Need a good pen press
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knowltoh
Member
I like my Harbor Freight arbor press much better.
Dustygoose
Member
I use my drill press
gimpy
Member
Arbor press for sure
ttpenman
Member
There is a YouTube video I watched just the other day to make a wood press. Works great and costs almost nothing. I use a wood press I got from HUT 15 years ago and still going strong. Just make it out of a hardwood like Maple.
Jeff in northern Wisconsin
Jeff in northern Wisconsin
longbeard
Member
Have to agree with the guys above. This is a 1 ton, they also have a 1/2 ton version thats cheaper.
1 Ton Arbor Press & Other Arbor Presses - Harbor Freight Tools
1 Ton Arbor Press & Other Arbor Presses - Harbor Freight Tools
its_virgil
Member
Not an arbor press fan…sorry guys! To each his own. I've had several pen presses over the years from purchased to homemade to drill presses to … well you get the idea. My current and FAVORITE is this one: Milescraft 4700 Turners Press for Joining Pens and Other Turned Projects of All Types - Amazon.com
Merry Christmas
Don
Merry Christmas
Don
Mike Powell
Member
I dont have that Press from woodcraft, I think I have the step under it. I have had no problems with mine, and prefer it over the C clamp I was using.
The Press I have is the one you add/remove spacers to for correct fitment.
The Press I have is the one you add/remove spacers to for correct fitment.
Dan Masshardt
Member
Woodworkers vise for me with magnetic sheets to cover the jaws. I've never had the desire for anything else.
TwoCatsPens
Member
I use my lathe. I turned a couple of pieces of wood to fit the MT at the head and tailstock, attached a couple of small scraps from on old poly cutting board and just use that. Super convenient, very fine degree of control because you use the wheel to gradually ease the pieces together.
I drill / turn / finish and assemble all using the lathe. Now if could just get it to fix a decent cup of coffee I'd be great.
Prior to that, I had made a pen press out of bar clamp from HF. Just cut off the excess length and added a couple of poly cutting board pads over the clamp faces.
Steve
I drill / turn / finish and assemble all using the lathe. Now if could just get it to fix a decent cup of coffee I'd be great.
Prior to that, I had made a pen press out of bar clamp from HF. Just cut off the excess length and added a couple of poly cutting board pads over the clamp faces.
Steve
longbeard
Member
I like those Don, didnt realize amazon sold those, thanks for link. I had thought about making my own using a toggle clamp as i use my arbor press for other things. Thanks
Whaler
Member
I bought this one from Woodcraft 7 or 8 years ago and it works fine.
yorkie
Member
I've had the Milescraft for a long time and love it.
rich gubbin
Member
Milescraft for me too, works really well.
monophoto
Member
I suppose a dedicated press would be nice, but I really don't have room for another gadget in my shop. So I use my drill press. Put a block of wood on the platform, and have a bolt with a scrap of wood glued onto the head that goes into the chuck to soften the other end.
its_virgil
Member
Something like this? These I take when I travel. They work great.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
Do a good turn daily!
Don
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rd_ab_penman
Member
This one I made for $1.00 has worked great for me for the past 10 years.
Les
Les
TwoCatsPens
Member
Mine are NOTHING like yours Don. I used a WHITE cutting board scrap, not a RED one. Everybody knows red is so last year. :biggrin:
Yea, mine would pass as cousins to yours. GMTA!!!
BTW Don, a lot of the stuff you wrote absolutely helped me when I was getting started out, and I'm sure still will continue to help me hone my skills
Steve
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BayouPenturner
Member
I have a pen press which does a good job, but I never thought about mounting it vertically. What a great idea. I purchased the arbor press and have not figured out how to manage it for all my needs. I use it for some jobs and it works well. It is not that costly if you have the 25% off coupon.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
tazhunter0
Member
I have the Milescraft press now but having a few issues with it. I have looked at the one that you remove or place the blocks in but afraid i would loose the blocks on my bench. Going to look at the Arbor Press set up.
Keep the suggestions coming.
Thanks
Keep the suggestions coming.
Thanks
New Bill
Member
I'm still a rookie (first lathe about 3 months ago) but I use my small lathe for drilling and assembly. I like the control of the wheel while pressing. Assembled about 70 pens so far this way. (70 pens in 3 months = addicted)
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Picture worth 1000 words.
Picture worth 1000 words.
Mike Powell
Member
Yup thats the same one I have... I like it.
ljpilcher@suddenlink
Member
Pen Press
I just purchased a set up from Craft Supplies USA for the lathe. I haven't used it for a pen yet but used it to assemble a seam ripper and it worked wonderfully. It is about $20.
I just purchased a set up from Craft Supplies USA for the lathe. I haven't used it for a pen yet but used it to assemble a seam ripper and it worked wonderfully. It is about $20.
knowltoh
Member
I've had several pen presses over the years
Operative word is "several". I have had two. The first from Woodcraft, and the second is the arbor press.
I agree, to each his own.
