Turning a 7mm Slimline Twist Pen

Available in Woodturns Store This pen kit and all of the tooling can be purchased at their website .

The 7mm slimline twist pen is one of the simplest pens to make because of the straightline turning and ease of assembly. This article will explain through diagrams and instruction on how to turn and assemble this pen.

Tooling Required

• 7mm Slimline Slimline Twist Pen Kit
• A Mandrel
• Bushing Set 1A
• J - Parabolic Drill Bit or 7mm Drill Bit
• Wood Blank 5/8" x 5/8" x 4 5/8"" (16 mm x 16 mm x 118 mm)
• Some kind of Turning Finish

Preparing the Wood Blank

1. The wood blank for this pen should be approximately 5/8" x 5/8" x 4 5/8"" (16 mm x 16 mm x 118 mm). Cut the the blanks for the brass tubes slightly longer than the tubes so that the ends can be squared off.
2. Mark the centers of the pen blank and drill with the J-Parabolic or 7mm drill bit. A Drilling Center Vice helps here to hold the blank vertical.
3. Spread glue over the brass tubes. Thick or Flexible CA (cyanoacrylate) glue is recommended. Using a twisting motion, insert the tubes into the blanks. A Pen Tube Insertion Tool can be used to insert the tubes. Allow the blanks to dry. A CA Activator can be used to speed up the drying process. Since the glue in the center of the blank isn't exposed to a lot of air flow, it's recommended to allow the pen blanks to dry at least for a few hours. Overnight is best.
4. Square the ends of the blank with either a barrel trimmer or a disk sander. To square the end on a disk sander use a Universal Pen Squaring Jig.

Mandrel Assembly

1. Insert your mandrel in the headstock of your lathe.
2. Slide the first 1A bushing, then a wood blank, another 1A bushing, the second wood blank, and another 1A bushing. If there is room left over on your mandrel you can fill it in with more 1A bushings.

Turning the Blank

• Turn your blanks to the desired shape using the bushings to determine the diameter of the ends of the blanks. Sand the blanks and apply your finish. Hut Crystal Coat is a recommended finish.

Assembling the Pen

Assembly Diagram

1. Insert the Nib into one end of one of the brass tubes.
2. Press the Twist Mechanism, threaded end out, into the other end of the same tube until the tube covers the indentation.
3. Slide the Center Ring over the Twist Mechanism.
4. Insert the Finial into the Clip and press into the other brass tube.
5. Insert Ink Refill into Twist Mechanism. Screw it down.
6. Press the two wood blanks together.

   If a vice is used for assembly, use wooden jaws.
   

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