ograywolf
Member
Anybody else having problems with the new Jr Gent II kits? First, the drills they sell with the kit don't match the drill sizes in the instructions. They spec a 12.5 MM. The right one is 1/2" Found that out after I drilled six blanks with the 12.5mm. (I know, I know....read the directions FIRST) Anyway..check the other bit too. I don't think it's the right one either, but don't feel like going out to a cold shop to check it. So anyway, watch for that before you drill.
Then I mic'd the bushings against the pen kit parts...a long ways off on those bushings guys...use your digital calipers on this kit before you turn/sand to the bushings! Good practice anyway, but the first time I REALLY needed to after about 200 pens.
Also, first six I turned came out oval-shaped on their ends at the center of the mandrel. Had to sand them back to round to get a decent fit...ruined the bushings in the process. So I bought a new mandrel and bushings. Same problem on the first pen. Also ran into that with the Gents. These are the heaviest pens I have done so far on the 7mm mandrel. No problems with Berea large pens on the thicker mandrel, so I know it's not the lathe or me. It's either too skinny a mandrel, or poor quality control on the bushings themselves (which seems likely). (And no, I don't over-tighten the nut or the tail stock).
Also, lost sales at a craft show this weekend because the Jr. Gent II threads (still) don't work very well. Turns folks off when you have to fiddle 15 seconds to post or cap a pen. Supposedly the Gent II was going to fix that. Looks like they didn't get there. Now, I'm afraid to try the Statesman, since they look to be the same pen.
Darn shame...I love the pens. Nice style, good components, good pricing,
easy to build...
Comments? Suggestions?
Buckeye Burl
Thanks,
Dave
Then I mic'd the bushings against the pen kit parts...a long ways off on those bushings guys...use your digital calipers on this kit before you turn/sand to the bushings! Good practice anyway, but the first time I REALLY needed to after about 200 pens.
Also, first six I turned came out oval-shaped on their ends at the center of the mandrel. Had to sand them back to round to get a decent fit...ruined the bushings in the process. So I bought a new mandrel and bushings. Same problem on the first pen. Also ran into that with the Gents. These are the heaviest pens I have done so far on the 7mm mandrel. No problems with Berea large pens on the thicker mandrel, so I know it's not the lathe or me. It's either too skinny a mandrel, or poor quality control on the bushings themselves (which seems likely). (And no, I don't over-tighten the nut or the tail stock).
Also, lost sales at a craft show this weekend because the Jr. Gent II threads (still) don't work very well. Turns folks off when you have to fiddle 15 seconds to post or cap a pen. Supposedly the Gent II was going to fix that. Looks like they didn't get there. Now, I'm afraid to try the Statesman, since they look to be the same pen.
Darn shame...I love the pens. Nice style, good components, good pricing,
easy to build...
Comments? Suggestions?
Buckeye Burl
Thanks,
Dave