What grade of pens do you use tru-stone blanks for?

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Would you say that tru-stone should only be used for high end pens? With Rhoudium plating? or do you use them for even the Cheap pens with 24k plating?

Why I ask is because I know someone who wants me to make them a slimline pen with tru-stone, I believe he wants 24k gold plating. I told him That I can do it.


But I myself Just don't like the idea of making a pen that the blank costs more than the kit, I like to stick to a rule that the pen kit, should be more or the same cost as the blank.


How do you guys feel about using tru-stone for slimline? would you say that tru-stone should be used for a little better quality kits?

Thanks
 
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i say make the buyer what they want !!

Normally I would use Truestone on a little more upscale pen, but for custom requests I'll do anything. The customer is always right!
 
If the customer wants it then pass the cost onto them. There's nothing saying that it has to only be used for high end pens with rhodium plating. Just let the customer know that there is a real cost connected to the material over say a wood blank. Just my .02
 
I agree with the above comments. Whatever the customer wants! Use some salemanship and tell him the advantages and disadvantages of the components.
 
You'll soon see that "blanks" can cost much more than the cost of a "kit"... and then there are "made from scratch" pens that don't use "kits" at all!!
 
No reason that tru-stone can't be used for a slimline... But...
- I'd recommend Ti-gold not the 24k for lasting
- You might want to consider a streamline (then where the cap and center band is a little thicker than your normal slim).
- Make sure to account for the work of this, with a slim you are removing the most material and thus any difficulty turning is increased.
- Be VERY careful assembling as there is very little material at the ends (thus the streamline recommendation - only 1 really thing point).
 
I generally don't use higher priced materials like Trustone on the lower end kits, but there's certainly nothing that says you cant. And if you've got a request for one, then have at it! Just be sure to do your cost analysis on the components and ensure you don't loose out on the deal. Give your customer a fair price that also includes what you feel you need for your time making the pen.
 
Custom means custom

Some folks just like the feel of writing with a slimline. Some the slimmer the better. I would make the pen with the material they want but I would recomment Gold Titanium and tell them the fact that the plating has better wear characteristics than 24kt gold and looks almost as good but if they want 24kt give it to them. Set the price accordingly.
 
"But I myself Just don't like the idea of making a pen that the blank costs more than the kit, I like to stick to a rule that the pen kit, should be more or the same cost as the blank."

MOST of the materials I use cost more than the kit, I think your going to find that rule of thumb very limiting! I have turned several special order pens I did not like, but the customer is the one who has to be happy with the final product, he/she is the one paying for the work.
 
Recently, I was showing my Mom some of my pens. I had made her a Sierra for her Birthday using a Pua Shell Blank from Jonathon. She liked it ok, but wanted a small pen that would fit in her checkbook. It has a holder for a really small pen. Well, I looked through some pen catalogs, and found a twist purse pen that used a mini refill. I told her to look thu the blanks & find one she liked. Of course she picked out a turquoise tru-stone. How can you say no to your mother?:rolleyes:

The good part was that the purse pen is so small, I had enough left over for a Sierra. But still the blank cost more than both pens added together.
 
I just can't (and won't) make anything in 24k or 10k gold. I don't want people to have a problem with something I make. There are so many thing I cannot control - plating choice I can control.
 
alphageek said:
- I'd recommend Ti-gold not the 24k for lasting
Click to expand...

Dean and Mark; +1 on the Ti Gold!

- You might want to consider a streamline (then where the cap and center band is a little thicker than your normal slim).
- Be VERY careful assembling as there is very little material at the ends (thus the streamline recommendation - only 1 really thing point).
Click to expand...

I will sometimes expand the last 1/4" of the bare brass tube with a transfer punch so the fitting is a slip fit. I then glue and turn as normal and put a drop of thick CA glue into the inside of the brass tube. Insert the fitting into the blank with a twisting motion.
 
After you master the first three rules of business (location, location, and location), then it is time to learn Rule #4 - The customer is always right! At least as long as their checks don't bounce and their cards are not declined.
 
Also

randyrls said:
alphageek said:
- I'd recommend Ti-gold not the 24k for lasting
Click to expand...

Dean and Mark; +1 on the Ti Gold!

- You might want to consider a streamline (then where the cap and center band is a little thicker than your normal slim).
- Be VERY careful assembling as there is very little material at the ends (thus the streamline recommendation - only 1 really thing point).
Click to expand...

I will sometimes expand the last 1/4" of the bare brass tube with a transfer punch so the fitting is a slip fit. I then glue and turn as normal and put a drop of thick CA glue into the inside of the brass tube. Insert the fitting into the blank with a twisting motion.
Click to expand...
I see a lot of slimline styles where the material is left proud of the bushing all the way around.
 
Personally, I base my blank and hardware choices on what I think with go together not on what the price of the hardware. I have made slims out of Tru-stone, but mainly by request. Otherwise I only limit it by Parker or Cross. If it is a Parker refill, then I will do it, Cross, I won't make it.
 
Another question, right back. WHAT GRADE of Tru Stone do you use? I can really prove that there are AT LEAST TWO GRADES of Tru Stone, if not three grades.

I can order it from three different sources and get different levels of quality.
 
I got my tru-stone from the crafts supply's usa, She wants the blue turquoise tru-stone, with a 24k gold slimline pen kit. I will be making it tomorrow.


what grade of trust one would this be? I have been thinking about ordering 100 blanks from randbcrafts, This way I could get it alot cheaper. but I don't know If I will be able to use that much trustone.

If I do order some from randbcrafts vs the woodturnerscatalog, what would the grade differances be?

how do you tell the differances in tru-stone grades?


Thanks
 
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