Long Clicker Metallic Green

[qquake]

This is a Dayacom Long Clicker in bright copper. The blank is Metallic Green from Exotic blanks. I've wanted to make a Long Clicker for quite some time, and I'm glad I finally did. I like its simple elegance. I really like the green blank with the copper finish. There were several challenges involved, though, and I'll document them in subsequent posts.

 

[qquake]

The first challenge I ran into was drilling the blank. It calls for a 4-1/2" blank, and they recommend a drill bit with long flutes. I tried a 10" long impact bit I have, but it wasn't accurate enough. Same with the 12" standard bit I have. So I used my normal brad point bit, and raised the blank periodically as I drilled it. But it wouldn't drill past the flutes, so I finished it with a helix bit. I finally got it drilled all the way through. It didn't drill all that straight, but it was good enough.

 

[qquake]

The next challenge wasn't with the pen, but with the blank. This particular blank was much more brittle than I expected. Turning it was as bad as, if not worse than, turning inlace acrylester. The spindle gouge I normally use chipped it very badly. So I switched to a carbide chisel, which was better. I wanted the body to have a slight bulge, but I was afraid to try shaping it with either chisel, as I was afraid the ends would chip out. That has happened to me in the past. So I reverted to the tried and true 120 grit chisel. That worked better than I expected. I polished it with my usual regimen, and it turned out quite nice. There are a couple of some sort of occlusions in the blank, but I don't think they look bad. They're not on the surface.

 

[qquake]

Assembling it was very easy, with only two parts to press into the body. It came with a sleeve to use for pressing the click mechanism into the finial end. Nice touch. But surprisingly, the Dayacom refill it came with wouldn't write. Fortunately, I ordered the upgrade EasyFlow refill with the pen kit. It writes well, but there is a ridge on the tip which kind of catches when the refill is retracted. Not as smooth as I like, but I can live with it.

 

[PSNCO]

I turn a lot of these kits. They were once very reasonable at Timberbits. Finding a drill bit long enough is always a challenge. A couple years ago, I came across a long "V" drill bit at Rockler's clearance aisle. Best $5 I ever spent.

 

[Sappheiros]

Thanks for sharing your process with us! The pen looks great! Sometimes it feels like I'm the only ones having any challenges, so thank you. The pen makes me think of Oz!

 

[qquake]

I'm thinking about trying a Fisch pen makers bit. They're expensive, but then, I'm a tool whore. It looks like the flutes are longer than on a standard bit.

Buy 3/8" Fisch Parabolic Flute Pen Maker's Bit at Woodcraft.com

 

[qquake]

Thanks for sharing your process with us! The pen looks great! Sometimes it feels like I'm the only ones having any challenges, so thank you. The pen makes me think of Oz!

Trust me, you're definitely not the only one having challenges. I just don't document all of mine. It is kind of Oz-like, isn't it?

 

[rudya7]

If you align the drill bit to the clamp that is holding the blank a little bit better, vertically, not just centered on the top of the blank, you will be able to drill the blank with a short bit by drilling half way through and the flipping the blank to the other end, and complete the drilling from the opposite end. This also eliminates the blow out that sometimes happens with acrylic blanks. I use a mortising machine as a drill press and the PHD vise, which allows for almost perfect vertical alignment top to bottom once its set up properly. I love these long clickers as they really give you a lot of space to showcase a good looking blank. I used to worry about drilling the long blanks before I got the setup dialed in properly. Now they are some of my favorites.

 

[magpens]

Thanks for sharing !!!!

I like the long clicker except for the unsightly large pushbutton !