First Post - Pen Press

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jben

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Jul 12, 2006
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Waldorf, Maryland, USA.
About three weeks ago, a post was placed here by Lee Thomas, (Firefyter-emt) of a press he had just made. Pictures showed a heavy duty, very nice Pen Press, that was extremely well made. As I have been having problems with my "store bought" press, I decided to make one exactly like his. Here is a photo of my Pen Press with slight differences, finished today. Thanks to Lee for sharing his work with us.

Image Insert:
20068920750_Press1.jpg



The clamp was ordered online, I used a Maple board purchased at Lowe's, and Grey Corian that I had on hand.

James
 
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James, how the heck are you going to use that? It's just too 'purdy' to muck up. Excellent tool on a serious note. Well done.

-Peter-
 
Very well made! I may need to make one like it.
Did I read your post right? You said you got that curly maple at Lowe's?
 
I hear the thunderous rumblings as hundreds of pen turners rush to their cars to search Lowes, Home Depot, and the like for curly maple!!! [:)] Very nice press; I agree with Peter, it's too pretty to mess up!
 
To answer some questions; Yes, I bought the maple board at Lowe's, I didn't pay much attention to the grain in the store, I was more interested in choosing a board that would fit in my car. The grain was not so vivid before finishing. And yes, I just used it, I pressed together two Atlas Pens that I turned today. I put some feet on it because I want to have a portable press. This works out great as long as I have the handle vertical and move forward.

Here is the same picture with the flash turned on. There is a little washout on the right side of the picture, but captures the grain of the Corian better.

James
20068923379_Press2.jpg
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James just want's to get me to make mine better I think! [:D] His detail blows mine away really. To think I used some lowley plywood for a base, and it was not even BB!! I do plan to remake mine though, I really like the idea of the Corian as I feel the nylon is just too soft. Seeing as how I have to make a new anvil block, it is almost eaiser to make a new base (plus I have to keep up with the James's) I am curious how you like it as a bench use design. I used my 12" bench vice prior to making mine and mine is wall mounted. I really like the wall mount if you have the room, there is no slippage and you can control it very eaisly

Like I said in out e-mail's, that is a seriously nice lookin press! You took my design the a much nicer higher level indeed.
 
Dimentions:
Base: 18 1/2" X 4"
Side Rails: 9" X 1 1/8"
Ram: Laminated, 9 1/8" L Cut to back of anvil 3 3/4" After laminating I cut 1/8" from each side.
Anvil: 1 1/8" H X 1 1/4" W
All wood was from a maple plank 1"X 6" X 6'

Grey material is Corian

Push/Pull Toggle Clamp is from Carr Lane Item no. CL-250-SPC

http://www.carrlane.com/Catalog/index.cfm/27825071F0B221118070C1C513E111D081B0006280B1713050245221E0107070F1A3C3B2853514355

I posted some construction pictures in my album today.

James
 
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