I made my first one of these tonight. When the mechanism is engaged, the refill sticks out much too far. I fiddled with it but couldn't get the refill to sit any further in the mechanism. Has anyone else had this problem, and how can I fix it?
Could you have trimmed the barrel too short?
I had just gotten a few of these kits to try but have yet to make one. But I just layed all parts up against the tube and they look fine. When you say engaged, does that mean closed or open. ??? The tube length is 2 -7/32" long so that is what you blank should be. Is it possible you over trimed the blank?? Or is the refill sitting all the way up in the cap. There is a bit of a lip that it can catch on. Also is the spring an extra long spring because that is what is suppose to be with them. Need more info and maybe a photo will help.
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Here is a link to the image of the pen next to the ruler. Because the barrel tapers from the middle, where it is widest, out to the ends it appears in this image to be longer than it actually is. But when looking at it the barrel itself is clearly just over 2.20 inches.
Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting
Here is a link to the image of the pen next to the ruler. Because the barrel tapers from the middle, where it is widest, out to the ends it appears in this image to be longer than it actually is. But when looking at it the barrel itself is clearly just over 2.20 inches.
The tube I have is 2.225" It maybe you trimmed too far. You may want to check the length of the refill also and that measure 3.87" Not much more can go wrong with the kit. You could always sand a bit off the top of the refill to make it work but it will not be a fix for the future. Especially to a customer. Look inside the end cap and make sure there is no slag from manufactoring left in there. That is all I got. Like I said i have not made any yet. Maybe the nib is suppose to stick out that far. Have not seen any in writing position
Will give you all the other parts measurements too.
spring---1.57"
nib end without the threads ----1.01"
pieces that screws into nib---.47"
Also noticed there is a screw in the cap end and it looks like it locks the gear **** arm in place. Maybe this is sticking down too far. Good luck and let us know what you find.
SUCCESS!
I managed to get a screwdriver inside the barrel and turn the screw at the base of the mechanism. Apparently it was loose. The pen is perfect now.
Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions.
Mark