Rookie Mistrake

[LL Woodworks]

OK - There is a first time for everything. Of all the pens I've made I never recall this happening. I made an Atrax Ball Point for the first time. After gluing in the lower tube and squaring it up it was about 3/64 (less than 1/16) inch short. I decided to continue and make the pen. Well the writing tip extends past the end of the nib less that 1/32 of an inch with the transmission completely re-tracked. Apparently not much "wiggle room" with the Atrax BP.

Any one know of any adjustments that can be made or is this an office desk pen?

Thanks for the help.

 

[lucky13]

sand lightly a little of the plastic end off of the ink refill, just enough so that the end of the refill retracts all the way into the end. And now you have a daily carry.

 

[NittanyLion]

I agree with Brandon.....I do this frequently to get it just right.....I'll also add a dab of CA on the refill sometimes.. If the blank blows up or I end up cutting it way to short like the pic above, most times I'll end up adding segmenting bands and insert part of a cut tube. I wouldn't sell these, but carry them or give them to my kids.

 

[brownsfn2]

It happens. Sometimes I get too aggressive with squaring the tube or when I use my carbide trimmer it cuts the brass so quickly it shortens the tube. I usually disassemble and retry with new tubes and blank. Someone has to buy up all those extra tubes out there right?

 

[PaulDoug]

I have never made one of these, so I may be off base here, but if the transmission is the type you press in, can you tap the transmission back a little using a center punch? I've done that before on one or two.

 

[Randy Simmons]

has anyone found a way to drill back into the twist mechanism a bit? sanding off the refill will work, until your customer tries to use a fresh refill :/

 

[LL Woodworks]

View attachment 97440

I have never made one of these, so I may be off base here, but if the transmission is the type you press in, can you tap the transmission back a little using a center punch? I've done that before on one or two.

I wish it were - it is one where the transmission screws onto a coupler that was pressed in.

 

[WHSKYrvr1]

If it is a parker type refil, you can pop off the end cap and cut the tube. Then put the cap back on. Assemble the pen and all is well.

 

[RichF]

Make a washer/spacer for the transmission to screw up against that provides the necessary clearance (sounds like 3/64). There should still be plenty of threads to hold the transmission tight.

 

[Dale Lynch]

Done that before.Just unscrew the transmission a bit while in extension position,add some blue loctite and screw it down to the point of acceptable nib protrusion.

 

[Dan Hintz]

If you go with the refill trimming, make sure you keep it as a personal pen... I'd hate for someone to install a new refill only to find it doesn't fit as well as the old.

Personally, I'd consider adding on a trim ring to the nib end, maybe 1/16" thick. Should still be plenty of nib in the tube to hold it, but that should keep the ballpoint within the nib.

 

[jimm1]

Been there. Done that.
Do you have a center punch kit. If so, get the small punch that will fit through the transmission and knock out the pen tip. Get a piece of scrap HARD wood and drill a hole that will just accommodate the transmission. Slip the unit into the hole. Use another center punch and tap to knock back the transmission to a better location.

 

[rherrell]

Take it apart and add an "oops" band to it!