I've made a few pens that I have removed the centerbands from and made each end closed end. (using gent and Jr. gent kits).
I dont have any pictures of them yet but I have a few questions.
I make the pen in the standard way remove the centerband and sand off the last little silver ridge on the cap end of the centerband and leave off the little silver retaining ring on the nib end so they fit flush. I've tried cutting a groove around the tube so the parts fit in and can get a flush fit, but removing the hardware seemed the easiest to me.
My problem is getting the end of each of the barrels the exact same diameter. I use my calipers to measure and am careful, but once the pen is finished and you run your hand up and down it, you can readily tell where the seam is.
Is there a technique to getting it exactly right? I've thought about how you might assemble the pen before it is turned to final shape so you can sand the pieces at the same time, but have no idea how to do that.
Anyone have any suggestions or that can point me towards some reference materials that might help me.
As always thanks for the help.
I dont have any pictures of them yet but I have a few questions.
I make the pen in the standard way remove the centerband and sand off the last little silver ridge on the cap end of the centerband and leave off the little silver retaining ring on the nib end so they fit flush. I've tried cutting a groove around the tube so the parts fit in and can get a flush fit, but removing the hardware seemed the easiest to me.
My problem is getting the end of each of the barrels the exact same diameter. I use my calipers to measure and am careful, but once the pen is finished and you run your hand up and down it, you can readily tell where the seam is.
Is there a technique to getting it exactly right? I've thought about how you might assemble the pen before it is turned to final shape so you can sand the pieces at the same time, but have no idea how to do that.
Anyone have any suggestions or that can point me towards some reference materials that might help me.
As always thanks for the help.