Double Twist Pen Question

Re: Double Twist Pen Question

Fred in NC

>Steve, it has not happened to me, but I have heard about that problem before. A couple questions:

How did you push the mechanism (trasmission) into the barrel?

Are you sure there was no glue inside that end of the barrel?

Re: Double Twist Pen Question

Carole in VA

>Don't know which kit you are using, but are you sure you are are putting the respective parts into the right barrels? On the kit I use (one barrel is longer), if you do that by mistake it's a no go!

Re: Double Twist Pen Question

Fred in NC

>I rather suspect one of the causes:

1. There was glue inside the tube where the mechanism goes in. Too much pressure had to be put on the mechanism to push it inside the tube.

2. The mechanism did not go in straight, and the twisting part is tight against the inside of the brass tube. This can easily happen when using a vice to push it in. It is very hard to keep it all straight, especially with glue inside the tube as in No. 1 above.

3. Glue was used to secure the mechanism to the tube. The silver part was glued to the brass ring or the tube, or both.

4. The mechanism went in too far, and was pulled out with pliers or similar tool, thus damaging it.

The brass part of the mechanism is a tight fit inside the tube. The silver part, which is slightly smaller in diameter, needs to rotate to activate the mechanism.

The length of the tubes is not very important, I routinely make pens from tubes that I cut myself from 10" lengths. All that is needed is part of the mechanism to fit in the upper barrel.

After gluing the tubes and squaring the ends, I use a homemade tool to clean the inside. The tool is a "D" size drill bit, which by the way was old and not very sharp. I put a wood handle in it. It is a snug fit inside the tube, since it is approximately the same diameter as the mandrel. After using the tool, I blow away any dust inside the tube.

Of course, it is possible the mechanism was bad to start with .. .. ..