Gothica help

[bloodhound]

Hey guys and gals. So, this is the second time ive tried to make this Gothica pen from PSI. Heres the story.

First try.... I made a scalloped blank for the first time. Glued it up and turned it. While pressing the cap nut in. The segments came apart. So, i turned it off and started over. Remade the blank. tried to put it together. and when pressing the mechanism into the cap nut. The mechanism separated. I assume because i used the tube twice and maybe it was too short.

I called psi the sent out a new tube and mechanism.

Second try...Remade same blank with scallops. Sanded and polished. Pressed the cap nut in. And pressed the mechanism in. It left about a 32nd gap. Hmmm i press it again. Trying to get rid of the gap at the nib end. ANNNNND...The mechanism breaks again.

So, at a loss. I start reading instructions again. It shows on the instructions. That the barrel is supposed to be 3.310 inches long. I measure my blank. Its 3.275 inches. Now I cant use the end mill to square off the blank. So, i sanded the ends to square. THERE IS NO WAY i sanded off .030 off of the barrel. That is a lot of sanding.

And ideas? Has anyone else had issues with this pen? Ill try to post pics.

 

[bloodhound]

here it is.

 

[bloodhound]

oops here is other pic

 

[plantman]

Yes, I had the same problem !!!! Found after measuring tube that it was cut short. PSI sent me correct tube and a new blank. Jim S

 

[eliasbboy]

I am just coming in from the shop after having the same problem! I was pulling my hair out wondering what I'd done.

 

[bloodhound]

Well that sucks. But at least now I know it wasn't just me. Thanks for the replies guys. I'll call psi as soon as they open.

 

[vakmere]

PSI will have short tubes on some kits for one reason or another. I had a Longwood with tubes shorter than the instructions said. Having a micrometer handy is a big help. I had to compensate for the 1/8" total shortness when assembling the parts, had to cut the comfort grip down to the first rib because it was supposed to be 1", instead the tube was about 1/16" short also. It would be nice to have a trouble free turn and assembly but sometimes this is not the case.
My Knurl kits had tubes too long where the refill just stuck out of the tip. I squared off the tube and blanks shorter on the following Knurl kits after that so there was proper extension of the refill.

 

[bloodhound]

Yeah I have aset or three of calipers but until now I have never had any issues. Or I hadn't had enough pens under my belt to know something was wrong. But you can bet your sweet bippy from here out I will be checking my parts.