Ebonite: Be careful

[aggromere]

Well after reading what the pipe maker that was kind enough to post how to finish ebonite, i tried my second ebonite pen tonite. Did a Jr. Gent single closed end. I don't have any photo's of it, it is still out in the garage.

The finish went great. I followed the instructions from the forums and got a very nice shiny finish. It was beautiful. (was is the operative word).

I press fit my pens on the lathe using some delrin fittings in the tail and head stock. The cap end assembled perfectly and I was excited.

When I was assembling the other end, the closed end collapsed on its' self. I guess without a tube in the last 3/8 inch was too weak for the pressure of assembly and it kinda reversed mushroomed. Too bad it wasn't perfectly symetrical, might have made an interesting pen.

So be careful when you assemble closed end ebonite pens. I have done a lot in acrylic in wood and never had that problem before and basicallly use the same technique for them all.

Tomorrow I am going to try and cut the bad end off and make it into a regular pen.

I just wanted to let peeps know and I would be curious if anyone else has had that problem and if they have what you do.

As always thanks.

 

[ed4copies]

Thanks for the warning!!!!

Maybe make a dowel that is JUST long enough, stick it in the pen for support, while pressing the parts in. Then, remove the dowel (Make sure the diameter is small enough to pass through the nib thread fitting.

 

[DCBluesman]

When making a closed barrel pen, drill only about 1/2" of the blank at the stated diameter (25/64") and use a partial tube (for the press fit only). Drill the rest of the way with a 7mm bit. Make sure to leave about 1/4" at the end undrilled. Between the end and the thicker sides, you should eliminate this problem.

 

[ed4copies]

Lou,

If you do that, the AS mandrel won't work, will it?

If not, do you just make a 7mm mandrel and use it for EVERYTHING??? It will be "sloppy" at the nib, but the rest of the hole will hold it steady? Or do you make your own custom mandrel?

 

[DCBluesman]

The open end of the barrel is sized and held steady with the appropriate bushing. I use Russ Fairfield's method of grinding an x on a mandrel and then pressing it into the closed end of the barrel for stability.

 

[ed4copies]

The open end of the barrel is sized and held steady with the appropriate bushing. I use Russ Fairfield's method of grinding an x on a mandrel and then pressing it into the closed end of the barrel for stability.

That'll work!!!

Thanks:biggrin::biggrin:

 

[aggromere]

I use a closed end mandrel from AS. I guess i could step drill the hole. Make the deepest part (for the spring) with a 7mm drill, or use the dowel. Thanks for the feed back.

 

[ed4copies]

Peter,

I really like that mandrel and have often used it. But, it appears that the brass tube is a necessity in that design (I always have used the tube, anyhow).

Lou's way will work to reinforce the rubber (which we know is more pliable than acrylic). Seems like a better idea.
And Lou makes a lot of closed end pens, so experience speaks volumes, to me.