The Paper Pen

As always its important to be safe at the same time as working. I determined the most secure way to cut this paper blanketed using a few sacrificial strips of wooden to assist preserve the paper in region.You ought to use scissors or a knife to reduce out your paper. What ever you use please be secure.

Step 2: Makeing the Pen Blank Jig

I created a small jig which would assist guide the 1 inch rectangular paper squares into alignment at the same time as being glued.

This jig is three portions of timber to shape an L shape on a board glued and tacked into location.

Step 3: Gluing the Pen Blank
Heads up that is the a part of the technique which took a long term.

I used West System 105 with 205 epoxy resin to glue every individual sheet.
The surface tension of the paper and the resin stored the paper from slumping during the glue up.

My primary worry was the resin curing before I may want to finish the manner of gluing up. Luckily the open time varies relatively and the resin stays open for longer whilst it is in small portions so I were given away with it.

I assume experimentation with one of a kind glues and resins could result in faster simpler glue u.S.Than I experienced.

Step 4: Cut Your Brand New Blank
This is wherein the amusing time starts offevolved.

Once you have got separated your pen clean from the jig (I used the saw to get mine out) Its time to workout wherein to cut.

I even have within the beyond used a protracted drill bit at the lathe to cut via the entire clean that is beneficial when you have lovely wood gran and you want it to line up perfectly. But for maximum occasions its far less difficult to apply the drill press.I used the brass tubes to tell wherein to cut earlier than the use of the band saw.

Step 5: Drill That Beautiful Blank
I held the blanks in a vertical role earlier than drilling a hole via the center.
For my kit I used a 7mm drill bit but your package would possibly require a one of a kind size.

Step 6: Glue It Like Its Hot
I like to sand the brass tubes to growth the surface vicinity the glue can stick to and to do away with dirt and oil that can stop the glue from being as powerful as it is able to be.

I used a medium thickness CA/ superglue in the blanks drill hollow as well as at the brass tubes which got here with the package.

The trick to putting the brass into the hole is not to stop. When the brass is shifting there’s lubrication however while it stops the glue is possibly to set fast. Ideally you may become with the brass tube absolutely inserted into the clean.You might want to apply a pencil or some thing to assist push the tube into place.

Top tip from the feedback.

@Scanner2 says:
After you have glued the brass tubes into the blank, you may have a few glue inside the tube. I use a1/4 inch drill bit, turning in opposite, to ream the inside of the tube. Running the bit in reverse prevents it from catching the brass and ripping via the tube.

(This is a awesome tip – I would add relying at the kit you have got and the technique you use to flush the blanks to the brass tubes it might be really worth jogging a difficult peace pf metal across the sharp fringe of the brass tubes on the way to reduce any possible burr and bring about the pens fitting collectively less complicated in relation to that stage)

Step 7: Face It Off
My pen making package came with a facing device.

I preserve this device in my pin jaws on the lathe and allow the locating pin to enter the brass tube before the blades can do away with the elements of the blank which are not surrounding the brass. This effects in a very flat floor for the bushings to rest in opposition to later.

If you do not have a tool like this you may sand or carve the surface flush with the brass tube.

Step 8: Install and Start to Turn
Put your organized pen blanks onto the pen makers mandrel with appropriately sized bushings among the pieces.

For me the correct bushings are slimline bushings although there are numerous styles to selected from.

I commenced to shape and refine the shape the usage of one-of-a-kind gear.
If you would love to realize greater approximately the wood turning gear I used I produced a quick manual for Make Magazine a little while ago speakme about the gear and what they have a tendency to be used for.

Step 9: Refine the Shape and Then Start to Finnish
I like to ensure the shape is as ideal as I can get it earlier than applying any finish.

Once I turned into glad and had sanded to a thousand grit I carried out a layer of thin CA/ Super glue spreading it to make certain a good coat with my finger.. The key to doing that is use masses, not sufficient and the glue will not lubricate as you unfold it.

I covered the pen with around 4 layers of brilliant glue before sanding to 1500 grit and using burnishing cream to carry out a reflect like shine. Cabinet makers name this manner rubbing out and it effects in a perfect end for those happy to put inside the greater work to obtain it.

Step 10: Putting the Parts Together
The components to a package like mine are friction suit however ought to without difficulty go incorrect in case you are not paying interest.

I locate it is high-quality to set out the project in a dry state to peer where things need to go and work out an order.
Here if the top of the pen isn’t equipped before the mechanism troubles may want to arise. I used a vice to apply pressure to the parts and ensuring an excellent in shape.

I could advocate the addition of having high nice inks on your pens because the standards have a tendency to be just OK rather than the exceptional ever. And all Cross fashion pens basically use the same mechanism so you would possibly as nicely use the identical ink because the individuals who spent loads extra than you on their pens and feature the delivered cool factors of getting yours as a one in every of a kind pen you made your self.