cnirenberg
Member
This is primarily for John T. (jttheclockman) but if it helps anyone else it is worth it. John had posted a question on what other options there are to mill the ends of metal pens other than the standard pen mill. The pen mill is just a customized style of counterbore wih a spacial pilot which cleans out the tube (7mm). Back in the day, I figured that I wanted to get a larger pen mill (started to turn larger diameter pens), but didn't particularly like the CSUSA style. I got the 3/4" counterbore fron ENCO. It will hold a 1/4" pilot, which is really a piece of old 1/4" drill stock. It is fastened with a set screw. I used it on plastics, wood and metal. The end mill is a 10mm carbide 4 flute. I used this to mill a recess into the cap of the slimstyle pens, and made sure the tenon of the barrel was slightly smaller than 10mm. I was not happy with the fact that you could see a gap (however small) between the 2 pieces. If you want to use an end mill rather than your pen mill, try to figure out what the largest pen you will make and go from there. These are not cheap. There are other posts by our members that offer group buys and custon mills. Check them out as well prior to buying anything, I'm sure that they will work for you.
The great thing about turning and penmaking is that there are many ways of going about getting things done, its finding what works for you that is the hard part.
The great thing about turning and penmaking is that there are many ways of going about getting things done, its finding what works for you that is the hard part.