Operative word is "several". I have had two. The first from Woodcraft, and the second is the arbor press.
I agree, to each his own.knowltoh
Member
Operative word is "several". I have had two. The first from Woodcraft, and the second is the arbor press.
I agree, to each his own.[/quote]
Brian G
Member
I have it, but have only pressed a half-dozen pens with it, so my comments are sparse. Some of the review comments on Woodcraft's website mention the threads in the handle snapping off. That concerned me, but after a few presses, I think anyone that is having that problem has some serious issues with residual glue in their tubes.
I like the quick release for adjusting the length, and having the threads lets you sneak up on setting transmissions gradually. It's also helpful to make that last poofteenth you need to fully seat the part you're pressing in, without the tense moment worrying about that sickening cracking sound.
I'm pleased so far.
jsmithmarcus
Member
I use this one and I really like it! You can use it like a press or use the screw end to make minor adjustments to your pens.
tazhunter0
Member
That's what I was looking for. I have to press 25-30 pens a month for orders and the one I have seems to be bending some. Not sure what or why but it does not press straight all the time. Might have to get it after the first of the year and try it.
Chris
Cmiles1985
Member
I was at Northern Tool on Black Friday, and saw a nut cracker on sale for $8. It's functionality as a pen press is ok. All I have been making so far are slimline pens/pencils, and the nut cracker is long enough between ends to press the individual pieces. For the rest I use a bar clamp and two pieces of soft wood. I have not yet had problems with assembly (just still learning the art of sharpening and turning!).
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...Or5SDsbj3ktbx8W8w4xYSNIQ&ust=1388016162614208
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...Or5SDsbj3ktbx8W8w4xYSNIQ&ust=1388016162614208
kovalcik
Member
+1 for the Milescraft. I was using my drill press, but moved to the Dedicated press when I had to do a demo.
LeeR
Member
Here is a link to a commercially available pen press for your lathe. If I didn't own an arbor press I think I'd give this one a try.
Artisan Pen-Ultimate Assembly Tool | Pen Making | Craft Supplies USA
Artisan Pen-Ultimate Assembly Tool | Pen Making | Craft Supplies USA
JCochrun
Member
Les,
What type of material do you use? What size hole do you drill in the pieces of wood? Does it affect the tips of the pens at all? I made a press based off plans I found here on IAP but I'm having problems with the wood block getting indentations and throwing the alignment off. Now that I have a floor mounted drill press, I could dedicate my bench top drill press to being a pen press.
Jim
mikebpeters
Member
I just use a squeeze clamp. I get great control over the pieces to make sure that they go in straight, I already have them in the shop, and they are dirt cheap to replace.
Dan Masshardt
Member
I used one of these early on. What I don't like them for is pressing 7mm transmissions in. I find that sometimes the pressure would build up and then release - occasionally pushing it in farther than I wanted.
GaryT45
Member
I currently use the Milescraft pen press (bought it at Woodcraft), and I've probably used it to assemble 200 plus pens. I've noticed that when I put any pressure on it now, the portion that holds the rod that applies pressure bends, and the rod is now angled upwards, not at the sliding rod. My thought is that the toggle clamp has suffered metal fatigue, and now any pressure on it just causes the metal to bend. I'm probably going to replace the toggle clamp (and take it easier in the future).
I didn't see this posted, but...on the cheap...
I bought 18" of 1" black pipe and a flange. Screwed the flange to the bench, screwed the pipe into the flange, attached a Pony clamp with some cutting board sections glued to it. Hand crank on the clamp does just fine for finer work on slim transmissions and doubles as a great vertical clamp.
I bought 18" of 1" black pipe and a flange. Screwed the flange to the bench, screwed the pipe into the flange, attached a Pony clamp with some cutting board sections glued to it. Hand crank on the clamp does just fine for finer work on slim transmissions and doubles as a great vertical clamp.
tazhunter0
Member
That is what mine is doing. I have bent it back and wedge it but it still bends some. Just getting tired of fixing it every 3-4 pens.
PenMan1
Member
I've owned many pen presses over the years. Like Don, I'm NOT a fan of an arbor press. IMHO, if you have to rely on the pressure of a half ton arbor press, you are doing something wrong.
I do, sometimes use a Milescraft press, but most of the time, I use a Zyliss Swiss Vice. I don't think any shop should be without a precision vise, so my bench mounted Zyliss performs many duties.
It seems much more precise and controllable that the other methods I've used.
I do, sometimes use a Milescraft press, but most of the time, I use a Zyliss Swiss Vice. I don't think any shop should be without a precision vise, so my bench mounted Zyliss performs many duties.
It seems much more precise and controllable that the other methods I've used.
mightymavkev
Member
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CrimsonKeel
Member
I use the woodcraft one and love it. i was cracking many pens before it and haven't had on crack since i bought it. I only use the screw part of the knob so i can go slow and steady making sure everything lines up. IMO one of the best things i have bought for making pens that saved me alot of pain in breaking stuff on the last step