Epoxy in tubes

[EricRN]

Hi all, I am trying out some kits that have threads on the inside of the brass tube for fitting the components, rather than the press-fit found in many pen kits. I'm pretty excited about it. Seems like a much better way of doing things. However, because the tube is threaded, it's important to make sure that epoxy does not harden on the inside of the tube. I always get some epoxy in there when I push the brass tube into the blank, and normally just clean it out after it's hardened with a reamer and diamond file. That won't work here, of course. It'll ruin the threads.

So, how do folks keep epoxy out of the tube? I was simply going to stuff some wax in there before sliding the tub in, and then once the tube's in place, remove the wax with a paperclip or something before the epoxy has had a chance to dry.

But I was curious if anyone had tips or a better way of doing this.

 

[Drewby108]

If you have those baybel cheese snacks, the wax coating works great for gluing tubes. Just press the tube through the wax and it stays til you push it out.

 

[monophoto]

Traditional solutions involve using dental wax, children's modeling clay, or a potato to plug the end of the tube when inserting it in the blank. After the glue has cured, the plug can be easily removed.

 

[KenB259]

Everytime I epoxy in a tube, I clean the inside of the tube with a Q-tip soaked in DNA, before it even thinks about hardening.

 

[EricRN]

Everytime I epoxy in a tube, I clean the inside of the tube with a Q-tip soaked in DNA, before it even thinks about hardening.

I did not realize DNA would clean uncured epoxy. Good tip.

 

[its_virgil]

Dental base plat wax for me.

 

[its_virgil]

delete me please...we should be able to delete our own. Something has to be typed here so....DELETE this post

 

[wouldentu2?]

Play-Doh

 

[jttheclockman]

Playdough here also. What kits are you referring to that are threaded? Also that means the tubes are thicker to accommodate the threads.

 

[howsitwork]

I use blutac , a sort of poster putty and remove after epoxy sets but I can confirm white spirit or cellulose thinners removes unset epoxy quite well. perhaps if you run some thin oil into the threads before epoxying tube in it should keep threads clear?
not tried it though.

 

[gbpens]

Considering you have threads to contend with I would use material to produce a "plug". The DNA is a great idea. You might also try wax using a thin candle or a lubricant applied with a Q-tip.

 

[showcaser]

20PCS Dental Base Plate Wax - Molding Casting Wax Sheet Denture Material Red Utility Wax Sheets Lab Dentist Auxiliary Material on amazon

 

[leehljp]

And the inexpensive plumbers putty does well also.

 

[wimkluck]

I use beeswax sheets . But a potato is also possible.

 

[Morgan woodturner]

Hi all, I am trying out some kits that have threads on the inside of the brass tube for fitting the components, rather than the press-fit found in many pen kits. I'm pretty excited about it. Seems like a much better way of doing things. However, because the tube is threaded, it's important to make sure that epoxy does not harden on the inside of the tube. I always get some epoxy in there when I push the brass tube into the blank, and normally just clean it out after it's hardened with a reamer and diamond file. That won't work here, of course. It'll ruin the threads.

So, how do folks keep epoxy out of the tube? I was simply going to stuff some wax in there before sliding the tub in, and then once the tube's in place, remove the wax with a paperclip or something before the epoxy has had a chance to dry.

But I was curious if anyone had tips or a better way of doing this.

Hi I use potato too plug the end of the brass tube, it's easy to remove and works well in keeping the inside of the tube clean

 

[montmill]

Even though I used dental wax I still got a little inside the tube ends. After watching some videos on glue ups I realized I was sloppy with the epoxy. Once I took my time and changed how I was inserting the brass by removing excess epoxy as I went along the problem was resolved. I still use dental wax and clean the inside of the tubes with a Q-tip and if necessary use alcohol to be sure. I do this even after the final sanding of the tubes to remove any Glu-boost that may have gone over the edges. Sometimes that will get inside the tubes too.

 

[EricRN]

Playdough here also. What kits are you referring to that are threaded? Also that means the tubes are thicker to accommodate the threads.

It's the Berlin kit from some German company. Can't remember the name. It's a nice kit. Uses the skm clicker. I'll post some pictures when I'm done. First time trying this one.

 

[EricRN]

It's the Berlin kit from some German company. Can't remember the name. It's a nice kit. Uses the skm clicker. I'll post some pictures when I'm done. First time trying this one.

Found it. It's Liebensteiner: https://www.liebensteiner-shop.de/schreibgeraete/berlin-kugelschreiber/

 

[thewishman]

Love that kit!

 

[EricRN]

Love that kit!

I'm pretty excited to try it out. Given how much pen kits at the US shops seem to have risen in price (I was shocked to find out the blade was selling for nearly $20!!), this was actually cheaper than some of the SKM based click kits even accounting for international shipping. Helps that we don't have to pay VAT.

 

[Paul-H]

Playdough, plasticine, bluetack, whitetail, Rodico (Swiss greentack) (I mend watches so have loads of that stuff.). Or a Wax of some sort.

Quite new to pen turning so doing a lot of research on the university of YouTube so seen lots of different options being used.

 

[wimkluck]

Found it. It's Liebensteiner: https://www.liebensteiner-shop.de/schreibgeraete/berlin-kugelschreiber/

I work a lot with this kit. I have a needle to remove the ca or epoxy if i make a mistake. Last time it took half a hour to remove the superglue. Accident with the bottle. Yes stupid. I know. There is also a model of the berlin without a tube. I don't know what will happen if the pen hit the ground.

 

[EricRN]

Thanks for the tip on the dental base. 10 very clean tubes all glued up.

 

[Stephen]

I read somewhere hand sanitisers remove epoxy. I tried and it does remove from inside of tubes and my fingers too!

 

[Stephen]

I read somewhere hand sanitisers remove epoxy. I tried and it does remove from inside of tubes and my fingers too!

I have also used it to release pen components glued with epoxy. Fill the tube with the sanitisers for about half an hour and punch it out.

 

[VernLeonard]

Dental base plat wax for me.

This works great!

 

[RoxnDox]

This works great!

I have started using the wax coating on my Babybel cheese rounds.

 

[qquake]

I use Softee-Dough.

 

[Woodchipper]

Pulled this up as I was wanting to keep the inside of the tubes clean. I thought of melting a candle on wax paper and using the wax layer in the tube.