My sample Jnr Gent, chrome. http://www.taylorsmirfield.co.uk/

[Grump]

I was a bit concerned when I heard Peter's kit turned up without it's tubes and the ensuing chat about the pissabolity of the blank splitting on assembly as this is an issue I have experienced with these kits before.
On opening the kit it looked the same as any other Jnr Gent I have encountered, I am not impressed with the plastic insert and thread going on a metal thread, I have heard all the arguments and reasons but still don't like this setup but that is my foible, the kit is what it is and I have to put up with it or not use them.

I thought I would kill two birds with one stone here I have a free kit to use and had some snakewood blanks to turn for Lee so ideal for Lee to have this.
All seemed to go well until it came to assembly when sure enough the inevitable happened, yes the nib and the cap finial forced the tube to expand to a rate where it did indeed split the blank.
I do believe there is a tube sizing issue with these kits that has never been resolved.

I know Neil has done many of this sized kit and did mean to ask him which drill he uses, but I didn't
Looking at Timberbits destruction's David gives: Drill Bit required – 25/64" (or 10mm) & 15/32". I have all of these and used a 10mm for the bottom tube so that may be a failing on my part if so that should be deleted from the destruction's init?
Or a set of correct destruction's issued with the kit, it is one or the other and should not be a choice if you want success every time.
Anyway on to the pics I am still messing with my camera and what looks good on my screen may look awful to you so let me know on that score I know you will.



And here is Dan's pic with his card.



This is the split that I am not happy about maybe it could open debate, is it the tube or the drill size or the blank or just me being a plonker?



Disappointed with that effort I immediately picked a kit I know to be 10mm and turn this one from the same wood in the same circumstances.

 

[Woody]

I had the same problem with the 10mm drill and the tubes were tight so I opened the wood up with the 25/64" I found the last lot of J/G from Oz to be of poor quality so I switched to the Barron kit

 

[Grump]

I had the same problem with the 10mm drill and the tubes were tight so I opened the wood up with the 25/64" I found the last lot of J/G from Oz to be of poor quality so I switched to the Barron kit

I stopped buying them altogether until they sorted their act out, clearly they haven't.
Dan many thanks for the opportunity to discover this without spending my hard earned init?

 

[Grump]

Oh and a thing I have discovered while using it, it doesn't matter which way around the spring is placed in the barrel it won't return once pushed in.
Press to hard and the refill goes in and stays there until you unscrew the nib and pull it out.

 

[paulm]

Thats an excellent review Brian although a shame on Dans part as he now has issues with his supplier already. The photos are fine too.

 

[Terry]

Nice review on the pen Brian. I can't comment on the kit as I think I have ever only assembled one. I am like Woody and go for the Baron.
Your pics still lack a bit of sharpness but you are getting there!!!! LOL

 

[silver]

The snake wood looks stunning Grump..

Pity about the tubes, it's not that you drilled incorrectly mate. I drilled some last year from Rizheng and that kit had the same problem.

It would be interesting to measure the fittings that push in to the tube and the tube ID, my thought are they have left too much on for the interference fit. The ones I did was just that.

 

[brody2123]

That wood is nice Brian mate and the review is informative. It's a shame that the kits suffer these issues as I was thinking about getting some, but it sounds like the Baron is the way to go as far as consistency is concerned.
Nice one mate

 

[billyb_imp]

Excellant review Brian, plenty of info and great photos to go with it

I have 3 lots of blanks / tubes glued up and ready to go (although not from Dan) so will be careful

 

[bassethound]

Very good info On the problems and good pictures! Nice wood and finish!

 

[Grump]

The snake wood looks stunning Grump..

Pity about the tubes, it's not that you drilled incorrectly mate. I drilled some last year from Rizheng and that kit had the same problem.

It would be interesting to measure the fittings that push in to the tube and the tube ID, my thought are they have left too much on for the interference fit. The ones I did was just that.

Yes Eamonn I should have known better and checked everything before drilling but my point is and always has been, that the kit should be of a usable quality and it should fit together from the packet without the need for reaming, drilling oversize or any other adaptation.
How come the Baron and Sedona don't suffer the same issues when the are essentially the same kit?
Do we have to put up with seconds, is it a quality control issue?
I don't want to hear the " get what you pay for" argument I just want a usable kit.

 

[Grump]

Ok Eamonn, if you fancy doing some sums on compression ratios or whatever they may be.
I have found what I think is my last Jnr Gent kit, It is not from Dan and is probably over 5 years old.
The bottom tube measures 9.73 at one end and 9.75 at the other externally 9.18 and 9.21 internally.
The bottom flange (nib flange) 9.34 and top is 9.25 external.
I have not measured the top tube as all my issues were at the bottom.
I will make this kit up now and use the larger end for the nib although it's only 0.03 difference which I dare say runs within tolerance. lets see what happens this time init?

 

[silver]

Looking forward to the post Grump..

Out of interest tho, there is a difference to the Jr gent that is supplied by timberbits kits and the Jr gent II that is supplied by CSUSA.

I believe that the tolerances that you have quoted are an acceptable level but it's the fitting that could throw it out if they are designed for an interference fit and if that's done with the narrow end then it might just throw up a few problems.

I will put a post together later to show the difference between the two kits later if I get chance.. BBQ getting in the way at moment.. oh and the tinnies..

 

[Buckeye]

Commiserations Brian, at least you will be able to turn the wood off, the tubes will be just right now. It looks a lovely pen, without the split.

Peter

 

[Grump]

All sorted and done finished split filled with sawdust and ca, not ideal but it don't show now.
Notice the difference in the Sierra's old thin and new fatter the old is the matching bands top and bottom.

 

[Jim]

I know we go on about the price of the Snakewood, but it certainly does make nice looking pens, Brian's being no exception ..

I had actually forgotten about the smaller tube used on the Sierra Brian .. The fatter tube to does look much better ..

 

[paulm]

They're all very nice Brian, I do prefer the matching bands though.

 

[angelo49]

The pen was done perfectly with a nice piece
of wood.
Too bad about the crack, but a nice save.

 

[Goulss]

Is there a difference in the Golds or is it just the photo?

Oh and very very nice pens by the way

 

[Grump]

I think they are the same, I can't compare them now as they are parceled up ready to post but here is a brighter picture done for Ed without the shadows that may shed some light.