Closed End Rollerball?

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

JBCustomPens

Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2009
Messages
717
Location
Everett, Washington
Hey Guys and Gals,


Every closed end pen I've ever seen has been a FP. Now I'm wondering if there are no rollerballs because there is more interest in fountain pens or if there is a problem with making a closed end rollerball? Can it be done? Thanks for the answers.:)
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

skiprat

Passed Away Mar 22, 2022
In Memoriam
Joined
Oct 19, 2006
Messages
7,812
Location
In a Skip in Wales
Last edited:

mredburn

IAP Activities Manager
Staff member
Joined
Jul 5, 2009
Messages
8,753
Location
Fort Myers FL
Couldnt you use a small spring to keep pressure on the refill or does the spring not have enough strength.
 

skiprat

Passed Away Mar 22, 2022
In Memoriam
Joined
Oct 19, 2006
Messages
7,812
Location
In a Skip in Wales
Couldnt you use a small spring to keep pressure on the refill or does the spring not have enough strength.

Mike, I still use the spring, but just find it quicker and easier to make a spacer than to drill to the depth where the spring still does it's thing. The spring will always make it seat properly in the nib but it can be too 'soft' if the hole is too deep.
 

skiprat

Passed Away Mar 22, 2022
In Memoriam
Joined
Oct 19, 2006
Messages
7,812
Location
In a Skip in Wales
LOL, let's flood Gregg with links to our CE'ed pens and make him regret the post.:biggrin::biggrin:
 

wood-of-1kind

Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2005
Messages
4,116
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
I've made plenty of closed end ROLLERBALLS. Here's some pics, so it must have happened.:wink:
 

Attachments

  • P3310004.JPG
    P3310004.JPG
    79.3 KB · Views: 155
  • P3310006.JPG
    P3310006.JPG
    53.8 KB · Views: 163
  • P4140001.jpg
    P4140001.jpg
    16.5 KB · Views: 149
  • P4140003.JPG
    P4140003.JPG
    79.1 KB · Views: 159
Last edited:

Whaler

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2005
Messages
1,707
Location
Sequim, WA, USA.
I have done quite a few closed end rollerballs. Here is one that I posted a couple days ago and a couple from last year.
 

Attachments

  • Pen1.jpg
    Pen1.jpg
    50.9 KB · Views: 128
  • Pen2.jpg
    Pen2.jpg
    59.8 KB · Views: 132
  • Open.jpg
    Open.jpg
    49.8 KB · Views: 146
  • Pink1.jpg
    Pink1.jpg
    67.1 KB · Views: 147

ed4copies

Local Chapter Manager
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
24,529
Location
Racine, WI, USA.
Closed end postable would be dangerous in a RB.

NO material left, then spring tension against the end equals BREAKOUT!!!
 

skiprat

Passed Away Mar 22, 2022
In Memoriam
Joined
Oct 19, 2006
Messages
7,812
Location
In a Skip in Wales
Closed end postable would be dangerous in a RB.

NO material left, then spring tension against the end equals BREAKOUT!!!

Don't use a spring from a car suspension:biggrin:

I reckon if you use a longer tube to support the threads and the little bit after them, then it's do-able. Or have the body a bit longer and solid in that area. I'll have a go this weekend when I get home. :biggrin:
 

ed4copies

Local Chapter Manager
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
24,529
Location
Racine, WI, USA.
Don't use a spring from a car suspension:biggrin:

I reckon if you use a longer tube to support the threads and the little bit after them, then it's do-able. Or have the body a bit longer and solid in that area. I'll have a go this weekend when I get home. :biggrin:

Hey Skippy!!

Those of us who use all the kit parts (instead of substituting threaded stainless steel!!), have already seen the rollerball spring push the end out of a baron or jr. gent. So, I would be REAL reluctant to try it with plastic (maybe ok with cast acrylic, if you used a quarter inch hole and then made the top "post" - I'll watch, somebody else can do it!)
 

skiprat

Passed Away Mar 22, 2022
In Memoriam
Joined
Oct 19, 2006
Messages
7,812
Location
In a Skip in Wales
I prefer to make my CE rollers with no spring or plug. It is a little tougher, but i like it better. My least favorite request from customers... "Can I get a few of those little springs?"

Anyway, Just my two pennies...



Oh yeah, here is a CE roller I did recently..


http://www.penturners.org/photos/images/8062/1_two_blue_2.JPG

I think the spring makes it more comfortable to write with. It also helps with the slight difference in lengths of various brands.
Open the back end of the spring out before pushing it to the bottom of the hole and it won't get lost.:wink:
 

ed4copies

Local Chapter Manager
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
24,529
Location
Racine, WI, USA.
I prefer to make my CE rollers with no spring or plug. It is a little tougher, but i like it better. My least favorite request from customers... "Can I get a few of those little springs?"

Anyway, Just my two pennies...



Oh yeah, here is a CE roller I did recently..


http://www.penturners.org/photos/images/8062/1_two_blue_2.JPG

Ron, The spring DOES have a function. When writing with a rollerball, it is supposed to be "floating" to some degree. If you lock it in place, it will not write as smoothly.
 

skiprat

Passed Away Mar 22, 2022
In Memoriam
Joined
Oct 19, 2006
Messages
7,812
Location
In a Skip in Wales
Hey Skippy!!

Those of us who use all the kit parts (instead of substituting threaded stainless steel!!), have already seen the rollerball spring push the end out of a baron or jr. gent. So, I would be REAL reluctant to try it with plastic (maybe ok with cast acrylic, if you used a quarter inch hole and then made the top "post" - I'll watch, somebody else can do it!)

Gee, I hope I never ever feel like that....
.....so defeated that I'd sit back and watch while the young ones have all the fun...:frown:

You've made thousands of pens more than me, you'd think you might have conquered some of these little baby challenges for us by now..:confused::biggrin:
 

mbroberg

IAP Activities Manager, Emeritus
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
5,968
Location
Columbus, OH
My contribution to the closed-end parade:biggrin:
 

Attachments

  • closed1.jpg
    closed1.jpg
    16.1 KB · Views: 120
  • closed2.JPG
    closed2.JPG
    60.9 KB · Views: 136

ed4copies

Local Chapter Manager
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
24,529
Location
Racine, WI, USA.
Hey Rat!!

Remember, I SOLD those pens.

At 30 pence an hour, yours would still be GOLD!!!!
(And you deserve every farthing of it!!)

Different strokes.....................................
 

RAdams

Banned
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
2,983
You know, I never even considered the possibility of the refills being different lengths. I thought i was trying to be a better penmaker and was actually handicapping myself. That is why I love this site!

Thanks for the tip!
 

Brooks803

Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
5,632
Location
Aiken, South Carolina
My contribution to the closed end barage! I drill a 7mm hole into the end past the larger diameter hole and glue in a peice of brass to keep my spring in place as well the refill.
 

Attachments

  • 100_4444.jpg
    100_4444.jpg
    49.6 KB · Views: 123
  • 100_4441.jpg
    100_4441.jpg
    85.1 KB · Views: 126

gwilki

Member
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
971
Location
Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Here's mine. A closed end Baron with a hidden clip in corian.

I know the colour's not great, but the material was free!
 

Attachments

  • corian closed end baron 3.jpg
    corian closed end baron 3.jpg
    79.4 KB · Views: 126
Top Bottom