The PSI DuraClick pen kit was introduced about a year and a half ago. . It uses a Parker-style refill.
I would say that its major novel feature is that it employs the Schmidt SKM-88 all-metal click mechanism, a first for click pen kits. .
This click mech. is very quiet and very smooth in operation. It can be purchased separately from a couple of sources for making kitless click pens.
There was quite a bit of enthusiasm at the time PSI introduced this pen kit, and there still is, I think largely because of the click mechanism.
However, there were some reservations expressed with regard to the overall appearance of the completed kit pen.
I have made some modifications to the kit. . My objectives were to :
(1) reduce the lengths of the knurled sections,
(2) reduce the exposed length of the Schmidt click mech.,
(3) increase the length of the user-provided blank ( 3.85" up from 2.77" )
(4) allow the blank to be shaped (eg. bulged slightly) instead of being straight-sided as dictated by the original design.
I'll just present some pictures and leave it to you to tell me what you like and don't like.
Your comments are strongly encouraged and will be valued.
The modifications I made require some care, patience and accuracy.
I do all of my pen turning on a metal-working lathe (Sieg 7x14).
The modifications could probably also be done on a wood lathe but perhaps with more difficulty.
The first picture shows both a DuraClick in its an original form (top) as well as my modified DuraClick.
On the original I have used a vintage cellulose acetate blank for the barrel, which is straight-sided.
On the modified pen I have used a vintage Crushed Velvet blank, which is slightly bulged.
This next picture shows the modified pen with its refill retracted.
The third picture is another view of the modified pen with its refill extended.
You will notice that I have not yet put a clip on the modified pen. The clip provided with the pen kit is much too stiff in my opinion and I don't yet have an alternative.
When I do have a suitable clip, it can go at the top end where the black ring is presently positioned.
Also, I have retained the refill extender which is part of the original kit design. This extender is 0.5" long. It can easily be left out if the barrel is shortened by that much.
I actually prefer a pen without the refill extender (which can get lost) but I left it in for the sake of a closer comparison in the first picture.
You may also notice a slight bulge to the pen barrel. . I prefer this shape to a straight-sided barrel. This pen is 0.55" in diameter whereas the knurled metal part is 0.45" diam, which would be the size of a straight-sided implementation dictated by the original kit as in the top picture.
So there you have it. . Please let me know what you think about it. . Any suggestions for further modifications ?
I would say that its major novel feature is that it employs the Schmidt SKM-88 all-metal click mechanism, a first for click pen kits. .
This click mech. is very quiet and very smooth in operation. It can be purchased separately from a couple of sources for making kitless click pens.
There was quite a bit of enthusiasm at the time PSI introduced this pen kit, and there still is, I think largely because of the click mechanism.
However, there were some reservations expressed with regard to the overall appearance of the completed kit pen.
I have made some modifications to the kit. . My objectives were to :
(1) reduce the lengths of the knurled sections,
(2) reduce the exposed length of the Schmidt click mech.,
(3) increase the length of the user-provided blank ( 3.85" up from 2.77" )
(4) allow the blank to be shaped (eg. bulged slightly) instead of being straight-sided as dictated by the original design.
I'll just present some pictures and leave it to you to tell me what you like and don't like.
Your comments are strongly encouraged and will be valued.
The modifications I made require some care, patience and accuracy.
I do all of my pen turning on a metal-working lathe (Sieg 7x14).
The modifications could probably also be done on a wood lathe but perhaps with more difficulty.
The first picture shows both a DuraClick in its an original form (top) as well as my modified DuraClick.
On the original I have used a vintage cellulose acetate blank for the barrel, which is straight-sided.
On the modified pen I have used a vintage Crushed Velvet blank, which is slightly bulged.
This next picture shows the modified pen with its refill retracted.
The third picture is another view of the modified pen with its refill extended.
You will notice that I have not yet put a clip on the modified pen. The clip provided with the pen kit is much too stiff in my opinion and I don't yet have an alternative.
When I do have a suitable clip, it can go at the top end where the black ring is presently positioned.
Also, I have retained the refill extender which is part of the original kit design. This extender is 0.5" long. It can easily be left out if the barrel is shortened by that much.
I actually prefer a pen without the refill extender (which can get lost) but I left it in for the sake of a closer comparison in the first picture.
You may also notice a slight bulge to the pen barrel. . I prefer this shape to a straight-sided barrel. This pen is 0.55" in diameter whereas the knurled metal part is 0.45" diam, which would be the size of a straight-sided implementation dictated by the original kit as in the top picture.
So there you have it. . Please let me know what you think about it. . Any suggestions for further modifications ?
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