Question on Pen Press

[jd99]

The next tool I am going to make is a Pen Press, I have a small custom made arbor press that I made several for a customer and I plan on modifying it to be a pen press.

My question is of those that have pen press's what don't you like about it, what do you think it should have, etc. etc.

Since I never had one I only know what I see, one thing I noticed is that there is no guides that hold the pen square when pressing together I see the little hole for the nib end, but nothing on the other to make sure your pressing on centerline you could get out of line with the pen realy easy. (From what I see)

Any how thanks for any and all comments.

Danny

 

[brownsfn2]

The thing that annoys me about mine is that when I have a pen sitting between the two contact point held in by pressure from the spring it is not a strong enough hold. If I lift the handle slightly the pen falls off.

I would also take a look at the Milescraft Turners Press. I think that the many flip over aluminum stops are nice and give a lot of flexibility.

 

[Splinter]

Danny,

I have a pen press but it generally a "pain in the butt". One of the men in my wood turning club showed me a press he made that costs almost nothing and works great.

Get you a piece of Delrin rod and cut off two pieces about 4" long and turn one of each piece into a morse taper to fit your lathe. Then turn the other end with a slight dimple. Then just use your lathe as a pen press. It works great. You have total control over the pressure you apply.

I haven't use the commercial pen press in a long time.

 

[Papo]

"Get you a piece of Delrin rod and cut off two pieces about 4" long and turn one of each piece into a morse taper to fit your lathe. Then turn the other end with a slight dimple."

Or it can also be made out of wood with rubber tips glue to the ends.

 

[randyrls]

Danny; I use my woodworkers vise attached to my workbench. I put a pair of magnet attached wood face jaws. I draw a few lines on the jaw tops as alignment parks.

When I consider any tool purchase or build, I always think"Multi-tasking" or what else can this tool do?

 

[dankc908]

I like the fact that, on my arbor press, I am working with a vertical pen rather than a horizontal one. It works better for me.

 

[GrantH]

i just use my lathe. It works perfect. You can do it multiple ways. Anywhere from an morse taper turned piece of walnut on both ends to chucking up a small square or round piece of soft(ish) wood in your jaws and drill chuck. I can put one in and leave it alone for as long as I want, it's staying put.

 

[KBs Pensnmore]

The next tool I am going to make is a Pen Press, I have a small custom made arbor press that I made several for a customer and I plan on modifying it to be a pen press.

My question is of those that have pen press's what don't you like about it, what do you think it should have, etc. etc.

Since I never had one I only know what I see, one thing I noticed is that there is no guides that hold the pen square when pressing together I see the little hole for the nib end, but nothing on the other to make sure your pressing on centerline you could get out of line with the pen realy easy. (From what I see)

Any how thanks for any and all comments.

Danny

Hi Danny,
If you drill on the drill press, you could set the pen press up to be able to drill blanks as well. I bought one that is both just by adding another V block with an adaptor bolt. I got it from Timberbits $40au. Check out Davids website for more detais on it. When I made my other one I also set it up to be able to dismantle pens, a nylon/delrin block with a hole to clear the nib section about 1" long, a 1/4" hole about 1/4" deep(dismantling shaft) with a small hole about 1/4" deeper to take the small dismantling shaft, another delrin block long enough to clear the transmission with just over 1/4" for the transmission to go through.
Kryn

 

[dansills]

Problem I'm having on my pen press is the CA finish lifting along edge from the pressure needed. Any ideas? I'm thinking that the delrin bushings where the ca can kinda wrap around the end may help????.?

 

[Davej_07]

I just use a grip clamp from menards. I haven't gone wrong so far.

Dave

 

[flyitfast]

If you buy one with that "little hole for the nib", be very careful. I don't use that hole after it scratched and compressed the nib on a pen I was assembling. The nib has to be the exact shape as the whole or it will change the shape of the nib. The concept is good, but......
I have heard many members use an Arbor Press from HF and have good luck with it.
gordon

 

[KBs Pensnmore]

The next tool I am going to make is a Pen Press, I have a small custom made arbor press that I made several for a customer and I plan on modifying it to be a pen press.

My question is of those that have pen press's what don't you like about it, what do you think it should have, etc. etc.

Since I never had one I only know what I see, one thing I noticed is that there is no guides that hold the pen square when pressing together I see the little hole for the nib end, but nothing on the other to make sure your pressing on centerline you could get out of line with the pen realy easy. (From what I see)

Any how thanks for any and all comments.

Danny

Hi Danny,
If you drill on the drill press, you could set the pen press up to be able to drill blanks as well. I bought one that is both just by adding another V block with an adaptor bolt. I got it from Timberbits $40au. Check out Davids website for more detais on it. When I made my other one I also set it up to be able to dismantle pens, a nylon/delrin block with a hole to clear the nib section about 1" long, a 1/4" hole about 1/4" deep(dismantling shaft) with a small hole about 1/4" deeper to take the small dismantling shaft, another delrin block long enough to clear the transmission with just over 1/4" for the transmission to go through.
Kryn

Check out Woodwork Forum Australia under pen turning, someone has made some adaptors to suit Timberbits Pen Press, that include guides to support and line up pen components.
Kryn