polaris click pens ??

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

avbill

Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
1,973
Location
San Bruno, CA, USA.
In the Spring 2008 PSI catalog #83C the cover shows a click Polaris. Has any body had recent experience with this new pen. Does the mechanism hold up?

tanks,

Bill Daniels
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

Randy_

Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2004
Messages
5,701
Location
Dallas suburb, Texas, USA.
Originally posted by avbill

In the Spring 2008 PSI catalog #83C the cover shows a click Polaris. Has any body had recent experience with this new pen. Does the mechanism hold up?

That kit is brand new. come back and ask that question again in about 6 months or a year.
 

Wildman

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2008
Messages
1,390
Location
Jacksonville, NC, USA.
Ordered some Polaris T/N click pens, bushings, extra tubes and few blanks from PSI. While have no complaints with PSI and service with my order.

Do think they should offer actual size replacement tubes. Before making kits visited Harbor Freight store and bought a fractional digital caliper. Had a small tubing cutter from Lowes already.

Also they need to take a good look at those assembly instructions that come with Polaris click pens. They make assembling the pen harder that it should be. Have never figured out what step two in assembly instructions all about.

Instead of inserting and pressing the tip into the lower barrel 1st step.

Would insert the mechanism nut first, using the 18.5 mm brass sizing tube, 1st. Made a small insertion tool to help me insert the mechanism nut. Just a piece of scrap with a tenon, which the brass sizing tube slides over. Destroyed the first brass sizing tube on 1st pen. Would help if brass sizing tube was a little wider, also tube not strong enough to do the job correctly. Example of insertion tool, pictured in my album. Use a new brass sizing tube for each kit.

Think PSI should make an insertion tool out steel for installing mechanism nut and sell that as an option. Anyone with a metal turning lathe might think about making their own.

Not going to make any more of these kits. Think Berea & Craft Supplies have better click pens.
 
Last edited:

rmelton

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2007
Messages
61
Location
Natchez, Mississippi, USA.
step 2 in assembly instructions for the polaris click pen means that can you use the cap bushing for the gemini click pen instead of the short piece of brass that comes with the polaris kits, just place the 2 black serrated bands (in the kit) over the narrow end of the bushing to use as 4 mm spacing.
 

Wildman

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2008
Messages
1,390
Location
Jacksonville, NC, USA.
step 2. Using the longer bushing #PKGEMBU, place the 2 black serrated bands (in the kit) over the narrow end of the bushings to use as 4mm spacing (see Diagram E). I did not get that bushing nor is it illustrated in Diagram E Assembly.

Will call tech help tomorrow, and ask if they have different instructions or illustration showing how or why you need #PKGEMBU. The bushing set ordered for this kit is #PKPOLBU-6

If your talking about the Brass Sizing Tube, am following instructions. Putting those two black serrated bands on that tube not going to accomplish much. Once you install the mechanism nut you throw away that brass sizing tube and install the connector. If you press the mechanism nut beyond 18.5mm may have trouble screwing on the pen click mechanism. Not sure the pen will work.

Once you install the connector, you screw in the click mechanism, doesn't matter if you install refill, spring, and tip next or install, plunger spring screw on plunger & cap/clip assembly next. It's easier to screw on plunger before screwing on cap assembly. Steps in the instructions out of order.

JMHO, installing the mechanism nut 1st, before the tip nut much easier. Less chance of damaging the tip nut, trying to install mechanism nut.
 

Wildman

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2008
Messages
1,390
Location
Jacksonville, NC, USA.
If you research PSI Bushing #PKGEMBU, will find you need those for making Gemini pen kits. How they wound up in instructions for a Polaris click pen, has me stumped
 

rmelton

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2007
Messages
61
Location
Natchez, Mississippi, USA.
Wildman you don't need the #PKGEMBU cap bushing, you can just use the short brass without the two black serrated bands. The cap bushing just makes it easier to hold and line it up when pressing it in if you have the bushing.
 
Top Bottom