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Pen assembly problem

I've been assembling pens for several years and recently have developed a problem that I cannot figure out. When pressing the top portion of the pen onto the bottom, if I go so far as to have the decorative ring of the top part cover the screw mechanism of the bottom part, the mechanism binds and will not turn. The decorative part on the bottom side of the top appears to be centered properly, but binds nevertheless. I buy my pen parts from Craft supplies the one I'm presently using is the Americana style, so assume they should be good. My lathe -- a Jet mini -- appears to be centered properly, but with the close tolerance we're talking about, it would be hard to see if it were off a hair. As I said, looking at the finished product, the decorative ring does seem to be centered. If I press the top only to where it just touches the screw portion located on the bottom part it works OK, just does not look good. Would appreciate any suggestions.

Reply to
Herb Robinson
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When I've had this problem it was because the end of one of the barrels were not "perfectly" perpendicular to the pen tube. Using a pen mill to true up the ends cured the problem.

Reply to
Nova

On the rec.woodworking you said that the problem is with Americana pens. I had this problem with one too. After reading the instructions (not my normal work flow) I noticed they state to test fit the upper barrel after pressing on the trim ring and removing some internal barrel material with a file if it is not a LOOSE fit. The area with the trim ring has to rotate around the mechanism without binding. Since I started checking them I find about 75% need some filing to open them up. It appears that pressing the trim ring onto the barrel causes the barrel to loose some diameter and if there was any glue or such left on the barrel to start with it will be to small to clear the mechanism.

Bill B

Reply to
BillB

If your talking "Americana Classic" or whatever, I've been having the same problem.. I really don't like this kit as instead of the band riding on a tenon, it rides on the surface of the part that's pressed into the top of the "bottom" pen body..

I noticed that 1 problem was that my tenon didn't exactly match the part that the band rotates on, it seemed out of round.. good trick, on a lathe.. I re-centered the headstock, rotated the bushings, tried another set of bushings, etc.. no help and very frustrating.. I tried blaming myself for too much tool pressure, but after screwing up 5 pens I knew that it was something else.. Tried a new shaft for the pen mandrel, no help.. Gave up for a while and turned a couple of dozen pens of assorted styles and they were fine! I checked the pen parts with a micrometer and they SEEM round, so I just decided to not order any more of those kits..

On the remaining ones, (I ordered 50 kits), I cut the tenon wider and let the band be just touching the bottom enough to cover the "problem" part and that works... But like you said, if I do it according to instructions, the pen stops rotating smoothly if the band is pressed down over the bottom body ring, or whatever you call it.. I pretty much gave up and blamed it on bad pen design, rather that on my turning skills..lol

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

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