Todd in PA
Member
I bought 5 of the PSI "Graduate" magnetic rollerball kits recently.
I glued up a segmented blank, drilled it, trimmed it, turned it, and finished it in the same manner that I always do. When I pressed it together, the cap cracked. Crap!! I blamed the clip for causing the end to go in crooked, and put it on the growing pile of "tuition pens" (ie the cost of learning a new skill).
I made another one. I completely removed the clip this time (it has a little screw holding it in) and carefully pressed it in. Crack! I'm sure I cleaned the tube properly...didn't I?
I made another one. I cleaned the tube and examined it under magnification to verify not a speck of glue or debris. Removed the clip. Press...CRACK!!!
I made another one. I applied thin CA to the end of the blank to give it more strength before finishing, cleaned the tube, removed the clip. I also waited until the next day to press it in to make sure the CA was cured. Pressed---CRACK!!
I made another one. I did some reading around IAP and found someone talking about thinning the brass tube to get a looser fit. I cut a slot in a dowel, slipped a ribbon of 320 sandpaper into the slot and used a drill to sand the inside of the tube. I rigorously cleaned the brass dust, because of the magnet in this kit. Waited 4 days, then pressed it together. CRACK!!!! Not so visible, but I can feel it with my fingernail.
I'm completely fed up with this kit. I believe I did everything to try to be successful. Do you think these kits are mis-sized or the 'gold' finish is flawed. Batch error? At $17 a pop, I'm putting $85 + maybe 30 hours of shop time into the tuition pile.
Well, I actually gave away 2 of the pens as gifts. 
I'm not trying to get a refund or air a complaint about PSI. I just want to vent a bit, and I want to see if other turners have had kits they just can't work with.
I made a new order of kits from Exotic Blanks. Maybe I'll have better luck with some Berea kits.
Magnetic Graduate Gold Rollerball Pen Kit
This stylish and stately writing instrument includes a captivating magnetized cap. The cap posts instantly and securely on both ends of the pen, the long barrel provides a solid feel and smooth writing experience. Features a convenient spring clip, an elegant profile with a wider top and narrower bo
www.pennstateind.com
I glued up a segmented blank, drilled it, trimmed it, turned it, and finished it in the same manner that I always do. When I pressed it together, the cap cracked. Crap!! I blamed the clip for causing the end to go in crooked, and put it on the growing pile of "tuition pens" (ie the cost of learning a new skill).
I made another one. I completely removed the clip this time (it has a little screw holding it in) and carefully pressed it in. Crack! I'm sure I cleaned the tube properly...didn't I?
I made another one. I cleaned the tube and examined it under magnification to verify not a speck of glue or debris. Removed the clip. Press...CRACK!!!
I made another one. I applied thin CA to the end of the blank to give it more strength before finishing, cleaned the tube, removed the clip. I also waited until the next day to press it in to make sure the CA was cured. Pressed---CRACK!!
I made another one. I did some reading around IAP and found someone talking about thinning the brass tube to get a looser fit. I cut a slot in a dowel, slipped a ribbon of 320 sandpaper into the slot and used a drill to sand the inside of the tube. I rigorously cleaned the brass dust, because of the magnet in this kit. Waited 4 days, then pressed it together. CRACK!!!! Not so visible, but I can feel it with my fingernail.
I'm completely fed up with this kit. I believe I did everything to try to be successful. Do you think these kits are mis-sized or the 'gold' finish is flawed. Batch error? At $17 a pop, I'm putting $85 + maybe 30 hours of shop time into the tuition pile.
Well, I actually gave away 2 of the pens as gifts. I'm not trying to get a refund or air a complaint about PSI. I just want to vent a bit, and I want to see if other turners have had kits they just can't work with. I made a new order of kits from Exotic Blanks. Maybe I'll have better luck with some Berea kits.
