Sierra pen kits - unscrewing

[Natator]

Hi all :)

I recently got a new batch of Sierra pen kits. I've found that the two of the finishes come from one factory, and the third from another. I actually suspect one is in China and one Taiwan, but that's a guess. I've made this assumption as the metal finish on the mechanisms are slightly different and as if the thread ... I can't swap the mechanisms between pens with the wrong finish. I hope that makes sense, but it needn't really for my question.

I've found that, with one of these pen kits, when you twist the completed pen to retract the nib it ends up unscrewing where the mechanism joins the pen tip (see photo). The pen tip section turns within the tube, as it should, but when you should reach the point that the tip is fully retracted you can barely notice it ... resulting in you continuing to twist the pen and it unscrews the two parts. If I do the two parts up nice and tight it helps a little, but really not enough. As a result, someone picking up one of these pens, extends the nip, retracts it, and it feels like the pen is coming apart (well, 50% of the time) which is obviously not good.

Has anyone got any thoughts on what I might use to get these threads to grip a little better? Superglueing them. well, would sort it out but make replacing the refill sort of impossible.:wink:

 

[flexi]

I have had this before, even worse is I was selling through a shop and had a few customers do this, but what they would do was just push it back together..... leaving the mech stuck in the upper barrel....I still have the threaded tube I use/ used to remove them....
TBH I don't know a good way round it....yes you could use thread lock not glue to increase resistance....but it's not ideal. What I have done was to just swap kits, I haven't done a Sierra in about 2 years now and gave my remaining ones away.....
Try the Beaufort Sirroco or Zepher, Taylor's Mirfield Ares, I don't think you'll go back...

 

[Frederick]

Yep! What Mark said.

Cheers,
Frederick

 

[pittswood]

The same here!
Kelvin

 

[Natator]

Thanks for the advice there guys, I will definitely look into the Sirocco. Unfortunately I can't buy those here, Australia, but I can factor in postage costs and order them. As it happens I'm home in the UK next month so can pick some up them and bring back here.

My bigger problem, and why I need to fix the unscrewing issue, is that particular Sierra is by far my best selling pen. It's not that clear in the photo but if you look at the centreband there are kangaroos on it. I make my pens using Aussie hardwoods and coupled with the roos on the band it makes for a pen that is a very classy and unique souvenire (rather than the usual plastic rubbish). So, I really do need to fix the unscrewing issue as I really don't want to have to stop using them. :(

P.S. Pittswood ... I started diving 30 years ago, BSAC, but moved out here for the diving once I'd worn out Stoney Cove. I was bubbling last weekend and could even hear whales singing during it :)

 

[Pierre]

As Flexi said, I too had that problem such that I dont do Sierras anymore, I buy Siroccos from Phil, same essential design but much better quality and reliability . I havent tried it but I suppose a bit of PTFE tape rather than thread lock glue could increase the thread resistance and allow for refill changes.

PG

 

[flexi]

Postage to OZ is not a big issue, Mik Lawrence said it's about the same cost as internal.....Phil Dart will happily ship your way...

 

[Penpal]

All very exciting news,all the brit supplied is different to design one of the two mentioned is a little too slim for me. I do agree with the quality though. Trust MIK,s advice from here in Victoria.I am in a quandary from time to time three times in hospital in the last week and in between resetting my Vicmarc pens have halted for a bit. My son in law is into Special Beers so he bought a magnificent item and last night I made parts on the metal lathe for him that gave me huge satisfaction. As a non drinker it seems an oxymoron but I certainly enjoyed his happiness last night.

Peter.

 

[Natator]

I’ll try the tape, as I do want to keep using the roo pens. However, I’ll definitely also get into the Beaufort pens for the better quality.

Hope your medical dramas resolve themselves quickly, and well, Peter

 

[Pierre]

Peter, sent me a pen on a pen swap once (from the land of the corked hats ) it doesn't seem to have the unscrewing problems and the refill comes out of the gold nib end although it has the same mechanism. Ask him where he got the mechanism from once he gets out of hospital

 

[andyl]

Had exactly the same problem with the Sierra's.
Just stopped using them simply because my conscious would allow me to sell a potentially faulty pen.
As Flexi says, Sirocco's etc much better quality at more of less the same price.

 

[Les ELm]

Simple fix.

Les