Assembling a closed end pen

[jimmyz]

I just completed my first closed end pen. The closed end portion is a little fragile. Are there any trucks to assembling the closed end portion without damaging that portion of the pen? If the closed end is strong, just put it in the press as with a normal pen? Thanks for any advice.

 

[duncsuss]

When I'm using materials that might crack (such as vintage rods, or fragile materials like fordite) I expand the brass tubes so the components slide in with just a little pressure, and use glue to hold them in place.

Sometimes I expand the bass tube before gluing it into the blank, other times I glue it in and turn the part then use rolled up sand paper on a mandrel to increase the diameter inside the tube.

 

[randyrls]

Before gluing in the brass tube, take a close fitting transfer punch and insert it about 1/4" (6-8mm) into the end of the tube and twist the punch against the brass tube to expand it. Do this until the pen fitting is a slip fit in the end of the brass tube. When assembling, take loctite and put a dab on the inside of the tube and insert the pen fitting with a twisting motion. DO NOT put any glue on the fitting as it will gush out of the fitting onto the surface and ruin the fitting. DAMHIKT!

 

[jimmyz]

Thanks for the inputs.

I am using the Navigator/baron rollerball kit for my closed end pen. The parts at the bottom end of the kit are not needed. Can I get away with not using the spring?

 

[randyrls]

I do still use the spring. It does make the nib a bit more difficult as you need to drill for the tube, and then again for the smaller spring hole requiring a longer blank. I enlarge the last turn of the spring on the inserted end to make sure the spring will not come out of the tube.