Penmill problem - leaving burr

[underdog]

I'm having a problem with my pen mill. When I'm milling prepped blanks, I just "kiss" the end of the tube with the mill, and it leaves a burr on the tube. There's evidently too much space between the shaft and the blades which lets that part of the tube remain uncut.

What's the solution?

 

[JoeOCNJ]

maybe try something like this.. http://www.arizonasilhouette.com/Chamfering_Tool.htm

 

[monophoto]

I've had a similar problem. The barrel trimmer trims the end of the blank, but it leaves a very thin bur, somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 the thickness of the tube, at the end of the tube.

Because the bur is so thin, you can use a reamer to remove it.

A reamer can be anything - a countersink tool in a handle, a knife blade, even a screwdriver blade.

 

[jtrusselle]

I've had the same problem with a pen mill. I now square ends using a bench sander with a jig.

 

[StephenM]

I use a countersink - don't even need a handle just hold it and give it a turn and it will clean it right up.

I was cleaning up the shop the other day and found my grandfather's countersink for a brace. I think I'm going to make a handle for it and use it as a dedicated tool on every blank.

 

[butchf18a]

Like many others I too have had that problem. Counter sink works, but I went one step further. I wrote to the manufacturer. I'd like to report they are fixing it, but can't. I never got a reply. I'd encourage others to write expressing dissatisfaction, squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

[76winger]

I keep a small X-Acto knife on hand to trim the tubes of burs as well as glue that gets on the insides of the tubes.

 

[Brooks803]

I keep a small X-Acto knife on hand to trim the tubes of burs as well as glue that gets on the insides of the tubes.

+1 Works great. Just don't cut away too much or you'll get a slip fit for the components (unless you want to do that).

 

[wouldentu2?]

I use a rat tail file to clean it up.

 

[76winger]

I keep a small X-Acto knife on hand to trim the tubes of burs as well as glue that gets on the insides of the tubes.

+1 Works great. Just don't cut away too much or you'll get a slip fit for the components (unless you want to do that).

Yep! When the scrapings turn yellow-metallic instead of whitish-clear (glue), you've gone too far.

 

[flyitfast]

Try one of these from Harbor Freight. They are often on sale for $2.99, but even at full price they are great. One end will deburr the inside of a tube and the other end is reversed and will chamfer the outside. Great hand tool.
http://www.harborfreight.com/reamer-deburring-tool-65338.html
Makes inserting pen parts a breeze.
gordon

 

[randyrls]

Arizona Silhouette also has a pen mill that doesn't leave a burr on a 7mm brass tube. The shaft of the trimmer is only 3/16"
http://www.arizonasilhouetteinc.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=448

I usually use a sanding jig. it doesn't get dull or leave a ridge on the brass tube.

 

[pianomanpj]

The chamfering tool from AS is my go-to tool. I use it even if there is no burr. By chamfering the tube before assembly, you can better align the components and help minimize the risk of cracking your blanks.

 

[IPD_Mr]

maybe try something like this.. http://www.arizonasilhouette.com/Chamfering_Tool.htm

That chamfering too is a must have tool. With a refleif on the tub edge the pen parts start into the tube much easier and I have never had a problem with cracking or PR release when using the tool.

 

[underdog]

Mike... what is "PR release"?

Hey all... thanks for all the good info. I especially liked the idea of a smaller 3/16" shaft on the mill. That would take care of the problem before it happened. No need for the chamfer tool then...

 

[sbell111]

My thinking is that the shaft of a pen mill should freely turn in a clean pen tube, but there should not be play.

 

[DurocShark]

I mounted a carbide countersink to a small wooden handle. Takes care of it nicely.

 

[nava1uni]

If you don't trim the blank too much trim the tube you won't get a ridge. I chamfer the inside of a tube to allow easier pressing of the parts, but not because a ridge. Trimming the tube can make the parts the wrong length and then the parts won't fit correctly.

 

[PenPal]

The reamer from Sillouette is available from all Gunsmiths.

Kind regards Peter.