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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

Pen Transmisson Problem

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Pen Transmisson Problem

#1

Pen Transmisson Problem

Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont

>Hi,

I am at a loss, not sure what to do so I will ask for help.

Last night while turning a few pens I ran into a problem with a Mt Blanc pen. I turned a nice green acrylic pen blank and assembled the pen, but..once the transmisson was pressed in it would not turn. I tried to gently get it to twist with the aid of piece of leather and a Jorg clamp, but no luck. I am wondering if there is a way to extract this part for the pen without damaging the pen, I would hate to loose not just the pen kit, but the pen blank as well.

I have throught about drilling it out but I am afraid I will really make a mess of things,

Any advice is appreciated,

take care,

Jim

Re: Pen Transmisson Problem

#2

Re: Pen Transmisson Problem

Ken Platt (Granby, CT)

>Jim, I read a tip awhile back for removing the pen twist mechanism. Haven't tried it yet. You make a sort of custom clamp for the mechanism by drilling a hole in a scrap which is just smaller than the mechanism, then make a cut through the hole so you can clamp it onto the twist mechanism. Using a little piece of whatever to protect the top of the pen, you can lever out the twist mechanism with a screwdriver or catspaw or whatever levering device you can find.

Sounds reasonable, but I really wonder whether it's possible to not chew up the top of the lower pen portion, so I haven't tried it yet although I have a pen on which I pushed the transmission in too far.

Hope this helps.

Ken

Re: Pen Transmisson Problem

#3

Re: Pen Transmisson Problem

Fred in NC

>This is how I do it, it works for any Cross compatible pen (7 mm tube):

I use a piece of 1/8" brass rod. This fits through the transmission (twisting mechanism).

A wadded cloth or shallow cardboard box goes on the table, to catch the tip. I hold the barrel in my left fist real tight, and put the brass rod inside the pen. I pund it hard with a hammer. This pushes out the tip.

To push out the transmission, I use a four inch 1/4" bolt. The ones I get are a loose fit inside a 7mm tube, but you might need to sand it because cheap bolts sometimes have ridges on them.

Same thing again, hold the barrel tight in your left fist, and pound on the bolt.

I have done this many times with no damage to any of the parts.

Re: Pen Transmisson Problem

#4

Re: Pen Transmisson Problem

EagleS.C.

>My guess is you have a little glue in the tube or the transmission is already extended.(DAMHIKT)

I used to use a long thind brass rod from the plumbing section of a REAL hardware store.(It's a component used witht he olf style ball floats,

Hammering process is the same.

Now I push the transmission in farther and use a long punch I bought at HF to "whack out" nib.

An easier way to get the transmission out is once you get the nib off use a small block of wood with a hole in it that's larger than the transmission but smaller than the barrel.

Slide the "nib" end on your mandrel and slip the block of wood over the transmission.

Move the tail stock up to the block of wood and lock it down.

Advaance the live center and it will press out the transmission.

You could also rig up your press, or drill press to do this.