My First Pen

[InkyFingers]

Hi All,

After spending time making bushes, mandrel etc I eventually got around to making my first pen.

Its a comfort kit from Axminster.



So what have I learned.
1) Don't trust the dimensions given for the bushes or use them as a guide and take separate measurements.
2) Find a way of holding the tube upright when facing the ends. Might turn a kind of pin with large dia base.
3) Buy a better range of sandpaper.
4) My home made wax gives a nice but not shiny finish.

Over all I'm happy I've done it and I can make the next one better ie body and centre ring the same dia.
BUT on the positive side it's comfortable and it writes just like a pen. I'm liking this.

Cheers

Inky

 

[Buckeye]

Well done on your first attempt, you have learned a valuable lesson not to trust bushes, always measure even for the same kit

Peter

 

[yorkshireman]

Nowt wrong with that Inky, you're off to a good start

 

[Vic Perrin]

Give yourself a great big pat on the back. Excellent first attempt.

Vic

 

[chas_41_uk]

Good first attempt Inky
Also make sure the tubes are the right length. I've had a couple of kits (from Axminster) where one of the brass tubes was shorter than it should have been :nonono:

 

[paulm]

Thats a lovely pen for a first, second, third.....

Now the expense starts with mills, different kits, pen press, blank vice... the list goes on. Welcome to bankruptcy

 

[Woody]

Well done Inky a very good first attempt no wonder your so pleased

 

[InkyFingers]

Many thanks for your praise.

I've got two pieces of acrylic ready to turn, I need to make sure the ends are squared off though.

I may get a chance in a minute as my wife and daughter have gone shoppong.

Thanks

inky

 

[Paul]

Well done fella you should be pleased.

On a separate note how did you get it to stick to the wall... Bluetac?

 

[Grump]

Give yourself a great big pat on the back. Excellent first attempt.

Vic

That's the comment init?

 

[Penpal]

Blimy mate fit for anyone really to have made I can go with the Comfort if you clutch your pens that way I have never made one cause I never tried them, they remind me of a clerk with leather patches on the elbows and sunshade meant to use and for as long a time as you need to prevent sore knuckles but for me thats association, now to plain backgrounds and cropping Inky to separate the essential pen.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[Terry]

Excellent first effort Inky. Well done!!!!

 

[bassethound]

Nothing wrong with that for a first pen mate, bloody good job in fact!

 

[Kawakers]

be proud Inky thats a good 1st attempt

 

[Jim]

Well, definitely worth the wait my friend .. Excellent pen for a first timer .. All down hill after this ..

 

[Buckeye]

Many thanks for your praise.

I've got two pieces of acrylic ready to turn, I need to make sure the ends are squared off though.

I may get a chance in a minute as my wife and daughter have gone shoppong.

Thanks

inky

You are have to stamp that out right away, there is never enough money for wives and daughters to shop as well as a lathe habit.

Peter

 

[silver]

Really well done.. If my first pen looked half as good as that I would have been over the moon....

Some would say if my pens look that good now I should be over the moon..

 

[bluntchisel]

Well that ain't at all bad for a first effort, Inky! Bloody well done, matey!

Bob.

 

[Jimjam66]

Lovely pen for a first attempt, mate! I'm not a fan of that rubber bit, but that doesn't detract from the job you did.

 

[InkyFingers]

Even more praise, many thanks.

As Jim said "It's all down hill from now". Unfortunately that referred to quality.
The second one in acrylic failed.
Some how the lower section was not concentric although the upper section was. I think that the headstock was to tight and bent the mandrel or the dissimilar materials in the plastic caused it to catch slightly on the tool and bend the mandrel in a consistent way. The mandrel is from mild steel, maybe it's not stiff enough.

Also the lower section broke away from the inner tube when inserting the nib end. I think this was because the I hadn't shaved the end of the blank to the tube fully. Or it could be the wooden jaws of my vice are too soft.

The good thing is that the finish on the acrylic was excellent. I used down to 2000 emery and then some liquid polish I got from my Dad.

Buckeye: It was only food shopping so it's quite safe.

Oh and that's a cheap table cover not wall paper so gravity replaced blue tack.

Cheers

Inky