Making a pen from scratch

[kjmc1957]

Hi All
I've challenged my self to make an entry for every Club competition this year, 12 in total. We hava couple of open competitions where the finished item is not stipulated, I want to make a pen from scratch, I've read througt the IAP website threads and feel that I have the patience and skill to make one, I'm asking if any one else has done this, if they have what advice do they have and if there are any good books to read what are they.
I need to buy a set of taps and dies but other than that I think I'm good to go.
Any help gratefully recieved.

 

[bellringer]

I might have a go my self if you have a metal lathe with thread cutting on it it would be cheaper then buy dies you would still need to buy taps though I might have a go after work one day

 

[paulm]

I've never had a go Frankie but its something I would love to be able to do.

 

[Woody]

I have never tried to make a pen from sandpaper (scratch ) OK byyyyyyyyyy

 

[kjmc1957]

Yeah, I din't have a metal lathe or the training to use one, I think taps and dies are the way to go, not sure if you could get a thread chasing set small enough to do it that way.

 

[PhillH]

Jimjam is your man I'm sure he will be along ahortly.

 

[Penpal]

My reference The Pen Turners Bible By Richard Kleinhenz covers this over here access to this book is great over your way check out our resident authors book or seek his reference. Be prepared to outlay a lot on the search for and making of.

Peter.

 

[bellringer]

The pen turning bible is very good


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jim]

I've never had a go Frankie but its something I would love to be able to do.

Frankie??

I think this is something we should all have a go at, at sometime ..

 

[Buckeye]

Stick to the iap tutorials and just do one, there is no substitute for doing it, make your mistakes, correct them and after a few attempts you will have one you are proud of.

Peter

 

[donwatson]

Kevin,
I would like a go at making from scratch as well, but getting the taps and dies would be the hardest bit I think

 

[wm460]

Most Taps ans dies readily available on ePay.

 

[Paul]

Speak to jimjam. I had the pleasure of seeing one of his in the flesh and it was stunning. I believe it even had a window to view the ink leveks!!!! ( maybe confusing two due to suffering from copious pen porn )

Of course he could see faults but that's because he is a perfectionist.

 

[bellringer]

Kevin,
I would like a go at making from scratch as well, but getting the taps and dies would be the hardest bit I think

As long as you don't want triple start then any good engineering supply will have them

 

[Penpal]

Down the path less trod is exciting but expensive these days I choose my battles.

Peter.

 

[InkyFingers]

Hi,

I've started making pens from scratch a few months ago and so far have made 3. It's a bit slow going because of other commitments.

I started using the IAP tutorial and googled for other info. I've broken a few blanks but I'm now getting the hang of it, ie I now know what not to do.

I was given some ( a lot of) taps and dies and I use BSB which is 26TPI. I use 3/8 for section to barrel and 1/2" for barrel to cap and I get acceptable results.

I use a metal lathe to do the primary shaping tapping and dieing and a wood lathe to finish. I've also made some mandrels to support the section/barrel/cap when polishing. I bought 6.5 and 7.4mm taps from silverpen parts. You'll need these for no7 and no6 nib feeders. If you look and their web site don't be too put off buy the postage he only charged me what it cost. I use Jowo nibs with their feeds which I buy from some one on this forum (I say "someone" because I've forgotten who at the moment).

I have issues with clips at the moment because I can't find off the shelf ones that are generic and the standard kit ones are for smaller diameters and I have to modify them.

All in all I'd give it a go. One point is that I allow 3 blanks per pen.

Inky

 

[kjmc1957]

Hi All

Many thanks for all the in put from every one, I'm gonna make a start towards the end of this month, I've just ordered the Pen Turners bible off Amazon, I'm very much a visual learner so if I can see it I can generally understand it.
InkFingers
Why do you use a metal lathe in particular rather than just a small table top lathe?

 

[Penpal]

Hi,

I've started making pens from scratch a few months ago and so far have made 3. It's a bit slow going because of other commitments.

I started using the IAP tutorial and googled for other info. I've broken a few blanks but I'm now getting the hang of it, ie I now know what not to do.

I was given some ( a lot of) taps and dies and I use BSB which is 26TPI. I use 3/8 for section to barrel and 1/2" for barrel to cap and I get acceptable results.

I use a metal lathe to do the primary shaping tapping and dieing and a wood lathe to finish. I've also made some mandrels to support the section/barrel/cap when polishing. I bought 6.5 and 7.4mm taps from silverpen parts. You'll need these for no7 and no6 nib feeders. If you look and their web site don't be too put off buy the postage he only charged me what it cost. I use Jowo nibs with their feeds which I buy from some one on this forum (I say "someone" because I've forgotten who at the moment).

I have issues with clips at the moment because I can't find off the shelf ones that are generic and the standard kit ones are for smaller diameters and I have to modify them.

All in all I'd give it a go. One point is that I allow 3 blanks per pen.

Inky

I find your post a massive help putting together total cost the first number made represent a great outlay so all care in choosing suppliers are welcome mate.

Peter.

 

[donwatson]

Inkyfingers,
Is that the standard BSP taps and dies you are using ?
I was thinking of using them as they are quite a fine thread, the 1/8th BSP is about 3/8" dia and has 28 TPI, and the 1/4 BSP is about 1/2" and has 19 TPI.
I should have some of those sitting in a toolbox somewhere

 

[kjmc1957]

Inkyfingers,
Is that the standard BSP taps and dies you are using ?
I was thinking of using them as they are quite a fine thread, the 1/8th BSP is about 3/8" dia and has 28 TPI, and the 1/4 BSP is about 1/2" and has 19 TPI.I should have some of those sitting in a toolbox somewhere.

Is there an English version of this available? It's all Dutch to me...

I need to do a bit more reading!!