Green Lantern on Sierra

[DigBaddy72]

I finally got around to turning the really cool Green Lantern stamp blank that I got from CWalker935 in the last PITH exchange. Everything went fine until I pressed the parts into the blank. Looks like the resin separated from the tube near the bottom of the pen. Now, I use a very crappy way of pressing my pens (a hand clamp) and have had blanks crack in the past because the parts start to go crooked. So I am not in any way blaming Cody for this. I'm sure his casting process is just fine and this has to do with my inability to press a pen properly (say THAT five times fast! )

 

[Cwalker935]

Sorry about the separation. Looks good otherwise.

 

[DigBaddy72]

Sorry about the separation. Looks good otherwise.

Not a problem. Like I said, not sure what caused it. I'm using an old hand clamp at the moment to press pens, until I can get a better option. Some of my pens have cracked due to the clamping. Still a cool pen and my son likes it.

 

[mike4066]

Sorry about the separation. Looks good otherwise.

Not a problem. Like I said, not sure what caused it. I'm using an old hand clamp at the moment to press pens, until I can get a better option. Some of my pens have cracked due to the clamping. Still a cool pen and my son likes it.

Keith,

I used to use a hand clamp and had the same problems. Here's a few things I did to help stop the cracking.

1) Chamfer the tube: Using knife or file to put a small chamfer on the inside of the brass tube. That will also make sure there is nothing like CA inside the tube.

2) Pressing: Use a bench vice, or turn some inserts for your drill press or lathe. Something like the link below. https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/16/2798/Artisan-Pen-Ultimate-Assembly-Tool?term=lathe%20pen%20press

 

[DigBaddy72]

Thanks Mike!

 

[RedBeard]

I've used a hand clamp myself, and still do at times, but I use one of those one handed quick-clamp styles from Irwin....I think. I've found that these provide a gentler type of pressure as it's all dependent on squeezing that handle. It's difficult to get things perfectly in-line but so far I've been able to correct any misalignment. I've also used bushings like recommended above in my drill press vice.

 

[Chromey]

I use a deburring tool like this one to help. I does inside and outside of tube if you need it to. Helps to line things up. Reamer/Deburring Tool

 

[vakmere]

Harbor freight.