Pen press

[Phillip Kelley]

Well...(deep subject)

I bought a cheap red one from a supplier in the northeast & managed to break it within the 1st 2 weeks. (It was very poorly made.) Then while on a business trip to San Antonio I found the Wood River Model (shown above in another post.) It was kinda expensive, but if I had bought it first I wouldn't have been out the $40 for the cheap one! lol The time saved using a good press is invaluable. I think you have a lot more control than
using a clamp, it is easier to align the parts, and you don't have to set up the lathe..To each his own as they say, but I think it would be a good investment. I did let my handle get loose and I manage to break the 1/4" threaded section but I simply drilled it out with a #7 Tap Drill & tapped it for a 1/4" bolt.!

 

[LouF]

I use the vise on my shop workbench does the job.

 

[its_virgil]

So many ways to press pen parts together. I suppose I have tried most all of the ones suggested in this thread. I tried the HF arbor press and hated using it. Don't know why but for me it just didn't work. I have a homemade way much like Mack shared. It works very well and I take it when I travel. I have several of the "standard" presses with rams that screw for adjustment or have spacers for adjustment or have other ways to adjust the spacing for various pen kits requirements. I've used the hand clamps and pipe clamps mentioned. But, now I use the Milescraft and love it.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[rd_ab_penman]

Works for me!
Only cost $1.00.

Les

 

[fernhills]

I use a big machinist vice with wood jaws. Can be infinitely squeezed together to get that perfect advance. The vice sits right where i assemble. Carl