Scott
Member
This is an old question, with darn few new answers!
If a person were to make their own clip for a pen, what would be the best way to do this?
Clips are probably the most difficult part of a pen for us penmakers to make on our own, from scratch. They require a certain amount of flex, without being too flexible. Size and appearance are big issues, but the flex is the biggest obstacle.
I would like a clip made to look a certain way - you know, a particular design. This is a theme pen, and there are no clips out there that I can adapt over. This is one I'm going to have to make myself. Where to start?
What material is best? Casting the piece in silver has appeal, but I don't think that would hold up to any kind of flexing. So would steel be the best? Brass! And given that, would machining be the best option for acheiving the design I want in steel or brass? I have the feeling that most clips included with our kits are stamped. I don't think that will work with what I'm thinking.
I noticed on the emperor kits that the clip is a more solid straight piece, with a big decorative piece attached to it, and it appears the flex is all in the bend, at the top of the clip. I'm thinking that this is where the flex is in a lot of clips.
What are your ideas on clips, and how to make them?
Scott.
If a person were to make their own clip for a pen, what would be the best way to do this?
Clips are probably the most difficult part of a pen for us penmakers to make on our own, from scratch. They require a certain amount of flex, without being too flexible. Size and appearance are big issues, but the flex is the biggest obstacle.
I would like a clip made to look a certain way - you know, a particular design. This is a theme pen, and there are no clips out there that I can adapt over. This is one I'm going to have to make myself. Where to start?
What material is best? Casting the piece in silver has appeal, but I don't think that would hold up to any kind of flexing. So would steel be the best? Brass! And given that, would machining be the best option for acheiving the design I want in steel or brass? I have the feeling that most clips included with our kits are stamped. I don't think that will work with what I'm thinking.
I noticed on the emperor kits that the clip is a more solid straight piece, with a big decorative piece attached to it, and it appears the flex is all in the bend, at the top of the clip. I'm thinking that this is where the flex is in a lot of clips.
What are your ideas on clips, and how to make them?
Scott.