NGLJ
Member
Sifting through my "debris" I came across a propelling pencil mechanism left over from making pencils from a kit. Since, I decided that it would be a different learning experience to turn it into a custom pencil. Unlike the past, I had nothing to start from, which meant that part of the learning was to figure out how to make it from scratch. For example, how to get the mechanism in and out, and what size thread(s) to use. The mechanism is 5.6 mm in diameter at its widest. The thread on the mechanism is m4.5 x 0.5.
Assuming that the section plus mechanism is inserted from the nib end, 5.6 mm is the determining dimension for the section to barrel thread. M7 x 0.75 might work with care, but I decided that M8 x 0.75 was a safer bet. Making the section was a bit of a challenge due to its small size. M8 x0.75 requires a 7.25 mm drill bit. I chose a letter L bit (7.37 mm). That takes care of the section end, and the cap end needed a 6 mm hole to accommodate the cap with a small gap around it (0.2 mm). The length of the barrel determined that it was necessary to drill from both ends. To get a clean concentric hole the pre-turned blank needs to be very close to perfectly round or the section plus mechanism won't easily slide in. The finished barrel is 10 mm in diameter. The black section and cap end are ebonite, and the barrel is Pearlux (Alumilite) from William Wood-Write.
Assuming that the section plus mechanism is inserted from the nib end, 5.6 mm is the determining dimension for the section to barrel thread. M7 x 0.75 might work with care, but I decided that M8 x 0.75 was a safer bet. Making the section was a bit of a challenge due to its small size. M8 x0.75 requires a 7.25 mm drill bit. I chose a letter L bit (7.37 mm). That takes care of the section end, and the cap end needed a 6 mm hole to accommodate the cap with a small gap around it (0.2 mm). The length of the barrel determined that it was necessary to drill from both ends. To get a clean concentric hole the pre-turned blank needs to be very close to perfectly round or the section plus mechanism won't easily slide in. The finished barrel is 10 mm in diameter. The black section and cap end are ebonite, and the barrel is Pearlux (Alumilite) from William Wood-Write.
