Advice from a Newbie

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latenitetim

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Messages
18
Location
Maryland
One of the most important tools to have is a caliper. I have found that sometimes the bushings don't match up in size to some pen parts. It isn't cool finding out after you already have your pen assembled that your turning don't match up to the nibs or bands. Measure all your parts and bushing and adjust your turning and sanding accordingly. Take your time. Remember haste makes waste.
 
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Lee K

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
217
Location
Carrollton, GA
One of the most important tools to have is a caliper. I have found that sometimes the bushings don't match up in size to some pen parts. It isn't cool finding out after you already have your pen assembled that your turning don't match up to the nibs or bands. Measure all your parts and bushing and adjust your turning and sanding accordingly. Take your time. Remember haste makes waste.
agreed .... its its always that 'last cut' that gets you :biggrin:
 

hdtran

Member
Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
147
Location
Albuquerque, NM, USA.
One of the most important tools to have is a caliper. I have found that sometimes the bushings don't match up in size to some pen parts. It isn't cool finding out after you already have your pen assembled that your turning don't match up to the nibs or bands. Measure all your parts and bushing and adjust your turning and sanding accordingly. Take your time. Remember haste makes waste.

If you're too cheap to buy a $20 caliper, for most pen kits, you can match the back of the bushing against the pen hardware, to make sure you've matched the correct bushing to the correct kit. (Don't ask me how I know that!)
 

azamiryou

Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Messages
1,015
Location
Silver Spring, MD USA
One of the most important tools to have is a caliper. I have found that sometimes the bushings don't match up in size to some pen parts. It isn't cool finding out after you already have your pen assembled that your turning don't match up to the nibs or bands.

I would add that some kits have diameters that look like they match, but they don't - make sure and double-check which bushing you use where. E.g., the Jr. Gent 2 lower barrel is different sizes at each end.
 
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
97
Location
Drakesville, Iowa
One good way to force you to use your calipers every time, is to throw your fishing tackle box with all the bushings, down on the ground where they will be mixed up into a nice collection of scrambled bushing. This causes you great anguish and makes you run for the calipers. The purpose of this exercise, apparently, is for me to really be familiar with my calipers.
 

PenMan1

Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2009
Messages
6,380
Location
Eatonton, Georgia
I actually use 4 sets of calipers (I make mostly capped roller balls and custom pieces). Each caliper is set for the exact piece where it will fit on the blank, before the lathe is even turned on.

This method allows me to get away from TBC and back to the mandrel. By making my own bushings (my bushings are not even used as a reference. They fit into the tube and are undersized). By mounting my mandrel in a Beal chuck and using undersized bushings, I can "taper" my fit at the joints without the bushings getting in my way.

By using this set up, I can get the same accuracy as TBC, as the Beall keeps mandrels from bending. Additionally, turning both barrels at the same time allows me more creative possibilities.
 

latenitetim

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Messages
18
Location
Maryland
One good way to force you to use your calipers every time, is to throw your fishing tackle box with all the bushings, down on the ground where they will be mixed up into a nice collection of scrambled bushing. This causes you great anguish and makes you run for the calipers. The purpose of this exercise, apparently, is for me to really be familiar with my calipers.
That sounds like something I would do. I am always dropping something.
 
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