Hey all,
So, I've now successfully created a dozen or so pens of my own style, that do not come from kits... I have a metal lathe, a mill, and some other various shop tools and fixtures at my disposal.
I've been curious how difficult it would be to make my own pen clip. From what I can tell, there seem to be 2 different routes that can be taken; both of which will require me to contract a vendor in order to manufacture small quantities of my design.
1) I can have the clips stamped
2) I can have the clips cast (investment casting most likely)
At this point I'm leaning more towards investment casting... It seems that this will be the better route for having small batches of 25-100 clips made at a time, and there is a little bit more flexibility in both the design of the part itself, and the materials that can be used. The only major drawback I can see at the moment is that a 25 piece die will run me about $1,000.00 or so as an initial investment (price includes the first batch of clips cast from argentium non-tarnishing silver).
BEFORE I SPEND THAT MUCH $$$, I was wondering if any of you have any experience in manufacturing custom clips, and if there is a better (or different) way that I have not yet explored as a viable option.
Since my clip design has yet to be %100 perfected, I am still open to different techniques, even if this requires moderate changes in order for the technique or process to be successful.
I am also open to the idea of learning to cast parts myself, as this would greatly expand my capabilities. However, it seems like the initial tooling setup for casting supplies / grains, etc. will run as much or more than the die for my clips.
Any thoughts, comments or suggestions?
So, I've now successfully created a dozen or so pens of my own style, that do not come from kits... I have a metal lathe, a mill, and some other various shop tools and fixtures at my disposal.
I've been curious how difficult it would be to make my own pen clip. From what I can tell, there seem to be 2 different routes that can be taken; both of which will require me to contract a vendor in order to manufacture small quantities of my design.
1) I can have the clips stamped
2) I can have the clips cast (investment casting most likely)
At this point I'm leaning more towards investment casting... It seems that this will be the better route for having small batches of 25-100 clips made at a time, and there is a little bit more flexibility in both the design of the part itself, and the materials that can be used. The only major drawback I can see at the moment is that a 25 piece die will run me about $1,000.00 or so as an initial investment (price includes the first batch of clips cast from argentium non-tarnishing silver).
BEFORE I SPEND THAT MUCH $$$, I was wondering if any of you have any experience in manufacturing custom clips, and if there is a better (or different) way that I have not yet explored as a viable option.
Since my clip design has yet to be %100 perfected, I am still open to different techniques, even if this requires moderate changes in order for the technique or process to be successful.
I am also open to the idea of learning to cast parts myself, as this would greatly expand my capabilities. However, it seems like the initial tooling setup for casting supplies / grains, etc. will run as much or more than the die for my clips.
Any thoughts, comments or suggestions?