Hi

[Cherene]

I was wondering if I could get some advise. I am new to pen turning, about 2 months now and I am loving it! I made a fountain pen yesterday using a hybrid blank and when I pushed the clip into the cap, it cracked. I felt like crying. Are there any tips on how to avoid this? Thank you in advance

 

[Alan Morrison]

Hello Cherene.
Check the inside of the tube for debris first and don't push too hard!!!

 

[Kenny Durrant]

The first thing is to do as Alan suggested. To do that and make sure there's not a burr on the inside of the tube I use a rat tailed file to make sure it's clean and straight. Another problem I had was pressing the parts. When I first started I used a small bar clamp. I didn't want to spend the money for a pen press. That was a problem trying to hold the clamp and the pen parts straight at the same time. That was a pain and it caused a few to break. I'm on my second press because I wanted a nicer one and this one will disassemble as well. Now I break very few. It's always easier to glue a loose fitting part than to fix a crack or start over.

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

There's a simple tool that is usually available at places like Home Depot that is used to remove the burr on copper pipe before soldering. They're cheap and effective, esp on the larger tubes.

 

[Cherene]

There's a simple tool that is usually available at places like Home Depot that is used to remove the burr on copper pipe before soldering. They're cheap and effective, esp on the larger tubes.

Thank you

 

[Cherene]

There's a simple tool that is usually available at places like Home Depot that is used to remove the burr on copper pipe before soldering. They're cheap and effective, esp on the larger tubes.

Thank you

Thank you

 

[Cherene]

There's a simple tool that is usually available at places like Home Depot that is used to remove the burr on copper pipe before soldering. They're cheap and effective, esp on the larger tubes.

Thank you

 

[sorcerertd]

Been there, done that. It's so disappointing! I've learned to use a metal bristle bottle brush to clean them out before pressing. A rattail file can get really stubborn stuff out of the ends (like epoxy).

 

[Cherene]

Been there, done that. It's so disappointing! I've learned to use a metal bristle bottle brush to clean them out before pressing. A rattail file can get really stubborn stuff out of the ends (like epoxy).

Thank you.

 

[randyrls]

To join the thread; The suggestions above are good ones. Make sure there is no glue inside the brass tube. You can use Play Dough to block the inside of the brass tube to keep much of the glue out. Clean any glue out with an Exacto knife or file.

Some materials are inherently brittle and can break under stress.

PS. Scuff your brass tubes with sand paper to make the bond between the brass and blank stronger.

 

[Cherene]

To join the thread; The suggestions above are good ones. Make sure there is no glue inside the brass tube. You can use Play Dough to block the inside of the brass tube to keep much of the glue out. Clean any glue out with an Exacto knife or file.

Some materials are inherently brittle and can break under stress.

PS. Scuff your brass tubes with sand paper to make the bond between the brass and blank stronger.

Thank you

 

[tomtedesco]

Welcome from Colorado. My suggestion is to be sure the parts are lined up as you press together. I have ruined blanks because the piece was not straight as I was assembling.

 

[Cherene]

Welcome from Colorado. My suggestion is to be sure the parts are lined up as you press together. I have ruined blanks because the piece was not straight as I was assembling.

Thank you

 

[Cherene]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. This has been very helpful.