Pen press

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davidbr

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Franklin, NC
I need some advice on what kind of pen press to get. There seems to be good reviews and also bad reviews on all makes. So what would be your advice on this topic?
 
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I've tried various methods and wasn't satisfied with any until I biught the Wood River pen press at Woodcraft. I have problems visuallly lining pieces up correctly and I can now do a good job. Here's the lonk: http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2003988/38668/woodriver-deluxe-pen-press.aspx

Its pricey, but if I had bought it to start with I wouldn't have messed up as many pens on assembly, nor would I have wasted my money on other stuff.
 
Thanks Dave, I have some tremmors so with all the shaking it is hard for me to hold everything in place and close the clamp. Seems like I spend more time picking everything up than I do turning the pens.
 
I own the Big Horn model. It works well and is easy to adjust for various lengths. However, I use my lathe to press parts together these days. I turned some soft plastic fittings for my headstock and tailstock. I just crank on the quill to press the pieces together. I got the idea when I saw PSI had come out with two plastic parts for pressing on the lathe. The Big Horn just collects dust and shavings now. A pen press would be very low on the priority list if I were advising someone new to pen turning. There are so many ways to get the job done without spending the money on a press.

Just my 2 cents, Joe
 
Here's mine! Works great!
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2 MT2 stub arbours with some Delrin stuck on the arbours with double-sided tape.

Less than $20.00 cost.
 

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I don't use one. Similar to (but nowhere near as elaborate as) Mac's above I just turned a couple of 'stoppers' for headstock & tailstock from scraps. Didn't even cost me $5. Works great with very fine control on insertion of mechanisms etc. When they get a bit chewed up, just turn a few more.
 
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I turned a piece of 1" maple dowel I had with a #2 MT on each end and then cut it apart in the middle. Inserted into eachend of my Jet lathe it will press the pens together with good control. Just turn the handle crank on the tail end till the parts are set. Cost, free.
WB
 
Thanks for all your input, I believe I see a HF arbor press in my near future. I think that would work and not be bending or breaking like some of the reviews on the pen presses report.
 
I sent you a pm Davidbr, the one i got will not bend, or hasnt on me and i dont use it,send me your email and i will show it to you, i was going to post it on here shortly anyway with the other stuff i got rid of
rodney599@att.net
Rodney Ross
 
I've been using a Milescraft pen press since I started making pens and I've never had any damage done to a pen. I did damage the press but it turned out to be a manufacturing problem. Milescraft sent me a new updated version for fre and all has been great! I'd buy another one without question.
 
I've tried the purpose-made pen presses and while they work okay, they were PITA to use in my humble opinion. I switched over to a Zyliss vise and it is fantastic. Super easy to control and it takes almost no effort at all. You can usually get a used one from ebay for around $25-30. They double as a very versitile vise for many other wood working projects. Here's an example of one on ebay. Zyliss Vise Clamp Swiss Made | eBay

I have no affiliation with the seller, but these make great pen presses.

Jim Smith
 
Just get a small arbor press and make a jig to hold the parts in alignment or just hold the parts by hand.

You can use that arbor press for all sorts of other things as well. One tool - many uses.
 
I also use the HF arbor press. I took the ram out and sanded off the cross hatch on the bottom so it would not mar my parts. Works great but be sure you get the parts straight before you apply the pressure.
 
To be honest I just use the simple unit that came with my Penn State starter kit. I don't have any problems with it and I like the feel of pressing with a lever as opposed to using a screw mechanism like an arbor press.
 
Big Horn via Amazon

The Big Horn press is a very fine device..... No instructions (not really necessary), but the handle in photo is shown in a poor configuration.... I am sure the design engineer had different hole set up for the press.... I like having separate devices for differing tasks (a bit of a tool collector)... good luck...
If you get the Big Horn, I can describe the handle issue.... I wrote a review for Amazon....
Cheers....

Ron C.
 
DaveInTexas said:
I've tried various methods and wasn't satisfied with any until I biught the Wood River pen press at Woodcraft. I have problems visuallly lining pieces up correctly and I can now do a good job. Here's the lonk: Buy WoodRiver Deluxe Pen Press at Woodcraft.com

Its pricey, but if I had bought it to start with I wouldn't have messed up as many pens on assembly, nor would I have wasted my money on other stuff.
Click to expand...

I did a demo from Woodcraft and used this press. I liked it so much I took it home and sold my old one.
 
I was pleased with my Zyliss until I used the new Milescraft model while working the "Learn to turn" exhibit last weekend. Spring loaded rod and flip spacers with micro adjust piston allowed me to punch slim transmissions accurately in one shot and complete the pen way faster than I could have done on my Zyliss. Of course I had to take one home. :rolleyes:

Harry
 
I too worked at the "Learn to Turn" CSUSA booth last weekend at the Woodworking Show in Ft. Worth. I used the Milescradft pen press and also returned home with one.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

plano_harry said:
I was pleased with my Zyliss until I used the new Milescraft model while working the "Learn to turn" exhibit last weekend. Spring loaded rod and flip spacers with micro adjust piston allowed me to punch slim transmissions accurately in one shot and complete the pen way faster than I could have done on my Zyliss. Of course I had to take one home. :rolleyes:

Harry
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To join the thread; I don't like single purpose tools. I prefer multi-taskers. My pen press is a set of oak jaws on my woodworkers vise. The jaws have alignment marks. It has a quick release and I can put just as much pressure on it as I need.
 
I've been using the Milescraft myself. I just bought a set of the plastic arbors from Woodcraft. Very easy to use & the price is right also!
 
I usually use my drill press. I have to do a demo away from my shop so just bought the Milescraft, but have not used it much yet. Glad to hear the good reviews.

Harry, How did you set it to do slim transmissions? Is it something that will stay setup or do you need to reset it every time?
Thanks
 
I'd like to learn Harry's technique, too. Love the Milescraft. I've suspected that it could be set for pressing transmissions in to the same depth, but haven't known how. Of course, if I had read the manual . . . Russ
 
Don't see my press in the discussion

I use an old HUT Products hardwood pen press. Oak and Maple construction except for hardware, and the tip of the plunger. A copper plug. Adjustable. Not bad, handle broke twice. Glued it once. Second time I redesigned it with an additional 1/4" oak to thickness, adjusted the fork slightly to fit and has never given me any problems.
Knowing what I know now. A couple of pieces of nylon, delrin or similar in the lathe would work, or a simple arbor press from HF. Used to have a HF arbor press at work. It always pressed wheel bearings into forklift load tires very nicely, (we changed our own).
Another alternative is to use one's drill press.

Charlie
30043
 
davidbr said:
Thanks Dave, I have some tremmors so with all the shaking it is hard for me to hold everything in place and close the clamp. Seems like I spend more time picking everything up than I do turning the pens.
Click to expand...

David, if you have problems with the parts jumping off the press, and who hasn't picked a few up off the floor? I would recommend the spring loaded Miles Craft with quick flip length adjustments. After using one at a turn-a-thon I was hooked.

Amazon.com: Milescraft 4700 Turners Press for Joining Pens and Other Turned Projects of All Types: Home Improvement

Harry
 
I chucked up a stubby Phillips head screwdriver and turned the end of the handle flat... now I put the screwdriver in my drill press and put a 3" long piece of 1-1/2" acrylic in the blank drilling vise for a platform to press the parts together. I can't see the need to spend $35 or $40 for a single purpose devise when there are so many more options available to you.
 
There's plenty of ideas here already.
I use a 3/8 hex bolt in my drill press. Chuck the bolt upside down and use the head to press the pen parts.
 
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