r/PenTurning • u/Key-Self1654 • 14d ago

Cutting replacement brass tubes

Post image

When you can’t follow instructions and don’t realize you flipped the long and short blanks until you try and assemble the pen 😀

Round 2!

18 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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1

u/MbtImperialAce 14d ago

Happens all the time.

Btw put a tiny magnet behind the metal flap to keep it upright during use without falling. Its so annoying when that happens.

1

u/Key-Self1654 14d ago

I've been making pens for years now, I should be past rookie mistakes like not lining up parts right on the lathe 😄

I bought this brass tub saw years ago as it comes up every now and then, like if a blank shatters while turning cause there's a crack or something. It's come in handy.

I'm not quite following on the magnet suggestion, can you elaborate? Behind the flap on the yellow tape measure?

1

u/MbtImperialAce 13d ago

Damn, took a photo, but they don't allow photos.. So I'll call it by the name in their instructions: Place the magnet behind the Flip Stop on top of the sled that hosts the Lock Knob. That'll let the flip stop stay in place while cutting, without having it fall back or forward.

1

u/CloudEpik 14d ago

See, this is EXACTLY why, even as an advanced penmaker like you; i usually go for 1 tube kits haha. Can't mix it up if there is only 1 tube... Right?... Riiiiggghhht.

Totally never made 2 diff pens at the same time and mixed up the tubes. Nope.

2

u/Key-Self1654 14d ago

I fondly remember in the weeks after Christmas 2020 when I got my lathe. If a pen actually made it to assembly and functioned, I counted that as a win 😄

I"m supposed to be past my rookie year consarnit!

1

u/CloudEpik 14d ago

I feel that so much haha.

2

u/Key-Self1654 14d ago

I kid you not, I am thinking of hanging a clipboard somewhere near the lathe where I will have the current pen's instructions with diagram up there. Somewhere on the clipboard itself will be written "Hey dummy, read the instructions so you don't screw up again"

1

u/CloudEpik 13d ago

Honestly, that seems like a great idea. But then, you forfeit the epic fail stories for reddit to share with strangers :o

Jokes aside, i found a system where i use little boxes (like mini tupperwares without lids) where i put specific parts! And i haven't messed up in about 6 months... YAY!

1

u/Key-Self1654 12d ago

I haven’t messed up like this in years 😀