Hi all,
Quick question for those of you who create your own finials, etc. out of aluminum, ebonite, or some contrasting plastic: Any reason to include brass tubes or do you just drill out the material and glue/thread your finial to the body? I can think of only two reasons that the kits use brass tubes: First, I assume they are necessary or the friction fit of the components. Second, they might provide some stability for the pen body, ensuring that it doesn't warp or bend over time (as some of the older acetate blanks tend to do). Obviously, the first doesn't apply for a kitless pen since the aluminum would be threaded or glued.
But what about the second? Do you include a brass tube for structural purposes? If you don't, how thin do you think you could turn a blank while maintaining the structural integrity? I know that last question will vary depending on material and many other factors. But I'm just wondering how folks go about thinking through that issue.
Quick question for those of you who create your own finials, etc. out of aluminum, ebonite, or some contrasting plastic: Any reason to include brass tubes or do you just drill out the material and glue/thread your finial to the body? I can think of only two reasons that the kits use brass tubes: First, I assume they are necessary or the friction fit of the components. Second, they might provide some stability for the pen body, ensuring that it doesn't warp or bend over time (as some of the older acetate blanks tend to do). Obviously, the first doesn't apply for a kitless pen since the aluminum would be threaded or glued.
But what about the second? Do you include a brass tube for structural purposes? If you don't, how thin do you think you could turn a blank while maintaining the structural integrity? I know that last question will vary depending on material and many other factors. But I'm just wondering how folks go about thinking through that issue.