I've received quite a few PM's asking about the taps involved so decided to go ahead and make this a little more in-depth.
Don't just jump in and start turning a blank to size, there are several steps you need to take before starting on a section because certain things rely on other things so....
1. Decide whether you want a large or small pen. This generally dictates the use of a small #5 nib or a large #6 nib.
2. Once the size pen is decided and the right size nib, you need to select the nib you want to use. I use Heritance and Bock nibs and each require their own tap to cut threads in the inside of the section.
3. The sections require different size holes for the different feed housings so knowing the brand you want to use up front is important.
4. So, now you know the size pen, the size nib, and the brand of nib you want so now you can start drilling and tapping and having fun!
A few examples: If I am making a medium to small size pen where I use the 12mm multi-start threads, I like to use a #5 nib so liking the Heritance and Bock nibs that are available I have two choices of taps to use.
1. For the Heritance feed housing I will need a
6.4mm x .5mm tap to thread the inside of the section so the housing will screw in allowing me to slip the Heritance feed and nib on.
2. For the Bock feed housing I will need a
6.4mm x .6mm tap to thread the inside of the section so the housing will screw in allowing me to slip the Bock feed and nib on.
Please do not look at the .5mm and .6mm thread pitches and think one tap will do both, I've tried and ruined a few feed housings in the process. The threads are just close enough to cause a nasty cross thread mess!
There are four taps that I use for all of my sections depending on whether I am making a small pen or a large pen:
Heritance #5 -
6.4mm x .5mm - available at
http://www.indy-pen-dance.com/Nibs/
Heritance #6 -
8.4mm x .75mm - available at
http://www.indy-pen-dance.com/Nibs/
Bock #5 -
6.4mm x .6mm - available at
http://www.classicnib.com/feeds.html
Bock #6 -
7.9mm x .6mm - available at
http://www.classicnib.com/feeds.html
For cutting the exterior section threads where the section actually screws onto the pen body I use a 9mm x .75mm tap (available at
http://www.victornet.com/subdepartments/Metric-Taps/1310.html) for all the pens simply because I don't want to be switching around all the time. This size thread
WILL NOT fit the kit sections which use a 10mm x 1mm thread but I feel that using the smaller threads allows me more material between the inner and outer threads of the pen body thus eliminating a weak link.
I hope this makes sense and helps answer some questions.
