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I

irtuk

Full Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2020
Posts
38
Location
Kent
First Name
Ed
Hey everyone.

I decided that I would take up a new hobby in lock-down and bought myself a lathe. Something that had been on my radar for a while, mainly from very relaxing YouTube videos featuring woodworking and turning.

I have been a pen enthusiast for years, I have a small collection of decent pens but I really fancied having a go at crafting one of my own.

I would like to post some pictures of the pens I have made thus far but, looks like i need more forum kudos to do that so, that will have to do for now.

-Ed.
 
I

irtuk

Full Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2020
Posts
38
Location
Kent
First Name
Ed
Nope. wasnt logged in apparently. This is pen number 6.

_REM5640.jpg

_REM5636.jpg


Its in ebonite with a black acrylic section, its a bock number 6 nib. My process is currently to turn a tenon for the threads on the outside of the barrel, then drill the barrel to about 11.85mm and a depth of about 2cm for an M12 tap. I shape the barrel initially before tapping to prevent putting strain on the tenon from the turning.

The section is the same, I try to get the bulk of the shaping done and drill it last. For the Bock #6 I use a 7.3mm drill through then take the first 15mm to 8mm as the housing is wider towards the nib.

Issues I am currently having....

1. Threads are a nightmare. I can only really get a half decent external thread in ebonite, whether its my dies or my technique I dont know. I would prefer a 10mm tenon for a thinner pen but whilst I can get a functional, if not neat thread with M12, M10 just shreds the material
2. I can find no source of rings or metal furniture for the end of the barrel. I can get clips no problem, but looking around tonight I would like to learn where or how the accents are done.

Anyhow. that;s me for now.

Ed.
 
flexi

flexi

Executive Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2014
Posts
6,457
Location
Maidstone
First Name
mark
Welcome aboard.....there are some good kit less makers on here, who I am sure will help you out....it's a rabbit hole I have not fallen into ....yet...:thumbs:
BTW if that's only no6.....I need to up my game!
 
ValleyBoy

ValleyBoy

Graduate Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Posts
745
Location
Cardiff
First Name
Ash
Hi Ed

Welcome to the forum and nice pen.

In terms of the issues you're experiencing then for number 1 a picture would help clarify what you mean. I know you’re talking about externally threading the tenon but earlier in your post you mention that you drill an 11.85ø hole for an M12 tap which doesn’t quite sound right as it would likely be too big. If, for example, it’s an M12x0.8 tap then the hole should be 12-0.8=11.2 diameter. However a tenon of 11.85ø for an M12 die should work ok so maybe that’s what you meant?

Also I prefer to turn the external threads before drilling. This is just my preference and I’m not sure of the physics behind it but to my mind there is more chance of a die ripping a drilled tenon off than there is of a drill destroying a threaded tenon.

As for metal trims I make my own. For non-precious (brass, bronze, Titanium) I use metal rod that is turned and drilled to size. For precious metal like silver then I use silver wire and make a ring. It takes a bit longer and does require a few basic silversmithing tools but it is fun and it’s not hard (and once you learn you will almost certainly end up making jewellery as a side hobby!).

Finally as a general point I would suggest you do all the drilling and threading before you shape your pen. Concentricity is important and, even though I can’t see exactly what you’re doing, once you start adding shapes to pens it can lead to them being knocked out of centre easily. To shape them after drilling the best bet is to make a couple of threaded mandrels to hold the parts on the lathe.

Anyway hope that helps.

Cheers
Ash
 
I

irtuk

Full Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2020
Posts
38
Location
Kent
First Name
Ed
Cheers everyone. Thanks for the input. I dont have any kind of engineering background so the relationship between the drill & tap size, and the rod & die size is something I have to work on understanding. the comment above from valleylooks helpful
 
I

irtuk

Full Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2020
Posts
38
Location
Kent
First Name
Ed
Here's todays offering, pen number 7. It's another Bock #6, extra fine in acrylic with synthetic ivory section.

_REM5646.jpg
_REM5648.jpg

that line around the top of the section is due to it being two recovered bits epoxied together then shaped.

Ed.
 
Dalboy

Dalboy

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Posts
7,708
Location
Kent
First Name
Derek
Hi Ed and welcome enjoy your stay here some great members and some good banter as well
 
F

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
Hello Ed

Welcome aboard.......if you're not mad already then you soon will be staying on here :face::face:

It's the best forum and the people are great.... enjoy. Where about in Kent are you? Flexi is in Dartford, I am in Chatham and Dalboy is in Canterbury,

Cheers
Frederick
 
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