Repair tiny chip?

[Woodchipper]

I was putting a Slimline pen together and noticed a small chip in the CA at the edge of one blank. Want to keep the blank as it's a nice figured zebra wood. I'm thinking the CA edge wasn't completely removed by the sandpaper. Having a time figuring out how to repair it. Suggestions are always welcome.

 

[jcm71]

can you post a picture?

 

[Woodchipper]

It's so tiny, it wouldn't show up in a photo. I might put a bit of CA on a toothpick and see if that will fill it in. If not, I'll reverse the blank and put it under the clip.

 

[GaryMGg]

IMO, IF this is a pen you're selling:
Put it back on the lathe and fix the finish properly.
Otherwise, you begin a slippery slope of justifying little imperfections in your products.
Once you start, who knows what will be acceptable and/or compromised later.

If you don't start, you will always present your best!

IMO.

 

[randyrls]

John; Slimline pens are very forgiving as to length. If the chip is less than 1/8" you can sand off the problem. If the pen is already assembled, disassemble it and fix entirely.

I don't use a pen mill anymore except in special circumstances. I have a sanding jig that allows me to trim the ends of blanks without putting undue strain on the blank.

 

[Woodchipper]

The chip appeared when assembling the clip; nothing to do with the pen mill. I'm thinking the end didn't get sanded good before assembly and CA was proud of the tube and blank. Tried to disassemble it yesterday and the part is tight...gave up. Chip is almost microscopic but I don't want to put it at the market and get a reputation for poor quality. My only gripe is the blank is nice figured zebra wood.

 

[duncsuss]

... Tried to disassemble it yesterday and the part is tight...gave up.

What tools do you have and what's your method of disassembly?

Even though I've got a tool specifically designed to do the job, because it only works on one type of pen I started using other things.

I have a set of transfer punches (from Harbor Freight), a rubber grip sold for "golf club repair", and a short-handled sledge hammer.

I slide the largest punch that fits into the barrel, grip it tight with the golf-club-holder, and apply lots of gentle taps with the sledge hammer.

It might take a minute or so, but eventually the press-fit part comes out. And with gentle taps, it usually doesn't go flying across the room - that's where using a very heavy hammer works better than a light one (which requires a wallop to impart the same energy.)

 

[Woodchipper]

duncsuss, I do the same: Transfer punch of the closest size, bike inner tube with a tight grip and a plastic mallet for maximum force. Set it aside and try later. No hurry.
Military saying: Don't force it. Use a bigger hammer.