Crack happens

[qquake]

This must have happened when I pressed the finial into the tube. The blank is an inlace, so is more brittle than some. It's not all that bad, but you can feel it with your finger. Shame, it was a nice looking blank. I'll redo it with an AA blank.

 

[magpens]

Too bad that happened .... I just hate it when that happens to me.

 

[MRDucks2]

Wonder how you press? I have the small arbor press from HF and it works well. I have noticed that it is easy to "press-through" a little misalignment between the part and the blank. Sometimes this resulted in no noticeable issue but I have seen crescent chips like your photo, delamination on printed label blanks and loose fits on other kits.

I now caution guests, because with even a noticeably misaligned cap, final or nib the 1 ton force of the press will still push into the hole, forcing it into line. Unfortunately it may damage other parts in the process.

 

[wolf creek knives]

Sorry Jim, that looked like a very nice pen.

 

[wolf creek knives]

Wonder how you press? I have the small arbor press from HF and it works well. I have noticed that it is easy to "press-through" a little misalignment between the part and the blank. Sometimes this resulted in no noticeable issue but I have seen crescent chips like your photo, delamination on printed label blanks and loose fits on other kits.

I now caution guests, because with even a noticeably misaligned cap, final or nib the 1 ton force of the press will still push into the hole, forcing it into line. Unfortunately it may damage other parts in the process.

Is this the 1 ton press you have?

CENTRAL MACHINERY
1 Ton Arbor Press

(305)Write a Review
Hand-operated arbor press for smaller production and assembly jobs
$58.99

 

[MRDucks2]

Is this the 1 ton press you have?

Yes, sir. Love using it.

 

[wolf creek knives]

Yes, sir. Love using it.

Might have to look into it. I hate my current press.

 

[MRDucks2]

Might have to look into it. I hate my current press.

I see where some folks have commented about not being able to press longer pieces vertically, but I remove the plate and get another 1-1/2". Never had and issues.

 

[qquake]

Wonder how you press? I have the small arbor press from HF and it works well. I have noticed that it is easy to "press-through" a little misalignment between the part and the blank. Sometimes this resulted in no noticeable issue but I have seen crescent chips like your photo, delamination on printed label blanks and loose fits on other kits.

I now caution guests, because with even a noticeably misaligned cap, final or nib the 1 ton force of the press will still push into the hole, forcing it into line. Unfortunately it may damage other parts in the process.

I use my drill press as an arbor press. Been doing it that way for 20 years. Very rarely have a problem.