curves. The kit itself (I think) lends itself to a nice straight design.

I always turn the cap first and that looks fine. The problem is always with the main body when trying acrylic, it's so thin that it cracks and splits really easily.

Is it just me having these issues or should I give in and add a slight curve to the pen body? I just don't think it will look as good.

 

[alpha1]

If I am not mistaken the junior gentlemen kit has a taper on the main body section if you are turning to the size of the smallest tapered bushing may be that's your problem. I gave up on the junior gentlemen kits there are two sizes of tubes and I kept getting them mixed up. I stick to Omegas or the Leveche both kits are bullet proof.

 

[Penpal]

I have a few old kits and you have prompted me to try one in a while,It will be fun to design. If you follow the straight and narrow so many kits are so thin in the blank. The first time I made a Slimline I decided the wafer thin straight made pen could lead to splitting some time ,later on when the Streamline was release they used a fatter centre band that I choose to use most always. My pen of the week is a Slimline with a Streamline band allowing me to run amok with design.Have a look a Bills Slimlines where he turns up sharply from the nib etc.

Peter.

 

[Bammer]

Just you I reckon ....

Is it splitting whilst turning or when you assemble ?

 

[Steve68]

Just you I reckon ....

Is it splitting whilst turning or when you assemble ?

Mainly when assembling Brad. I use a proper assembly press but the blank is so thin it often cracks no matter how careful I am. The only successful one was in wood which I suppose has a little more give than acrylic.

 

[fortress]

The standard Junior Gentleman's FP/RB has the two top bushings the same and the two bottom bushings the same, no taper, I always turn straight with no issues. when assembling Steven just make sure there is no glue or gunk in the tubes to resist the press.

 

[Bammer]

What he said, also make sure there are no burrs inside the tube where the components fit.

A small round file will get rid of these.

Make sure the component is going in square, a slight angle will cause the acrylic to crack.

 

[Woody]

Hi guys I always ream the inside of the tube before assembly with a sharp knife made from an old hacksaw blade that fits inside all the pens I make it removes any overflow of glue and burrs from the enda of the tube I also have a piece of 1" corian with a hole drilled in it for the finial end to fit in and keep it square whiles pressing the component in and I nevr get a problem hope this helps

 

[Steve68]

Thanks all.

I managed to turn this one this morning. Nothing amazing but at least it worked.

 

[fortress]

Yes, it worked just fine, nice one Steven.

 

[Penpal]

Happy for your good result.

Peter.