Thread: Pen Press

No but I would be interested if you do find a better deal I have just stuffed 3 pens bashing them together so I'm off to bunnies to buy a quick grip and try that but if a good deal on a press is out there I will be keen

Been a bit on the forums about these things, but your drill press is the cheapest press,as you should already have one hehe, easy to make ones can include a lever clamp toggle to do the pushing, again much more control of pressure, a vice is a poor option I think as no real control if it goes a bit sideways and you could crush the parts very easily Most of these things are a bit overpriced for what they are ,including the self centering drill vices for holding blanks for drilling .

I was going to post this a bit later in the week but since the topic it up I quickly knocked one up.

Like gawdelpus said lever clamp toggle to do the pushing is a cheap and easy option.

I imported a few of these. I use a set of two, one for the half pens and the other for assembling the full pens. I just need to glue a bit of rubber on the end of the bolt to prevent any scratching. The bolt unscrews to make the tool even more versitile.

Clamp the jig onto a vice or hold it vertically with on the vice to use like a drill press.

Timberbits.

There's a long thread about this on page 2. Here's what I've been using for nearly three years. It still works just fine and it can be used for other things as well.

I just use my woodworking vice that has timber faces on it and have never damaged a pen. Nice even pressure.

So far I have been using my Triton superjaws. I can hold the pen parts ith both hands and use my foot to lever the jaws closed, at a very controlled rate.
The only problem I have had is with european pencil kits, where there are 2 sets of tubes being inserted into each other.
I am actually looking for an arbor press, when finances allow

I use one of these
Attachment 96044
easy to make and very easy to use
the pins in the fixed end allow for quick adjustment for differing sized pens
I use a scrap piece of mdf to protect the pen parts at each end

Works for me.



Les

um bye a pen press ?, i turned up two concave hardwood plugs for the head and tail stock of my lathe and use the tail stock winder to press pens together

Originally Posted by Soren

So far I have been using my Triton superjaws. I can hold the pen parts ith both hands and use my foot to lever the jaws closed, at a very controlled rate.
The only problem I have had is with european pencil kits, where there are 2 sets of tubes being inserted into each other.
I am actually looking for an arbor press, when finances allow

Hey Great idea, I have a set of super jaws, so I won't have to buy a pen press, I will try them. Bugger broke my first pen, mmmmmm, should buy a pen press me thinks
Thanks
Willy

There are really good directions on the IAP website, in the library. There is also good instructions on the [url]www.woodturningonline.com[/url on how to make a pen press.

I vote for te Irwin, quick grip clamp.
I've done nearly 100 pens with no problems.

GC

I use my vice, have made over 100 pens, and only lost
one because I did not take care.

Just use cushioning, e.g. wood, to avoid metal to metal
contact scratching.

Allan

Originally Posted by Willy Nelson

Hope this hasn't been done to death, but I have decided I need to buy a pen press rather than smash pens together with a mallet.
I googled them and the best I can find is Aus $72
Does any know of a better or cheaper model, preferably in WA (AUS). Please PM me if you wish to keep it private

Cheers
Willy

I use my bench drill as a pen press just put a 3/4" dowel in the chuck works well and is cheap.