putting pens together

[stevebuk]

hi
i was just wondering what you guys put your pens together with, do you use a ready made machine, or have you built a home made one, i am really interested as i broke 2 today trying to press the parts in using my drill press.

 

[thewishman]

I used hand clamps (quick clamps) for the first year, then invested in a 1 ton arbor press. Wish I'd have bought it sooner!

Chris

 

[hughbie]

i've only used my drill press to put pens together. but then, i have a large bolt turned down and a scrap piece of wood glued to the flat head and that is what i press with.

 

[ed4copies]

The one ton arbor is a great answer, but you do have to remember that sheer muscle CAN BREAK the pen MUCH faster than other assembly methods.

Go slow and watch for "cocked" parts!!!

Yes, I assemble all pens with an arbor press. And yes, I have ruined my share by rushing!

 

[jhs494]

I made my own pen press. I looked at some of the off the shelf pen presses and came up with my own using a toggle clamp. There is a picture of it in my photo album. Works really well for me.

 

[Geo in Winnipeg]

I use my drill press. Be careful though a drill press can exert a lot of pressure.

 

[alamocdc]

I put my pens together with the parts that come in the bag.[}][] Sorry... it's my nature.

I started out using a ratcheting clamp from HF, but it soon quit applying enough pressure. I then built two oak blocks for my drill press and use that more often than not. I more recently built a special press using a plunger style woodworking clamp, but haven't gotten all the kinks worked out of it yet... just no time.

 

[JayDevin]

the ole 1 Ton arbor press is my tool of choice. a visit to your local harbor freight will fix ya right up!

 

[Rifleman1776]

Press but started with bench vise.

 

[TellicoTurning]

Arbor Press from HF

 

[MarkHix]

Both hands. I am not good enough to just use one hand. (sorry, could not resist)

Bench vise.
I seem to remember someone here using a can crusher. I don't remember who.

 

[stevers]

Drill press converted into a pen press. Works great and gives me all the control I need.

 

[Tea Clipper]

Drill press with wooden dowel chucked in.

 

[R2]

I have a Zylus vise that i use. They are expensive but since I have may other uses for it, it was aorth the purchase price.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Mainly use an arbor press, but also have some made with Destaco clamps. These are fixed length set-ups, for example to press in the transmission in slimlines.

 

[jeffj13]

Originally posted by hughbie

i've only used my drill press to put pens together. but then, i have a large bolt turned down and a scrap piece of wood glued to the flat head and that is what i press with.

I do the same as Hugh, except I glued a piece of hard rubber to the bolt head.

jeff

 

[PenWorks]

I used a hand clamp to begin with, (works good) then bought one of those pen presses (piece of junk) then an arbor press from HF (not bad) and now the only thing that touches my pens when going together is a PHDesigned pen vise (the best)

 

[Scott]

I use a 12" Bessey K-body clamp. It gives me great control, and is nicely portable.

Scott.