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magerman

Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2022
Messages
4
Location
Richmond, VA
I just started turning a few months ago. My adventure in pen making began this past weekend. I have a great deal to learn. For example, can a tube be measured to determine the size bushing required? And if so, how exactly? I have a ton of pen kits and a ton of bushings and have no idea how they match up. Thank you in advance. Looking forward to being a part of this group.
 
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Edgar

New Member Advocate
Staff member
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Messages
6,890
Location
Alvin, TX 77511
Welcome from Texas, Melanie.

You can't determine the proper bushing to use by measuring the tubes. You would have to measure the kit parts.

If your bushings are still in their original packages, the label should tell you what it is. If not, you will need to use a micrometer to measure them and try to match them up with your kits.

The Bushings & Tubes charts in our library or the Bushings and Tubes app can help you in this effort, but it might be somewhat tedious. Once you figure out what a bushing is, be sure to label it and put it in some kind of storage so they don't get mixed up again. I use a small plastic box for each set of bushings with a label on the lid and on the inside of the box.
 

sorcerertd

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2019
Messages
2,655
Location
North Carolina, USA
Welcome from NC!

I have a ton of pen kits and a ton of bushings
Wow, you really dove in with a bunch of stuff already, huh? Before you get too deep into the wallet, check out "I wish I had known". It's long, but there's a lot of experience there (and things I wish I had known)

The internal size of the bushings will fit multiple tubes, but the outer diameter is there to indicate what the diameter of the pen hardware is, so the barrel meets up with it evenly when they are assembled. That's why there are so many different types.
 

Todd in PA

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2021
Messages
644
Location
Port Matilda, PA
You'll need digital calipers to measure the bushings you have…AND to measure your barrels to check final dimensions. Not very expensive.


I have a pile of mismatched bushings that came unlabeled in a box from another turner. It's very time consuming to sort out, so when you get 'em matched up, label them and keep them organized.
 

howsitwork

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2016
Messages
2,299
Location
Thirsk
Welcome Melanie

As Todd says a pair of vernier calipers are your friend . I found film containers ( OK I'm old as my kids remind me often) really handy for keeping bushings in. Use a marker to write EXACT size on the outside of the container. I even put folded up kit instructions in the pot with the bushings so they are more difficult to lose.
 

magerman

Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2022
Messages
4
Location
Richmond, VA
Welcome from Texas, Melanie.

You can't determine the proper bushing to use by measuring the tubes. You would have to measure the kit parts.

If your bushings are still in their original packages, the label should tell you what it is. If not, you will need to use a micrometer to measure them and try to match them up with your kits.

The Bushings & Tubes charts in our library or the Bushings and Tubes app can help you in this effort, but it might be somewhat tedious. Once you figure out what a bushing is, be sure to label it and put it in some kind of storage so they don't get mixed up again. I use a small plastic box for each set of bushings with a label on the lid and on the inside of the box.

Welcome from Texas, Melanie.

You can't determine the proper bushing to use by measuring the tubes. You would have to measure the kit parts.

If your bushings are still in their original packages, the label should tell you what it is. If not, you will need to use a micrometer to measure them and try to match them up with your kits.

The Bushings & Tubes charts in our library or the Bushings and Tubes app can help you in this effort, but it might be somewhat tedious. Once you figure out what a bushing is, be sure to label it and put it in some kind of storage so they don't get mixed up again. I use a small plastic box for each set of bushings with a label on the lid and on the inside of the box.
I will definitely check out the resources you mentioned. Thanks so very much.
 

magerman

Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2022
Messages
4
Location
Richmond, VA
Welcome Melanie

As Todd says a pair of vernier calipers are your friend . I found film containers ( OK I'm old as my kids remind me often) really handy for keeping bushings in. Use a marker to write EXACT size on the outside of the container. I even put folded up kit instructions in the pot with the bushings so they are more difficult to lose.
I am using medicine bottles to store them. Just need to do that measuring now and get some labels on them. Thanks so much.
 

KMCloonan

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2017
Messages
1,459
Location
Round Lake, Illinois
Melanie,
Welcome from Northern Illinois. You've come to the right place to get help. There is not a more helpful group of people anywhere.
 

BULLWINKLE

Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2010
Messages
652
Location
Georgia
I just started turning a few months ago. My adventure in pen making began this past weekend. I have a great deal to learn. For example, can a tube be measured to determine the size bushing required? And if so, how exactly? I have a ton of pen kits and a ton of bushings and have no idea how they match up. Thank you in advance. Looking forward to being a part of this group.
This site has a app for.99 cents that shows you the diagrams and measurements for just about every pen. Use a digital caliper to measure the bushings. As someone else replied, it's best to store the bushings in their original packages to know which to use for which pen kit. If they get mismatched you have a lot of unnecessary work to figure out which bushings to use for a specific pen.
 

Wayne

IAP Library Manager
Staff member
Joined
Dec 14, 2006
Messages
851
Location
East Troy, Wisconsin, USA.
Hello and Welcome to our home. We have many ideas and Downloadable PDF tutorials for your review.

Here's an Introductory Document for Reference.


Complete List of Forums


Menu of all IAP Library Articles, References, Tips, Tutorials


Pen Kit Suppliers - World Wide


Which Pen Suppliers do you Purchase from? (Poll)


Have Fun!
 
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