My Very First Completion

[Henry]

So after many many trials and errors I've finally completed my first kitless pen. The acrylic is a bunch of cut offs from a grab bag I bought. The pen cap/body is 12x0.8 triple start and section/blind cap/cap finial is 10x1mm. It is fitted w a Jowo #6. I can't figure a good way to clean these yucky threads though. Any thoughts?

This was very challenging and would never happen if it wasn't for everyone here along with the countless tips and advice as well as resources. Thank you all.

 

[Fred Bruche]

An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner is a good (and not too expensive) investment to clean those threads.

 

[Henry]

I will thank you!

 

[Displaced Canadian]

Toothbrush and plastic polish can help as well. Even threads need to brush their teeth.

 

[duncsuss]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner as final wash, but these spiral brushes do a good job getting the majority of the grunge out of barrels and caps:

https://smile.amazon.com/Cleaner-Extend-Cleaners-Drinking-Cleaning/dp/B09MH2HKYZ

 

[Valleyboy]

It's a lot easier if you can avoid them getting like that in the first place. Could I ask what caused it? Is it buffing compound?

 

[PatrickR]

Very nice! They will go smoother with repetition.
On the cap it looks like you may have melted the plastic. If so no cleaning will help, you would have to cut or sand down to fresh material.

 

[Henry]

Yea I think I may have melted some plastic there too. I think the gunk maybe from dirty taps and dies? Dirty shop lol? I uses tap lube before cutting. Maybe that's what causes the gumminess..

 

[PatrickR]

Yea I think I may have melted some plastic there too. I think the gunk maybe from dirty taps and dies? Dirty shop lol? I uses tap lube before cutting. Maybe that's what causes the gumminess

Definitely keep your tooling clean. Plastic doesn't require the same lubes as metals. I use canola oil or mineral oil. Soapy water would probably work well but I keep water away from my tools.