Pen Bushings

[allan.macleod51@gmail.com]

Hi is there such a thing as a chart to tell you which bushings will fit what pen so as you don't have to double up on bushes ie what bushes will double up to fit another kit
Allan

 

[Grump]

If there is you can ignore it cos no two bushes nor tubes are the same size.
They are bushes not bushings take 50 lines "they are not bushings init"?

 

[Penpal]

It would be a massive list there are so many pen kits I use calipers to measure as I turn.

Peter.

 

[21William]

Some websites like Penn State show the exact size of the bushes on their instruction PDF's which is handy.

 

[Scots Bill]

Hi Mac,
I was wondering exactly the same thing!

 

[billyb_imp]

Its been tried, we even had a go at it on here with a spreadsheet showing dimensions for all things pen but in the end not enough interest. The original info although correct for a pen will be wrong when you end up buying the supposed same kit from a different manufacturer.

I soon learnt accurately measure the tubes before drilling & try to get your bushes made by the manufacturer of the kit, not as easy as you might think

 

[Grump]

Some websites like Penn State show the exact size of the bushes on their instruction PDF's which is handy.

They show the exact size of what the bushes should be, unfortunately they are not necessarily made to the exact size and if they are, there is no guarantee they will fit the supplied tubes.
An age old argument not only here, people have tried to gather information on standards, sizes etc, we tried to get a database together ourselves in the past but gave up due to lack of interest.

As Peter suggests, measure everything and make or find something that fits, or throw the bushes out and turn between centers using calipers.

Billy beat me to it init?

 

[Phil Dart]

The problem is Allan, that although one kit may have the same nominal tube sizes and finished dimensions as another kit, that manufacturer may make their tubes with a thinner of thicker wall than the other kit. A Turner's Retreat Baron for instance shares similar dimensions with a cheap and cheerful Jr Gent. The drill sizes for the tubes are the same and so are the finished sizes, but I wouldn't like so say that the inside diameters of the tubes of both kits are the same, and therefore you are better off buying bushings for the each kit from its respective manufacturer, rather than trying to save two or three quid by compromising.

Sometimes, a manufacturer has similar kits themselves, where the same bushings WILL do the job. Back to TR's Baron as an example, they do a Sedona which is based on the same platform, with the same tubes, so one set will cover both. But generally speaking, mixing bushings between manufacturers is a recipe for error in my experience.

Just as a side note - call them what you like. Bushes, bushings. Who cares. He's right really, but I make a point of calling them bushings in this forum specifically because it is guaranteed to get a reaction from Brian. Works every time. Sometimes it ups the stakes if you point it out too. I don't do bungy jumping, but this is quite good sport if you want an adrenaline rush. Oops - Sorry Brian - you know love you really Respect init

Edit: Ooh - lots of posts crossed in the meantime, all essentially saying the same thing. We all agree at least. The adrenaline rush was good though.

 

[21William]

I soon learnt accurately measure the tubes before drilling & try to get your bushes made by the manufacturer of the kit, not as easy as you might think

That's not good is it. Good tip though Billy, I'll try to accurately measure the tube first.

I did mention in another thread about conical bushes and it seems some folks use them. Perhaps they're a better idea?

 

[Grump]

Conical bushes are not a panacea for all pens, be careful not to flare the tubes ends, then you'l be complaining about split wood and ill fitting finials etc.
They do work for applying ca or as an emergency bush for a makeshift or experimental pen.
How big are your cones going to be? Some tubes will swallow the cones inside on the larger kits.
The only real answers have already been said, either use the right size bushes or don't use them at all.
Above all measure everything and act accordingly.

 

[Bammer]

Just as a side note - call them what you like. Bushes, bushings. Who cares. He's right really, but I make a point of calling them bushings in this forum specifically because it is guaranteed to get a reaction from Brian. Works every time. Sometimes it ups the stakes if you point it out too. I don't do bungy jumping, but this is quite good sport if you want an adrenaline rush. Oops - Sorry Brian - you know love you really Respect init

I like to call them bearings, he won't have a clue what your on about and when he realises you meant bushings steam will come out of his ears, his fingers will hit 2 keys at once and more steam will come out and you will get called all kinds of names ...

Make sure when you reply you meantion a nice piece of Elm BURL you inted to use ....

 

[Woody]

I treat bushes as consumables if I buy the same kit from a different supplier I buy his bushes at the same time at the end of the day if you buy new bushes every say 20 kits then you have only added a few coppers to your cost of making a pen

 

[Grump]

Cheers Phil and Brad, love you too init?

 

[allan.macleod51@gmail.com]

hi all i was just wondering as here in the UK sometime the Bushes/Bushings/Bearings are dearer than the pen kit making it very pricey
Allan

 

[Grump]

Sorry Alan but anything you do find will be unreliable in practice init?
I do sympathize and fully agree that there should be a reliable source of correct measurements but in the making tolerances differ so much between manufacturers it makes it impossible to facilitate.
I overcome the situation by turning between centres which in effect are cones by their nature or making my own bushes to fit, I believe many others do the same.
A rod of Delrin or Nylon is cheap and easily turned on your existing lathe with the tools you already have and makes wonderful disposable bushes.

 

[Buckeye]

hi all i was just wondering as here in the UK sometime the Bushes/Bushings/Bearings are dearer than the pen kit making it very pricey
Allan

You are not wrong and it is galling when the bushes are made in china or taiwan and cost less than 20p per set to make and are sold around 50p per set to the importers. I know importers have to make money, that's business, but some of the prices they charge for bushes are ridiculous, if you buy a dozen of the same kit then the price is not too bad overall, but if you just want to try 1 kit then it's well worth not buying the bushes and turn it between centres or better still refuse to buy the kit unless they reduce the price of the bushes.

Peter

 

[Phil Dart]

I'm just going through the process of having bushings made for the new Mistral kit. I wish they DID cost 50p a set. Sadly though, they don't, then they have to be shipped, then Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has to make a bit too (including 20% the cost of shipping!!). So by the time they're "landed" they are vastly more than 50p I'm afraid. I promise I'll sell them as cheaply as possible though, because I agree - they ARE consumable and you shouldn't have to pay the earth for them.

 

[Terry Q]

Here is a pretty good listing of bushing and tube sizes. http://www.penturners.org/forum/f109/bushing-tube-dimensions-kit-suppliers-135922/#post1805105

 

[Buckeye]

I'm just going through the process of having bushings made for the new Mistral kit. I wish they DID cost 50p a set. Sadly though, they don't, then they have to be shipped, then Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has to make a bit too (including 20% the cost of shipping!!). So by the time they're "landed" they are vastly more than 50p I'm afraid. I promise I'll sell them as cheaply as possible though, because I agree - they ARE consumable and you shouldn't have to pay the earth for them.

I can see where your bushings would cost more than I quoted, but I was assuming the mass produced kits were being talked about and not a relatively small volume as your will start off. I will keep an eye on it though and when you reach 100,000 per month then free bushings should be the order of the day

Peter

 

[21William]

Has anyone else noticed how roughly made some bushes are? The score marks inside some of them look like they've been drilled with an old blunt spade bit!

http://www.axminster.co.uk/craftprokits-bushing-set-for-rialto-rollerball-pen-kit-212194