Euro Style Center Band Help

[Legato_J]

I'm seeking guidance on the proper way to assemble Woodcraft pen kit 14562, which is a European style twist pen; specifically concerning the center band. I have no experience with this style and the assembly instructions only show a solid center band, whereas this kit's band is in three pieces. I sent the following questions to Woodcraft's support team and awaiting their response.

Decided that it wouldn't hurt to also reach out to the community for inputs - happy new year

• Do the loose rings go between the center band and the cap, or between the center band and the body?
• Does the order of the loose rings matter?
• Are the loose rings glued/fixed to the cap or body separately from the center band?

Since my order for the 06S62 bushing set for this kit is back ordered, I used a bushing set for Rockler.com's "Summit Pen Hardware Kit – Black Titanium" (item #46345) for the attached images:

• Image 1: Full mandrel with loose rings between the center band and cap
• Image 2: Close-up with loose rings between center band and body
• Image 3: Close-up with loose rings between center band and cap

 

[its_virgil]

How about a picture of just the CB parts. You mentioned 3 but your pictures have 4.

 

[Legato_J]

How about a picture of just the CB parts. You mentioned 3 but your pictures have 4.

This is the center band without the bushing. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[its_virgil]

Thank you. I would put the smaller (width) ring on first then the larger. The rings go against the end of the cap.

The CB will either (1) glue to a tenon so you will need to measure for the tenon length and diameter. The CB will attach with a small amount of glue. Or (2) remove wood from the cap end exposing the tube. The CB will then press onto the tube. Again, measure for the amount of tube to expose.

Good luck.

 

[DocTich]

I have a related question: I have three of these kits and just finished the first. The instructions say to make a tenon for the band, 13/32 diameter by 3/16 long and glue on the band with CA. Any tips on avoiding glue squeeze out? It sure makes an otherwise nice looking pen kind of ugly.
Link to instructions: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...e_20Pen_20Kit_20Instructions.pdf?v=1705402908

 

[DocTich]

I'm seeking guidance on the proper way to assemble Woodcraft pen kit 14562, which is a European style twist pen; specifically concerning the center band. I have no experience with this style and the assembly instructions only show a solid center band, whereas this kit's band is in three pieces. I sent the following questions to Woodcraft's support team and awaiting their response.

Decided that it wouldn't hurt to also reach out to the community for inputs - happy new year

• Do the loose rings go between the center band and the cap, or between the center band and the body?
• Does the order of the loose rings matter?
• Are the loose rings glued/fixed to the cap or body separately from the center band?

Since my order for the 06S62 bushing set for this kit is back ordered, I used a bushing set for Rockler.com's "Summit Pen Hardware Kit – Black Titanium" (item #46345) for the attached images:

• Image 1: Full mandrel with loose rings between the center band and cap
• Image 2: Close-up with loose rings between center band and body
• Image 3: Close-up with loose rings between center band and cap

I just opened my other two kits and one is like yours. It's a titanium finish. I think the wider of the two rings is a contrasting finish so should probably go on the center band first. The difference it subtle but I believe the contrasting band should be in the middle. The fillet (rounded) end goes toward the tip and the two rings fit toward the cap end.

 

[egnald]

As for the CA to glue the band onto the tenon - use it exceptionally sparingly. It really shouldn't even need to cover the whole tenon, just one spot on it, enough to lightly secure the center band so it doesn't slip off. I would even suggest using epoxy, again exceptionally sparingly. This should give you the opportunity to re-position it if needed and also to wipe off squeeze out if it should happen. Another option would be to use a narrow parting tool to cut a slight groove on the inside edge of the tenon, just enough that any excess glue would have a place to go rather than being squeezed out. - Dave

 

[DocTich]

As for the CA to glue the band onto the tenon - use it exceptionally sparingly. It really shouldn't even need to cover the whole tenon, just one spot on it, enough to lightly secure the center band so it doesn't slip off. I would even suggest using epoxy, again exceptionally sparingly. This should give you the opportunity to re-position it if needed and also to wipe off squeeze out if it should happen. Another option would be to use a narrow parting tool to cut a slight groove on the inside edge of the tenon, just enough that any excess glue would have a place to go rather than being squeezed out. - Dave

Thanks for the tips. Finished the last two.

 

[Angusga]

Thanks for the tips. Finished the last two.

These legacy kits are a great design idea with inferior features. The instructions that don't come with the kit aren't much help either when compared to all the other ones I've seen. I don't intend to be negative. I was surprised with the issues that these kits presented.
I've found that a small bead of glue on the inside where the band meets the wood helps immensely. The internal ledge for the tennon on these isn't long enough to be effective. With the hard edge on the band I also think that the center bushing needs to be wide enough for the bottom half of the pen to match it. I'm fortunate to have a machine lathe to remedy these issues. I just finished one with a resin blank last night that had a press fit. With a longer tennon I didn't need any glue at all. It did cut a small shaving as it went on that came right off at the buffer. Here's a picture with two of the finished legacy European kits. The one on the right is the resin blank I turned last night.