Thread: Bullet pen WIP

I press the assemblies into the 30-06 shell from the back end. The neck of the shell needs to be cleaned up with a round file and some wet and dry, otherwise it will score the copper projectile as it is pressed through. I use a piece of mdf with a champfered hole to press against in my bench vise.

Attachment 184314 Attachment 184315

Once they are pressed into the shell, I solder the tranny adapter to the top of the brass shell.
Here's a few done.
Attachment 184316

Next step is to give them a cut and polish, before they are taken to the powdercoater.

Ironwood.
Thanks for showing that. Very interesting. I wonder why they go to the powdercoater??
Hope you keep this wip going till they are finished. Would like to see the finished pens.
Cookie

Originally Posted by cookie48

Ironwood.
Thanks for showing that. Very interesting. I wonder why they go to the powdercoater??
Hope you keep this wip going till they are finished. Would like to see the finished pens.
Cookie

Cookie, they will get a clear powdercoat finish.
It seems to be about the toughest clear finish. I have tried lacquer, it doesnt last long, I gave the local spraypainter one a while back, he took the single-pack lacquer off, and sprayed 2-pack lacquer on his. It seems to last quite well, but still scratches easier than the powdercoat.

Very interesting. Love watching how people put things together. So much to learn and so much knowledge out there. Looking forward to the rest.

Ironwood.
Thanks for the info. Good idea.

Well done thanks for showing.

Got a little bit more done, part of the order was for a couple of the pens to have a 308 cartridge for the upper barrel.
These are the first ones I have done to suit the Sierra transmaissions, so I was just making it up as I went.
I used a few different sized brass tubes soldered together to fit the bill.

Attachment 184957

Starting from the left is 3/8 tube, this clears the Sierra tranny adapter, then is 11/32, next is 8mm tube, this is the bit that slides onto the Sierra tranny so it can be turned in and out, next is a piece of 8mm copper tube which is sleeved with 7mm tube for the finial cap to press into. Overall length is the same as a 308 cartridge.
It doesnt look real pretty, but once they are pressed into the 308 cartridge, you cant see this bit.

Bugger, looks a lot of work ,reminds me of a Designer fountain pen tube has three steps and a step drill so that it is very small on the end of the pen . Another way to do this is to fill the cartridge with either resin or epoxy , then drill it out to take the 8 mm tube for the activator mechanism and clearance for the rest of the activator , The casing supports the acrylic or epoxy .Probably as many ways to do this as skin a cat though hehe, cheers ~ John

I did think about filling with resin or epoxy, as that would be a lot simpler than the way I went about it. But I didnt think it would handle the temperature of the powdercoating oven, so I took the safe but harder approach.
I am doing these ones because I agreed to supply them in the order, and have taken a deposit. But I think they will be my last ones, as the work involved isnt compensated by the price of the finished pen.
Once I get my metal lathe up and running, I might find an easier way to do it. I still think these will be my last ones though.

Yep often happens with me to! I am currently doing .50 calibre with real projectiles , using either cigar parts or sierra parts so I can use parker refills. I do .308 with a sierra activater that screws into a tapped hole in the shell casing to suit. All these things take more time than they are worth lol, but that is not always the point as we challenge ourselves , Cheers ~ John

I think we are glutons for punishment at times

Looking really good - waiting to see the final product,

They are a lot of work. Still looking forward to the finished product.