What did I do wrong

[kjmc1957]

Hi all

Need some help, I made an Empress Roller Ball, got the kit from Axminster, very nice, just what was ordered, as far as I am aware I turned the kit as described, but when I gave it to the lady who wanted it she has shown me that when y
she writes with it the roller ball nib sinks back into the body under slight pressure, have I made a school boy error somewhere, all help gratefully relieved.

 

[Grump]

Spring goes on the top of the rollerbal refill.
It will push in with firm pressure.

 

[Buckeye]

Springs are probably not in place.

Peter

 

[billyb_imp]

As the others say seems like a problem with the position of the spring, should be at the top end of the refill, opposite end to the ball / nib end

 

[wm460]

How embarrassing.

 

[Buckeye]

How embarrassing.

Testing should be done before you sell.

Peter

 

[Jim]

I would also go with the spring Kevin .. And as Peter says testing the pens when you assemble them helps find any issues .. I have a pad of those Coloured Post It Notes on the bench .. Useful little things they are .. :wink:

 

[Penpal]

I cant picture your pen kit but I can say if it comes down to spring pressure some springs do not do the job I stretch them a little usually fixes that. a picture mate gives added detail of the problem. When I started work in the 1951 era I used to make my own springs with rolls of spring wire for machinery large and small in a huge Govt Printing workshop. I was a heavy smoker so I quit cause it was a smoke free building. Finally quit smoking 55 yrs ago.

Peter.

 

[kjmc1957]

Hi All

Thank You for the advice, I put the spring in at the top of the pen, above the refill, I did a quick test after assembly, had the issue as described so I removed the spring and stretched it a little, seemed ok when I did it, but when she showed me it was quite obviously retracting under the pressure of being written with. The refill doesn't rattle around in the pen so I presume the spring is in contact with the refill.

If any other fixes come to mind I'd still be grateful, I'm not sure if I have many or any other springs as I don't generally carry a stock of pen kits.


Sorry I didn't take any photos as I haven't got a light box set up and the phone does cr*p photos

 

[ni9eofse7en]

I don't know the kit and I may be wrong, but could it do with something which goes in between the internals and the spring compressing the spring and therefore making it stiffer, and less likely to compress too much under nibs pressure.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Certainly seems like the spring is not exerting enough pressure on the refill

Vic

 

[kjmc1957]

Hi John

Not sure, the top tube on the empress is a very big tube so there shouldn't be much in the way of internals.

I have just found a spring from a Panache kit, do you think this will be ok.

 

[ni9eofse7en]

I am not sure, I am just thinking like a car mechanic, a stiffer spring should compress less, and should be more resistant to nib retraction under pressure. I am sure there are more experienced turners on here who have other solutions.

 

[Penpal]

I bought a box of mixed springs( small) from our Bunnings super hardware joint it already saved me twice over and today when I draw our pension I collect the freeby pens that have almost identical springs for their click action.

Peter.

 

[Penpal]

JUst downloaded from Axminster the parts diagram for that kit there is only one way to fit that spring next thing to make sure it holds firm as it compresses square on to the refill pressure seems plenty of room in there for a stronger spring. I have a granddaughter that presses so hard she could destroy that pen.

Peter.

 

[kjmc1957]

Hi Peter you are quite right, it's a tiny little spring, it's slightly conical in shape and the Axi instructions appear to show the narrow end is put in first so that the broader end can sit on top of the refill, that is what I've done, I'll try the Panache spring tomorrow

 

[Buckeye]

Hi Peter you are quite right, it's a tiny little spring, it's slightly conical in shape and the Axi instructions appear to show the narrow end is put in first so that the broader end can sit on top of the refill, that is what I've done, I'll try the Panache spring tomorrow

That is the wrong way to put the spring in, you put the wide end of the spring in first.

Peter

 

[kjmc1957]

Thanks Peter, I'll reverse it tomorrow, but I'll take the Panache spring in just in case.

 

[Buckeye]

Thanks Peter, I'll reverse it tomorrow, but I'll take the Panache spring in just in case.

The spring should be trapped in the finial so it should never come loose and get lost.

Peter

 

[Phil Dart]

Just as Peter has said, the thin end of the spring should be touching the refill, not the fat end. If you need a replacement spring, they are here.

Spare springs for pen kits