Pen supply question

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  • leehljp
    Just me
    • Dec 2002
    • 8429
    • Tunica, MS
    • BT3000/3100

    Pen supply question

    1. Do any of you have the disassembler tools for pens or pencils; are they helpful? Being here in Japan and not having access to quick ordering of parts make this seem like helpful tools.

    2. Doesn't the gluing prevent disassembling, making disassembly impossible?

    3. What percentage of pen to pencil kits do you buy? I will be in the States a month and will be bringing back about 100 total units and am thinking about 4 pens to 1 pencil set - 80 pens of various models to 20 pencils. A couple of friend use pencils more than pens so I upped my estimate from 9 to 1 to 8 to 2. Opinions?

    Bear in mind that I am trying to plan for a whole year of occasional pen / pencil turning before being able to get more supplies. I have access to exotic wood.

    Thanks
    Hank Lee

    Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!
  • Whaler
    Veteran Member
    • Dec 2002
    • 3281
    • Sequim, WA, USA.
    • DW746

    #2
    I don't have the disassembly tool but have wished that I had.
    Once the brass tubes are glued in they are history but you can buy replacement tubes in most sizes and you can salvage the pressed in parts.

    My order ratio is about 80% pens and 20% pen and pencil sets, no pencil only orders yet.
    Dick

    http://www.picasaweb.google.com/rgpete2/

    Comment

    • Scottydont
      Veteran Member
      • Aug 2003
      • 2359
      • Edmonds, WA, USA.
      • Delta Industrial Hybrid

      #3
      I haven't bothered with a dissasemble yet. The glue does pose a problem! I buy almost 95% pen kits myself.

      I don't know where you are planning on getting your kits but you can get slimlines for as low as $1.70 from Ryan at www.woodturnings.com and Europeans and cigar styles for around $2.95 from Bill Baumbeck at http://www.arizonasilhouette.com/ or http://www.woodpenpro.com/category.html;$sessionid$S5GYNCYAAAXSLTZENUFETIWPE RWRJPX0?UCIDs=1277712 on the internet as opposed to $3-6 bucks at Rockler or Woodcraft. If you are planning on buying 100 they are open to volume discounts.
      Scott
      "The Laminate Flooring Benchtop Guy"

      Edmonds WA

      No coffee, no worky!

      Comment

      • sdmaker
        Established Member
        • Feb 2004
        • 287
        • St. louis, MI, USA.

        #4
        I dont have the disassembly tool either. There was about two times out of all the pens I have done that I wished I had one. They will not save the brass tubes once they are glued. they just disassemble the pressed together parts. However if for some reason you need to get the brass tubes out, you can just mount them in the lathe and turn all the wood away, have had to do this before, when one of the blacks blew apart while turning
        Dave in Michigan
        http://community.webshots.com/user/sdmaker

        http://photobucket.com/albums/v166/sdmaker/

        Comment

        • gerti
          Veteran Member
          • Dec 2003
          • 2233
          • Minnetonka, MN, USA.
          • BT3100 "Frankensaw"

          #5
          The brass tubes are relatively cheap. I always have a supply of those on hand, so when I don't like the outcome (or the wood explodes irreparable) I can start over without loosing a kit.

          Few people in the US seem to use pencils. I know they are much more common in Europe, especially the 0.5 mm leads. Most kits here use 0.7 mm leads, which is a bit thick for technical drawings etc. So I don't think US numbers will help you in Japan.

          Also personally I am not a big fan of the standard 7mm kit. I have tried many different kits. My current favorite are the roundtop European pens. They are a bit more elegant that the flattop American ones, but do carry a bit more heft than the 7mm styles. I also make fountain pens, here the El Grande and El Grande streamline seem very nice (though a bit harder to make).

          BTW the only 0.5mm pencil kit I know of is the convertible pen/pencil kit. OK looking, but the pencil mechanism is excellent.

          One last note: Buy extra bushings! I'd say you want new bushings every 10 to 20 kits.

          Gerd

          Comment

          • leehljp
            Just me
            • Dec 2002
            • 8429
            • Tunica, MS
            • BT3000/3100

            #6
            You guys have given me some great information. Thanks! I appreciate it!
            Hank Lee

            Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!

            Comment

            • sdmaker
              Established Member
              • Feb 2004
              • 287
              • St. louis, MI, USA.

              #7
              Good tip on the extra bushings gerti. That is a definate need. And I agree, not many people around me seem to be interested in the pencils either.
              Dave in Michigan
              http://community.webshots.com/user/sdmaker

              http://photobucket.com/albums/v166/sdmaker/

              Comment

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