Hoping to "Click" from Vancouver, BC

[flairwoodworks]

Hi everyone!

I have turned more pens than I can count from kits, then started combining multiple kits to make pens that met my aesthetic preferences. My favourite kit combination is a round-top European with centre band from a Streamline kit. My pen with the most WOW factor is a towering 22" desk pen (so you don't lose it, and nobody walks away with it).

Now, I am currently working on a kitless pen design and am evaluating whether I get can get a "click" mechanism to work in it. My friend @magpens recommended the Schmidt SKM-88 and SKM-192. If anybody else has recommendations for quality click mechanisms (or has built a click mechanism!), I'd love to hear from you.

My background is furniture making, but my passions are for design and engineering. I like to make things efficient.

 

[magpens]

Hi Chris !! . . Warm welcome to IAP !! . . Very good to see you !!! . . . . . . . and . . . . . . ! ! !

Don't forget the warnings I gave you about this place . . . . some of the members get very friendly and helpful . . . . ! ! ! !

Also ..... be sure to check out the Library and Resources sections.

 

[Alan Morrison]

Welcome to the forum, Chris.
My recommendation for a top quality click pen is the Tempest from Beaufort Ink. Your friend Mal could probably inform you where it can be obtained in Canada.

Alan

 

[flairwoodworks]

Thank you @magpens and @alanemorrison for the warm welcomes. Thanks for the lead on the Tempest.

 

[Jim15]

Welcome Chris.

 

[Dalecamino]

Welcome Chris...it sounds like we're in for some refreshing pen photos. And don't believe a word of what Mal says about me!

 

[PatrickR]

Welcome Chris,
Have you looked at Milans pens web site? They carry a variety of click mechanisms. The SKM-88 is a solid choice if you like the look and want it to be quiet. Any of the Schmidt mechs will be well made.
I'll be interested in seeing what you come up with.

 

[Curly]

Welcome to the forum Chris,
Any friend of Mal's is.........someone to run away from.

 

[egnald]

Greetings from Nebraska and welcome to the IAP community - Dave

 

[flairwoodworks]

Thanks for the greetings @Jim15, @Dalecamino, @PatrickR, @Curly and @egnald.

Dale: Inspiration is everywhere. Your comment about refreshing pen photos reminded me to make that sculptural pen I've been thinking about for years. And that reminds me of the Unturned Pencils (are we allowed to talk about pencils here?) made by Fair Woodworking (not me - I'm Flair Woodworks). They're definitely unique. https://www.picuki.com/tag/LatheFreeOrDie

Patrick: Is this the site you're referring to? https://www.milan.es/en/writing-and-painting/ball-pens

Curly: Run all you like, but with the internet, you never get closer or farther!

 

[PatrickR]

@flairwoodworks - this is the place https://www.milanspens.com/
the unturned pencils are interesting. Although I think a small amount of turning would improve the transitions.

 

[leehljp]

Welcome Chris! Looking forward to seeing more of your creations!

 

[tomtedesco]

Welcome from Colorado.

 

[RichAldrich]

Welcome from the Springs!

 

[darrin1200]

Welcome aboard from Ontario Chris. You'll find lots of useful help here, but you definitely can't go wrong listening to Mal.

 

[flairwoodworks]

Thanks for the welcomes @leehljp, @tomtedesco, @RichAldrich and @darrin1200.

@flairwoodworks - this is the place https://www.milanspens.com/

Thanks for the lead Patrick. I've e-mailed them to see if I can get a better shipping rate than $40 for a few mechanisms. The prices for the mechanisms alone seem very fair.

 

[PatrickR]

Thanks for the welcomes @leehljp, @tomtedesco, @RichAldrich and @darrin1200.

Thanks for the lead Patrick. I've e-mailed them to see if I can get a better shipping rate than $40 for a few mechanisms. The prices for the mechanisms alone seem very fair.

I just don't get the US to Canada shipping prices.

 

[Curly]

I just don't get the US to Canada shipping prices.

Some of it is the sender having to fill out a declaration form so they charge the buyer for the extra time and some is the the of shipping they pick. Some will send small orders in a flat rate box but the rate for international with them is close to triple the domestic rate where if they just got a small box and sent it first class it would be about half as much. And sometimes it is just because they can.

 

[flairwoodworks]

Some of it is the sender having to fill out a declaration form so they charge the buyer for the extra time and some is the the of shipping they pick. Some will send small orders in a flat rate box but the rate for international with them is close to triple the domestic rate where if they just got a small box and sent it first class it would be about half as much. And sometimes it is just because they can.

I used to make wooden bench dogs and shipped them all over North America (and internationally). There is a 20mm postal limit for a certain rate class so we made sure that our packaged product did not exceed that thickness. It was very inexpensive to ship to the US, but rather expensive to ship within Canada. Get this: the shipping rates to send a package of dogs to Florida and then back to my next door neighbour than to ship directly to my neighbour.

 

[PatrickR]

wacky!
I have gotten so used to getting free shipping (thanks Amazon) that paying anything doesn't feel right.

 

[magpens]

I used to make wooden bench dogs and shipped them all over North America (and internationally). There is a 20mm postal limit for a certain rate class so we made sure that our packaged product did not exceed that thickness. It was very inexpensive to ship to the US, but rather expensive to ship within Canada. Get this: the shipping rates to send a package of dogs to Florida and then back to my next door neighbour than to ship directly to my neighbour.

Canada Post rates are .... *%!@!!*??

I shipped 2 pens to my grandson and his grilfriend ... from Vancouver to Winnipeg ... cost me $18 ... BECAUSE the package was JUST over 20mm.
The weight was well under 200 gm

 

[flairwoodworks]

Canada Post rates are .... *%!@!!*??

I shipped 2 pens to my grandson and his grilfriend ... from Vancouver to Winnipeg ... cost me $18 ... BECAUSE the package was JUST over 20mm.
The weight was well under 200 gm

The fuel surcharge might have been less if they were Streamline pens

 

[magpens]

The fuel surcharge might have been less if they were Streamline pens

@flairwoodworks

Very funny !!! . . And I suppose if they had been "Aero" pens they could have flown there themselves !!!