twist mechanism problems

[Lons]

I've found that some of the slimline twist mechanisms are quite stiff to operate whilst others are nice and smooth. Has anyone had similar problems and is there a solution? I havent lubricated them with anything in case I make it worse or damage the finish. I know they aren't distorted and I cleaned the tubes carefully so they pushed in easily though I didn't think to check what they were like before fitting.

They came from TB so I'll email him if necessary for advice. I've also had a couple of undersized slimline tubes which I note has been mentioned previously but that hasn't caused a problem as I bought spares.

Bob

 

[silver]

Bob,

Try them out prior to fitting them, if they are tight, notchy or loose bin them and get a new one.

I have tried all sorts over the years and they usually fail in the end, often when the customer has got the pen... and that's bad advert for you..

So I replace them now if I have any problems..

 

[Doug]

Bob,

Try them out prior to fitting them, if they are tight, notchy or loose bin them and get a new one.

I have tried all sorts over the years and they usually fail in the end, often when the customer has got the pen... and that's bad advert for you..

So I replace them now if I have any problems..

+ 1.....good advice

 

[rowdyyates115]

Touch wood, I haven't had this problem but I would do the same bin it - its your reputation on-line....

 

[mattyts]

I have this problem,and i have also had the problem of some of the polishing media getting stuck in the twist mechs which renders them useless (and the whole pen useless unless you notice before fitting)

 

[Neil]

Bob,

I haven't experienced significant problems, sometimes some of the mechanisms are stiff as they have been in stock in China and then Australia before being eventually shipped and then installed. could be a couple of years before they are actually used. Most of the stiff ones that I've had have eased up after a few twists backwards and forwards. If that doesn't work a very quick burst of lubricating spray should work.

Regarding undersized tubes, I haven't had any undersized tubes, but I have had some tubes that won't fit onto the bushes. This has been caused on two occasions because of the clamping machine that grasps the tube when it is cut to length. I don't know the intricacies of manufacturing brass tubing but I used to design aluminium extrusion dies, and when extruded it is impossible to get a smaller tube.

However I recently had ten ultra cigar pens from penkitsuk.com and the lower tubes were "too small". Brian was round my house and we mulled over the problem and found that when we revolved the end of the tubes it wasn't quite round. Very close inspection showed that it had been held in something like a three jaw chuck, presumably when it was cut to length and the end of the tube had taken on a slightly triangular shape, be it almost invisible to the naked eye. We measured the dia of the ends of the tubes and the middle and sure enough they were different.

Axminster sell good value 51.5mm lengths of 7mm tubes, part number, 800399,

 

[silver]

I have this problem,and i have also had the problem of some of the polishing media getting stuck in the twist mechs which renders them useless (and the whole pen useless unless you notice before fitting)

Hi mat, you can strip them back down and fit a new mechanism..

 

[bellringer]

i have only had one and it has loosened up

 

[Neil]

I have this problem,and i have also had the problem of some of the polishing media getting stuck in the twist mechs which renders them useless (and the whole pen useless unless you notice before fitting)

Matt, you lost me here? What do you mean by polishing media and how does it get anywhere near the mechanism before you assemble it? Sorry no understand?

 

[Penpal]

Early in the week I two very tight ones that eased up right away be careful not to discard most of them the twist motion is a lot easier to turn when fitted as a rule
I always check because I have found the odd one that will never work also some than do not wind in and out fully I find best success pressing winding mechs when I manually press them after twisting the mech forward I do this on opening the packets, out of habit I caliper every nose and every centre ring and turn to that size (no surprises then). Using the type of tapered reamer helps me get a clean start pressing as well.

Peter.

 

[Jim]

I have had some issues of late with the same issue, but only where they are too tight. :nonono:

 

[paulm]

I've not had this problem and bought most of my slimline kits from ebay.

 

[mattyts]

Matt, you lost me here? What do you mean by polishing media and how does it get anywhere near the mechanism before you assemble it? Sorry no understand?

When parts are polished,they are usually put in a ball mill (a tube that rotates,washing machine kinda thing) with little balls(media) that constantly move and polish the bits while the ball mill is rotating.one of the little balls slipped into the twist mech and was lodged in there.

Similar systems are used in polishing brass shells for shooting,perhaps a video would explain a bit better than I can Brass Cleaning Tumbler - YouTube

 

[bellringer]

When parts are polished,they are usually put in a ball mill (a tube that rotates,washing machine kinda thing) with little balls(media) that constantly move and polish the bits while the ball mill is rotating.one of the little balls slipped into the twist mech and was lodged in there.

Similar systems are used in polishing brass shells for shooting,perhaps a video would explain a bit better than I can Brass Cleaning Tumbler - YouTube

I would be surprised if they polish the twist mechanism as the are not shiny and are oily from manufacturing and the rest of the part are plated so it is not needed

 

[mattyts]

I would be surprised if they polish the twist mechanism as the are not shiny and are oily from manufacturing and the rest of the part are plated so it is not needed

I bet they do something similar to knock off any burrs and similar bits off

 

[bellringer]

They don't

 

[mattyts]

Hm..well it was definitely polishing media as I use the stuff myself,wonder how it got there

 

[bellringer]

well my have been some of yours i know the stuff as we use it in are tumbler for the case before reloading if we can be bothered

 

[mattyts]

well my have been some of yours i know the stuff as we use it in are tumbler for the case before reloading if we can be bothered

No,the way it was lodged in means it was put there before the twist mech was assembled so must have been done during the manufacturing process

 

[Grump]

All plated parts have to be highly polished before the plating is added.
The acid in the plating media would soon eat any foreign matter in there which would not happen as the parts are rinsed and degreased before dipping.