Spats139
Member
Put one of the Timberbits kits together last night, using a blank I got from Jthompson1995 in last years Super Bowl Pool - thanks Jason. Unfortunately, it was the first wood/acrylic blank I'd done, and I didn't think that I would need to paint the blank - wrong! - but that's a story for another day.
Comparing the kits. A Timberbits Gold Ti / Rhodium RB and the Berea Ti Gold / Sterling RB. This will be a little bit of "apples and oranges" since the kits aren't identical platings, but some of the differences are worth noting.
The Timberbits kit "felt" like its components were more solid. That started from the fact that they were packaged in a larger, heavier bag. (I know, nothing to do with what's inside; but that was my impression.) As it turns out, the Timberbits components are actually heavier; totaling 57gm vs the Berea's 49gm.
The Berea bag seems to contain many more parts (there is one) but the difference is that some of the Timberbits pieces are already assembled.
Finial, clip, clip ring, and clip bushing are separate pieces in the Berea kit, and it is a one piece assembly in the Timberbits. Also, I noted that the clip bushing wall thickness in the Timberbits kit is thicker - .039" vs .035". The entire assembly is also heavier than the Berea - 19gm vs 15gm.
Center bands are similar; again the Timberbits is heavier - 4gm vs 3gm.
Receiver, receiver holder, and spring were pre-assembled in the Timberbits bag; and were heavier - 15gm vs 13 gm. The Timberbits receiver and holder appear to be one piece, and the spring was already in place.
Nib components for both kits weighed in the same at 11gm. My Berea kit came with a second nib holder; I think it was as a result of some complaints about the black one.
Another difference between the kits is in the tubes. The wall thickness of the Timberbits tubes is about 2 thousandths more than the Berea. This results in the tubes weighing an extra gram as well. The other impact of that difference is that my barrel trimmer for the Cambridge cap would not fit into the Timberbits cap tube. However, the trimmer for the barrel tube did fit in both kits. I didn't actually try this, but I'm going to assume that my Berea bushings wouldn't fit the Timberbits cap tube.
So here's the pen put together. Like I said, I wish that I had properly prepared the blank, but that will be the subject of another thread. Also, I agree that the black band has got to go.
Anyway, that's my comparison. Nothing scientific; just my thoughts. Overall I really like the looks and weight of the Timberbits kit, and at the price they were offered at, they have my vote as best value; I'll have to see if the other 5 blanks I'm preparing will do these kits more justice.
At the same time, there's nothing wrong with the Berea kit either. I do think that both kits are fun to make, and depending on what blank you use, either one may be a better choice than the other for any given pen.
Hope you found this interesting.
Comparing the kits. A Timberbits Gold Ti / Rhodium RB and the Berea Ti Gold / Sterling RB. This will be a little bit of "apples and oranges" since the kits aren't identical platings, but some of the differences are worth noting.
The Timberbits kit "felt" like its components were more solid. That started from the fact that they were packaged in a larger, heavier bag. (I know, nothing to do with what's inside; but that was my impression.) As it turns out, the Timberbits components are actually heavier; totaling 57gm vs the Berea's 49gm.
The Berea bag seems to contain many more parts (there is one) but the difference is that some of the Timberbits pieces are already assembled.
Finial, clip, clip ring, and clip bushing are separate pieces in the Berea kit, and it is a one piece assembly in the Timberbits. Also, I noted that the clip bushing wall thickness in the Timberbits kit is thicker - .039" vs .035". The entire assembly is also heavier than the Berea - 19gm vs 15gm.
Center bands are similar; again the Timberbits is heavier - 4gm vs 3gm.
Receiver, receiver holder, and spring were pre-assembled in the Timberbits bag; and were heavier - 15gm vs 13 gm. The Timberbits receiver and holder appear to be one piece, and the spring was already in place.
Nib components for both kits weighed in the same at 11gm. My Berea kit came with a second nib holder; I think it was as a result of some complaints about the black one.
Another difference between the kits is in the tubes. The wall thickness of the Timberbits tubes is about 2 thousandths more than the Berea. This results in the tubes weighing an extra gram as well. The other impact of that difference is that my barrel trimmer for the Cambridge cap would not fit into the Timberbits cap tube. However, the trimmer for the barrel tube did fit in both kits. I didn't actually try this, but I'm going to assume that my Berea bushings wouldn't fit the Timberbits cap tube.
So here's the pen put together. Like I said, I wish that I had properly prepared the blank, but that will be the subject of another thread. Also, I agree that the black band has got to go.
Anyway, that's my comparison. Nothing scientific; just my thoughts. Overall I really like the looks and weight of the Timberbits kit, and at the price they were offered at, they have my vote as best value; I'll have to see if the other 5 blanks I'm preparing will do these kits more justice.
At the same time, there's nothing wrong with the Berea kit either. I do think that both kits are fun to make, and depending on what blank you use, either one may be a better choice than the other for any given pen.
Hope you found this interesting.
If I do get a chance and no one beats me to it I will try to measure both hybrids because that is what I use. But could be awhile before I do anything. Have another storm coming tonight and I can't use my right arm.