Kitless question

[Cwalker935]

I have been experimenting with some kitless concepts and am having trouble with coming up with a design that would require only one standard sized blank. I am working with a bock nib from classic nibs and have been designing the pen to use a converter. I keep running out of blank real estate. Is it possible to use a converter and only use a standard sized blank or are you limited to using a cartridge if you want to use a standard blank?

I hope this question makes sense and is in the right forum.

Thanks,

Cody

 

[Carl Fisher]

Most of the time if you want an entire kitless pen out of one blank, you need to start with about a 9" or larger blank so you have room for work holding, parting loss, tenons for threading, etc...

From standard short blank (5-6") you're going to be very hard pressed to get a full pen out of that. You could probably do it with a stubby type pen with a short convertor or single cartridge, but you still may have to use something else for the grip section.

A few of the suppliers have started offering long blanks. Jonathon Brooks does a long blank and you can also find longer sizes from Classic Nib, Exotic, etc...

 

[Curly]

If you want the pen made from all the same material then a standard blank is too short. What you can do is make the section from another solid colour piece that compliments the pen barrel and cap. Black Ebonite is often used.

 

[Cwalker935]

Thanks Carl, I thought that I was missing something. I see postings of pens that seem to be from a single blank and could not see how that was possible.

 

[thewishman]

Sorry to say, but a one-blank kitless pen is really hard to do. Jonathan Brooks (I think) figured out how to do it a few years ago. I looked through about 15 pages of his posts and couldn't find it - there are more pages to search

 

[BRobbins629]

You can also use a short converter along with different material for section. Also possible to use a small piece of contrasting material for finial and blind cap.

 

[farmer]

blanks

I have been experimenting with some kitless concepts and am having trouble with coming up with a design that would require only one standard sized blank. I am working with a bock nib from classic nibs and have been designing the pen to use a converter. I keep running out of blank real estate. Is it possible to use a converter and only use a standard sized blank or are you limited to using a cartridge if you want to use a standard blank?

I hope this question makes sense and is in the right forum.

Thanks,

Cody

Sure just make your pen shorter.
Farmer

 

[SDB777]

I have been experimenting with some kitless concepts and am having trouble with coming up with a design that would require only one standard sized blank. I am working with a bock nib from classic nibs and have been designing the pen to use a converter. I keep running out of blank real estate. Is it possible to use a converter and only use a standard sized blank or are you limited to using a cartridge if you want to use a standard blank?

I hope this question makes sense and is in the right forum.

Thanks,

Cody

We have made a fewrolleyes longer Poly Resin pen blanks for folks. Most want something in the 8-1/2" length, I guess cause those fit nicely into a small flat rate?

When I rarely make a kitless, I use a solid black piece for the nib holder. Only then can I get everything I need from one 'standard' blank(5-1/4").


Scott (not as well known as some, but we try) B

 

[manojd]

All of my resin pens are made with one 5 1/4" blank. You have to use alternative material for the section, threading and end caps. Only the cap and barrel can be made with the blank material.

 

[Brooks803]

Sorry to say, but a one-blank kitless pen is really hard to do. Jonathan Brooks (I think) figured out how to do it a few years ago. I looked through about 15 pages of his posts and couldn't find it - there are more pages to search

It's a mini FP and had to use another material for the section but yeah this one was all from one 5" blank.




I also make my own 9" rods with alumilite to have that seamless look on full sized pens.