Enterprise/Sierra Diverse problem

[qquake]

I just completed my first Woodcraft Enterprise pen (Berea Sierra Diverse) and have a problem. The finial won't twist. Not even a little bit. I printed out the Woodcraft instructions and followed them step by step. I'm thinking I may have pressed the finial in too tightly, but it has to be pressed in tight or the clip will rotate. Anybody else have this problem? Any way to safely disassemble it? I can't see how without damaging the twist mechanism.

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[jrista]

Can you manually twist the mechanism with the finial off? If so, is there a very slight paper-thin gap between the finial and the rest of the pen? If it is a super tight fit through and through, you probably won't be able to twist it.

 

[qquake]

I didn't try twisting the mechanism before I pressed the finial on the pen. There can't be a gap between the clip receiver (D) and the pen body, or the clip will be loose. I'm thinking I should have pressed this in first, then pressed the finial on, instead of pressing the finial in as an assembly. If I can figure out how to disassemble it, I can try it that way. But I fear disassembly may not be possible.

 

[jrista]

I didn't try twisting the mechanism before I pressed the finial on the pen. There can't be a gap between the clip receiver (D) and the pen body, or the clip will be loose. I'm thinking I should have pressed this in first, then pressed the finial on, instead of pressing the finial in as an assembly. If I can figure out how to disassemble it, I can try it that way. But I fear disassembly may not be possible.

Yeah, I was reading that earlier. It sounds like the clip (E) is supposed to fit snugly on the clip receiver (D)... All of that, according to the instructions, is supposed to be an assembly. (AB)/C is a non-friction fit over D/E (I assume (AB)/C, when pressed into I, is actually what you twist). Are you trying to twist ABC, or ABCDE? It sounds like only ABC actually twist. The DE part, if I'm reading it correctly, is in fact supposed to be snug and won't twist...

 

[jrista]

Any luck here?

 

[qquake]

I went ahead and tried disassembling it. When the finial was partially pushed out, I could twist it. But when I pressed it back together, same thing. It wouldn't twist. So I pushed it all the way out, but couldn't remove the twist mechanism from the finial. The next time my son is over, I'll see if he can pull it apart. He's a 6'3" brute. If he can't, I'll go to plan B. Which I haven't devised yet.

In the mean time, I got a response from the email I sent to Woodcraft. He didn't know what the problem is either, but he's sending me a new kit.

 

[jrista]

I am pretty sure with this one, you need to be careful about how deeply the twist mechanism is pushed in. As understand the design, it is the ABC parts that twist. Even though DE are part of the finial, from what I can tell that compresses into the top of the tube, and is fixed in nature. If the twist mechanism isn't situated just right, to leave a hairline gap between assembly ABC and DE, I suspect the parts could fit together tightly enough to make it impossible to twist. But the instructions state in the second bullet under "Assembly" that the ABC assembly is supposed to be loosely fitting into the DE assembly. Only logical conclusion I can come to is that only the ABC part twists, not the full finial which is comprised of parts A-E. If you can leave that twist mechanism sticking out just enough that when the ABC assembly is fully pushed onto it, there is just a hairline (or paper thin) gap, it should work...

You've piqued my interest in this pen kit, so I think I'm going to have to order one. I like the design, it is different enough from the standard sierra (or wall street II, if you go with woodcraft names), and its got more of an elegant, shiny look to it.

 

[jttheclockman]

That is alot of parts for a simple twist pen. Maybe why they are having a closeout sale.

 

[jrista]

That is alot of parts for a simple twist pen. Maybe why they are having a closeout sale.

Technically speaking, I don't think its that many more than a normal sierra. It is just that most of the time, the sierra-type pen kit finials come pre-assembled...

 

[magpens]

I will add my $0.02 about the kit.
I have made only one . . . I don't really like it because it is fairly top-heavy.
Also, the top of the clip is about 1" below the top end of the pen, and the actual "clipping point" is even much lower.
That gives the pen an awkward position in my shirt pocket . . . too much of the pen is above the top edge of the pocket.
Often it is inclined to twist the pocket downwards, almost to the point of falling out because the actual "clipping point" of the clip
is almost at the bottom of the actual barrel material.

I did not follow the instructions when I made this pen.
When I make a finial twist pen I am always very cautious to avoid the VERY problem that has been encountered by @qquake.
I actually reamed out the 13/32" brass tube a little bit in order to accept the D and E (clip) more easily . . then secured D,E with glue.

Having glued those parts, I then pushed the A, B, C assembly on by hand ( tight push ) after the main barrel assembly ( G, H, I ) .

So that's my story ! . I did not present it yesterday because I wanted others to have a go with telling theirs.

@qquake, I am glad to hear that Woodcraft is sending you a new kit . . . nice gesture on their part.

 

[qquake]

That is alot of parts for a simple twist pen. Maybe why they are having a closeout sale.

I had problems with their Cigarillo pens, which are also on clearance.

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[qquake]

I got it fixed. I wrapped a piece of wire around the finial to give it a gap when I pressed it back together. That let it twist. But for some odd reason, it only twists counterclockwise. At least it works now. On the next one, I'll press the clip receiver and twist mechanism in first, then press the finial on leaving a gap. And that roll of wire is at least 38 years old. I got it from the auto parts store I worked at in the early 80's.

 

[jttheclockman]

I see it is suppose to be a double twist thing. Could it be the twist part is upside down? Seems odd to twist counterclockwise to open. Let us know if you do others and find the same problems. Interesting. Hopefully this is not something you have to do with all of them. Would seem like a shortfall in the design of the kit. Nice recovery.

 

[magpens]

@qquake

So, Jim . . . . how did you do the disassembly ? . .

Did you enlist the help of your 6'3" son ? . . And if so, what did he do ?

 

[qquake]

@qquake

So, Jim . . . . how did you do the disassembly ? . .

Did you enlist the help of your 6'3" son ? . . And if so, what did he do ?

As it turns out, I didn't need my 6'3" son to pull the twist mechanism out. Reassembling it with the wire to create a gap was what did it.