Gary Beasley
Member
I found some kits at Rockler the other day when I was getting parts to finish a flat top for a customer. It's built on the same design as a flat top but without the exposed tube for the centerband. Looks like a grownup slimline and the centerband press fits into the bottom tube with threads for the tranny.
When I looked at the instruction sheet that came with it I was mystified, it was describing a pen with a press fit tranny like a slimline and the illustration bore little resemblance to the pile of parts I had. So I went upstairs and downloaded a new sheet from Rocklers web site. I had to go after the bushings and parts with a caliper to figure out which bushing went where. The first sheet had no mention of the two different length tubes, fortunately the new sheet managed to have that point covered.
Needless to say I didn't do a great job on it. Sanding to the bushing on the cap end got me a few thousandths undersize and I somehow managed to leave the nib end too big.
Another thing to watch out for is the fit of the tranny in the top tube. I had the wood all flush with the tube ends, pressed the brass slug in the top of the tranny and pressed it flush at the top like the new sheet said to do. When I screwed the bottom on the centerband was binding to the top when I tried extending the tip. Apparently you need to assemble like the instructions on the flat top instead and press the tranny in from the bottom after the finial is fully assembled so you wind up leaving a little slack as you press the parts together.
I think I'm going to like these kits though after I get used to handling them as they give me a higher end pen with the slim profile of a slimline. I'm not real fond of the Cross style refills and these use a Parker style.
When I looked at the instruction sheet that came with it I was mystified, it was describing a pen with a press fit tranny like a slimline and the illustration bore little resemblance to the pile of parts I had. So I went upstairs and downloaded a new sheet from Rocklers web site. I had to go after the bushings and parts with a caliper to figure out which bushing went where. The first sheet had no mention of the two different length tubes, fortunately the new sheet managed to have that point covered.
Needless to say I didn't do a great job on it. Sanding to the bushing on the cap end got me a few thousandths undersize and I somehow managed to leave the nib end too big.
Another thing to watch out for is the fit of the tranny in the top tube. I had the wood all flush with the tube ends, pressed the brass slug in the top of the tranny and pressed it flush at the top like the new sheet said to do. When I screwed the bottom on the centerband was binding to the top when I tried extending the tip. Apparently you need to assemble like the instructions on the flat top instead and press the tranny in from the bottom after the finial is fully assembled so you wind up leaving a little slack as you press the parts together.
I think I'm going to like these kits though after I get used to handling them as they give me a higher end pen with the slim profile of a slimline. I'm not real fond of the Cross style refills and these use a Parker style.
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