Rockytime
Member
There is lots of advice on turning using a caliper rather than relying on bushings. I'm beginning to learn that. A couple of my pens were not really a tight fit. A little slop over the nib or on the center band. I like the idea of using bushings because it quickly lets me know when I am getting close to the right diameter. Checking some bushings it is obvious they are not always the size that the kit components are even if purchased from the same mfg. I have one set of bushings that looked as if some beaver had chewed them out. Very sloppy machining, very rough. Also the two bushings were not the same size. They were as much as .003 off from each other. I think from now on I can rely on a caliper or turn my own bushings which I did for the worst offenders. It is too much hassle to send them in for a replacement and if I purchase them in town the dealer is a 25 minute ride if the traffic on the interstate is good. The time and fuel is not worth the effort. In no way am I blaming a vendor or supplier. It's just the way it is. I always tend to make a mistake in judgement when eyballing something. Whether it is machining metal or turning a pen. Haste makes waste. The bushings keep me from eyeballing.