Do You Have A Pen Press?

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crokett

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Mebane, North Carolina
I have been using my bench vise to assemble pens. The problem is that it has just enough travel to fit a longer pen like the nib end of Euro, and it doesn't leave any room for plastic or such to cover the jaws. Tape works, sort of. I am thinking about getting a press. Are they any faster than a vise?
 
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I'm getting ready to turn a couple of MT2 inserts for the head and tail stock to use as a pen press. Lots of power and control using the tail stock to press the parts together ... AND nothing to buy.
 
I use a pen press as I feel that it gives you the best control over the force being used. With the drill press, lathe, clamps etc you can't feel when you hit resistance that may crack the blank if you keep pressing. I have had this one for about 9 years and it's still going strong.

 
I use a pen press too for the control of force aspect. The wall mounted version shown above is a great idea. I will try that. I took the fabric chair leg bottoms with peel offs (small) and apply them to the ram. This protects the ram from marring the metal finish on pen parts.
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Everyday I'm vertical is a great day
 
I used my drill press for years. Recently had to do a couple demos, so I bought a press. (I think it is a Milescraft.) I find the press gives me better control for zeroing in 7mm transmissions. For normal assembly operations though (finial, nib, center bands), they both work about the same. The portability is the big selling point for me. I have also used clamps and vises. They work okay but I had problems keeping everything together and straight.
 
walshjp17 said:
I'm getting ready to turn a couple of MT2 inserts for the head and tail stock to use as a pen press. Lots of power and control using the tail stock to press the parts together ... AND nothing to buy.
Click to expand...
good idea...but...then you'll have to remove whatever you have on the spindle and in the tailstock every time you need to press something.

then maybe knock out your inserts and put them back on.

frugal, yes

time-efficient...no.
 
crokett said:
I have been using my bench vise to assemble pens. The problem is that it has just enough travel to fit a longer pen like the nib end of Euro, and it doesn't leave any room for plastic or such to cover the jaws. Tape works, sort of. I am thinking about getting a press. Are they any faster than a vise?
Click to expand...


A one ton arbor press from HF.
 
Same for me

Whaler said:
I use a pen press as I feel that it gives you the best control over the force being used. With the drill press, lathe, clamps etc you can't feel when you hit resistance that may crack the blank if you keep pressing. I have had this one for about 9 years and it's still going strong.

Click to expand...

I have been using this same style for about 13 years now works wonderful. Also got a setup for my lathe a few years ago and have never used it.
 
walshjp17 said:
I'm getting ready to turn a couple of MT2 inserts for the head and tail stock to use as a pen press. Lots of power and control using the tail stock to press the parts together ... AND nothing to buy.
Click to expand...

Been doing it this way for years, best control ever.

Lin
 
Like John, I made a couple of maple inserts for the lathe and covered the ends with leather. About a 1/2" tenon on a 3/4 piece of round stock. One fits in the headstock chuck and the other in a jacobs chuck in the tail stock.
 
I use a small bench top drill press... 2 modifications.

1 - I have a 1/4" bolt chucked into the press, and a piece of Corian glued to the bolt head... So the part that presses is smooth and flat.
2 - I have a "Stairstep" of 3 pieces of 3/4" MDF glued together... So there is a step 3/4 " up from drill table, 1 1/2" and 2 1/4 ". This way I use the top step when pushing in tips or finials, bottom for transmissions... No need to change height of press, and the steps are smooth and flat.

Works great.
 
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Here's a look at mine!

Pen press (Small).jpg
Clik on the pic to make it larger!
 
Whaler said:
I use a pen press as I feel that it gives you the best control over the force being used. With the drill press, lathe, clamps etc you can't feel when you hit resistance that may crack the blank if you keep pressing. I have had this one for about 9 years and it's still going strong.
Click to expand...

I like your wall mount idea, I've got to give that a try. I bet it helps keep the parts more easily aligned, letting gravity help.

Happy turning
Tom
 
I have used several different systems but I like the bench vise best of all. mine is a smaller vise but the jaws open 6" and I glued a piece of 3/8" rubber on each jaw and it works great. I like the control of the screw mechanism you have with it.
 
Do You Have A Pen Press?

I tried the hand squeeze type clamp, drill press and HF 1Ton Arbor then decided to make me a screw type press for better control of pressing. I have been real pleased with that.

Ray
 
I've got a quick release woodworking vise from Rockler, with scrap oak added to the jaws. It works great for all of my assembly needs.
 
Be creative with the clamps you can buy. Go to Mcmaster.com and search under clamps or toggle clamps. You can for sure make something for under $20.
 
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