Kitless pen without metal lathe?

[Bigj51]

I really want to make a kitless click pen utilizing the click mechanism from Richard Greenwald, but I don't have a metal lathe. If I get the proper tap to seat this click mechanism how do I go about taping the blank once the pilot hole is drilled? I know I need a 7 x .75 tap but don't know if it possible to do this with one of of the hand twist tap and die sets from Home Depot. I would appreciate any help/suggestions as I would really love to start making some of the kitless clickers!

Thanks in advance!

 

[trapper]

If you have apillar drill drillpress use that to start the thread then switch to the hand tool with your workpiece in a good centering vice. It's not as easy as doing it on a lathe but it worked for me until i upgraded my equipment.

If you have a good wood lathe something like a jet why not put a chuck in the tailstock just work slow and methodically do some test pieces for practice. Thats the best tool you can ever have

 

[BRobbins629]

Threading with taps and dies is virtually the same on wood lathe as a metal lathe. Best to have a drill chuck in the tail stock to keep the threads straight. Just keep the tail stock a little loose so it can move as the threads advance. If you want to use a die, get a die holder for the tail stock with a 2 mt else a holder that fits in the drill chuck.

 

[frank123]

Tapping consists of putting the tap against the drilled hole in perfect alignment (or at least near perfect) of the axis of the drilled hole and the axis of the tap (so their center lines are in complete alignment and not at an angle), putting a small amount of pressure on the tap as it is turned into the hole. It will not need pressure after it starts threading.

It could be done simply by hand, but making a jig of some sort to keep them in alignment is best, usually withthe tap in a drill chuck in the tailstock of a wood or metal lathe with the drilled blank held in the headstock in a chuck or collet or maybe a second appropriate sized drill chuck.

You could also just make a jig that holds the two in alignment to do it by hand outside the lathe by hand if you want, tap a few pieces of scrap material and ideas will come to you about how to do it. It's pretty simple if you just do it and don't overthink it. If you drill the center hole in a drill press, don't move the blank and just replace the drill bit with a tap and turn it in by hand while pushing down on the quill very lightly.

Tapping (along with threading with a die) is one of the most common and useful moderately low skill machining operations there is and doesn't require a lathe to do it, a lathe just makes it very easy if you're working with threading into a hole in the end of round stock.

Buy a decent quality tap (and die) as it will last much longer and ensure the threads are correct. They're usually not all that expensive in common sizes. It's a high value skill to possess that you will find far more uses for than just pen making, it doesn't hurt to practice it till you master it.

 

[Andrew_K99]

Look at post #20 here it shows my tapping set up on my wood lathe. I now use a collet chuck instead of the 4 jaw shown. It's the same setup that would be used on a metal lathe.

AK

 

[Bigj51]

Thanks for everyone's input. I have some of the threaded click mechanisms ordered as well as a set of taps and dies. I'm ready to give listless a go!

 

[azamiryou]

Thanks for everyone's input. I have some of the threaded click mechanisms ordered as well as a set of taps and dies. I'm ready to give listless a go!

If by "set of taps and dies" you mean a general set of a variety of sizes, you should confirm that it includes the size and thread pitch needed for the mechanisms you ordered. Many use sizes not usually found in tap and die sets.

 

[Bigj51]

Thanks for everyone's input. I have some of the threaded click mechanisms ordered as well as a set of taps and dies. I'm ready to give listless a go!

If by "set of taps and dies" you mean a general set of a variety of sizes, you should confirm that it includes the size and thread pitch needed for the mechanisms you ordered. Many use sizes not usually found in tap and die sets.

Oh no. I will get a general set of taps and dies for threading parts I make together. But I did order the tap that corresponds to that particular click mechanism. A 7 x .75 I believe. I also ordered this for my lathe...

I'm so exited for this new method of pen making for me!

 

[jasontg99]

This may help: http://content.penturners.org/library/pens/kitlessclickpen.pdf

Jason

 

[PaulDoug]

What speed would you run your lathe to use something like that? Just wondering if my lathe would go slow enough.

 

[Lenny]

What speed would you run your lathe to use something like that? Just wondering if my lathe would go slow enough.

The lathe remains off during the tap and die work. Only for drilling would you use power. Think of the lathe as more of a holding device, maintaining alignment while you turn by hand.

 

[Texatdurango]

What speed would you run your lathe to use something like that? Just wondering if my lathe would go slow enough.

I don't know about anyone else but I hand turn all my threads. Neither my metal lathe or Jet mini go slow enough for me to cut threads in my pens. Cutting a thread .250" long doesn't give me time to turn the power on then off again fast enough to travel that distance.

I just use the lathe to get things aligned then turn the taps and dies by hand. I think several others do as well.

 

[marter1229]

Very interesting ideas.
I just turned some Aluminum on my wood lathe.
Next i will practice threads, then try making a kit-less pen.
How many different taps and dies will I have to convince my wife I need?

 

[Lenny]

Very interesting ideas.
I just turned some Aluminum on my wood lathe.
Next i will practice threads, then try making a kit-less pen.
How many different taps and dies will I have to convince my wife I need?

Always one more set than you have at any given time!

 

[Bigj51]

What speed would you run your lathe to use something like that? Just wondering if my lathe would go slow enough.

The lathe remains off during the tap and die work. Only for drilling would you use power. Think of the lathe as more of a holding device, maintaining alignment while you turn by hand.

Agreed. Hand turning by the wheel on the left was my plan all the way. the lathe would be far far far to fast if turned on.

 

[Bigj51]

Very interesting ideas.
I just turned some Aluminum on my wood lathe.
Next i will practice threads, then try making a kit-less pen.
How many different taps and dies will I have to convince my wife I need?

Always one more set than you have at any given time!

I ordered way too many fun new toys for my lathe yesterday.


A drill chuck for my tail stock

A collet chuck for the head stock

The tap/die lathe attachment pictured above

A Neiko 45 piece Metric Titanium Tap and Die Set

A 7 x .75 tap - specific to the click mechanism I am going to use.

A bunch of click mechanisms, springs and a few acrylic blanks from Richard Greenwald

A few more click mechanisms and some pen clips from Indy Pen Dance

Not to mention, I ordered about another $200 worth of Italian resin blanks and pen refills from Exotic Blanks on Friday.

My mail box will be busy this week!!!

 

[lorbay]

What George said.

Lin.

 

[Texatdurango]

Very interesting ideas.
I just turned some Aluminum on my wood lathe.
Next i will practice threads, then try making a kit-less pen.
How many different taps and dies will I have to convince my wife I need?

Always one more set than you have at any given time!

I ordered way too many fun new toys for my lathe yesterday.


A drill chuck for my tail stock

A collet chuck for the head stock

The tap/die lathe attachment pictured above

A Neiko 45 piece Metric Titanium Tap and Die Set

A 7 x .75 tap - specific to the click mechanism I am going to use.

A bunch of click mechanisms, springs and a few acrylic blanks from Richard Greenwald

A few more click mechanisms and some pen clips from Indy Pen Dance

Not to mention, I ordered about another $200 worth of Italian resin blanks and pen refills from Exotic Blanks on Friday.

My mail box will be busy this week!!!

Wow, sounds like your just around the corner from having more fun in your shop than the law allows in most states!

Keep us posted with your progress and if I could offer one bit of advice...... take detailed notes as you go along, that way when you finally hit on some good combinations and have a nice looking pen, you'll know how you did it! That, and you'll know what doesn't work as well!:wink: