PSI Pen Blank Cutting Jig(S?)

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kenwc

Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
364
Location
Dallas Texas
I have one of the adjustable pen blank cutting jigs from PSI. I bought this one right after it first came out. When I got it I thought it was kinda crummy because it actually cuts the blank SHORTER than the tube. I pulled it out today to see what I could do to it and was also going to write PSI and inquire if they have fixed this and now I see they have two different part numbers of this thing. (although they appear to be the same it's just that one is on sale)

So I was just wondering if anyone had recieved one of these from PSI and were happy with it or have you had to modify yours in order to cut the blanks properly.

Here is a link to the two diffent part numbers just for reference:

http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

Thank you..
 
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I have 2 of them and they work just fine. They are both about a year old. The instructions that came with mine, were very specific about the distance between the end of the jig and the saw blade. If you are too close to the blade, then the blanks will be short. Move the jig a little bit away from the blade and it should be fine. I have mine set up so it leaves about an extra 1/8" on the blank for trueing them up. I also have built a sled under one of them so I can use it with my bandsaw.

The difference in the 2 of them that are being advertised is that one is the sale inventory number. Other than that, they are the same things.
 
I have one and it works fine. You just need to adjust it. You do not just butt it up against the blade, if you do then, yes, it will cut short. Take two identical tubes, then put one in the jig on the left. Slide the jig snug the use the other on the cutting end and adjust it an 1/8" or so away from the blade. Then do a trial cut and adjust it from there.
 
I have one nnd once it's set up you can cut a zillion blanks and they are all the same size (length). I also set it 1/8 away from the blade. works fine for me and now i don't have to worry about cutting off my fingers. Just spring clamp it to the miter and go.
mikem
 
Ken, mine didn't come with instructions and so I was looking at the box to figure it out. Unfortunatley the box doesn't show the gap from the blade. Folks here told me what to do.
 
Originally posted by Malainse

Originally posted by Rifleman1776

Couldn't find it. Do you have a better link?

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/pkscjig.html

OK, I've seen that listed. IMHO, if you have a bandsaw, that looks like a waste of money. I do the same, measure the distance with a tube and cut using my miter gauge to push through. If you only have a CMS, it might be OK but a block of wood clamped down will do the same job for $25.00 less.
 
I have one and love it. What everyone else said on the adjusting and once you have it set I marked a line on the back of my fence so that I just line it up on it and tighten it down.
 
This jig was very close to the top of my to get list, when I heard the first comments about it cutting blanks short. I also want it to go on my band saw. Looks like it would be a good time to reconsider.
Thought this might be interesting. basically the expectations of someone that has never put his hands on one of these much less used one.
First, As for me I expected there is some set up when first using it. I also expect the jig would have to be adjusted if you ever change the blade on your saw (blades vary as to width of kerf). I would think that if you ever move the mitre saw, Radial arm saw or what ever saw you mount it to from the position it was in when the jig was set up, you would have to recheck the set up. If you mount it to a mitre saw than have to move the saw for clean up, limited space or any other of dozens of reasons you would also need to recheck the set up to make sure the blade did not move.
given that any of hte above are avoided I would expect the jig to cut any blanks regardless of shape to the same "extra length" for any tube placed in the jig. If I had the jig set up to cut a blanks 1/8 inch long for a slimline tube. I would expect it to cut everything 1/8 inch longer than the tube I am using. Some of my concerns would be. Is the jig sturdy or something that has to be handled with kid gloves. How is it for avoiding interfernce from things like saw dust. are there channels for allowing the dust to stay out of the way or will it need frequent attention to keep tracks cleared out or dust collecting between blank and stop. Truthfully it looks like 2/3 of a rain gutter so it's self cleaning ability does not look promising. does it operate smoothly or is sliding the stop a funky arm wrestling experience. and finally do the hold downs operate properly or as most low end jigs. make a slight sideways movement just as they tighten up. It looks like at least the blank holding clamp has a swivel foot to avoid this so mainly my concern is with the stop hold down. I would expect the stop set up to be loosen hold down, slide stop, drop in tube, slide stop and tighten hold down. I can see the chance that it would be a bit more finicky than that if the stop does not slide easily or wants to move on you as you tighten.
I also have questions about how it mounts. Is it sturdy and how difficult is it to remove and reinstall. It should mount solidly with no concern that it will move and I would like it to be realtivly easy to remove and put back without having to re set the entire jig.

I thought I would share all that as food for comment rather than just a generic "what do you think of this jig". not putting down that sort of question, just seeing if more detailed specific comments can be coaxed out of people that have actually used this.
 
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