Not an arbor press fan…sorry guys! To each his own. I've had several pen presses over the years from purchased to homemade to drill presses to … well you get the idea. My current and FAVORITE is this one: Milescraft 4700 Turners Press for Joining Pens and Other Turned Projects of All Types - Amazon.com
Merry Christmas
Don
I use my lathe. I turned a couple of pieces of wood to fit the MT at the head and tailstock, attached a couple of small scraps from on old poly cutting board and just use that. Super convenient, very fine degree of control because you use the wheel to gradually ease the pieces together.
Steve
Mine are NOTHING like yours Don. I used a WHITE cutting board scrap, not a RED one. Everybody knows red is so last year. :biggrin:Something like this? These I take when I travel. They work great.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
Not an arbor press fan…sorry guys! To each his own. I've had several pen presses over the years from purchased to homemade to drill presses to … well you get the idea. My current and FAVORITE is this one: Milescraft 4700 Turners Press for Joining Pens and Other Turned Projects of All Types - Amazon.com
Merry Christmas
Don
Not an arbor press fan…sorry guys! To each his own. I've had several pen presses over the years from purchased to homemade to drill presses to … well you get the idea. My current and FAVORITE is this one: Milescraft 4700 Turners Press for Joining Pens and Other Turned Projects of All Types - Amazon.com
Merry Christmas
Don
Looking for a new pen press. Found one at Woodcraft the other day but trying to find out if anybody has used it.
Looking for a new pen press. Found one at Woodcraft the other day but trying to find out if anybody has used it.
I have it, but have only pressed a half-dozen pens with it, so my comments are sparse. Some of the review comments on Woodcraft's website mention the threads in the handle snapping off. That concerned me, but after a few presses, I think anyone that is having that problem has some serious issues with residual glue in their tubes.
I like the quick release for adjusting the length, and having the threads lets you sneak up on setting transmissions gradually. It's also helpful to make that last poofteenth you need to fully seat the part you're pressing in, without the tense moment worrying about that sickening cracking sound.
I'm pleased so far.
This one I made for $1.00 has worked great for me for the past 10 years.
Les
I just use a squeeze clamp. I get great control over the pieces to make sure that they go in straight, I already have them in the shop, and they are dirt cheap to replace.
I currently use the Milescraft pen press (bought it at Woodcraft), and I've probably used it to assemble 200 plus pens. I've noticed that when I put any pressure on it now, the portion that holds the rod that applies pressure bends, and the rod is now angled upwards, not at the sliding rod. My thought is that the toggle clamp has suffered metal fatigue, and now any pressure on it just causes the metal to bend. I'm probably going to replace the toggle clamp (and take it easier in the future).
Here is a link to a commercially available pen press for your lathe. If I didn't own an arbor press I think I'd give this one a try.
Artisan Pen-Ultimate Assembly Tool | Pen Making | Craft Supplies USA