Thread: Pen instulation tool

Originally Posted by don716

I was wondering about the tool used to put pens together with.Are they really worth the money? I use clamps right now but wondered if the tool would make it faster?What brand or kind to buy? Is woodcraft a good supplier for this?

Donny

I think most of the tools are basically clamps or vices but they help you to align things
and help you be more consistent in your assembly.

Are they worth it? Well, how successful are you with your current method? Clamps can
be tricky, sometimes you need a third hand. I've been using the drill press (I put a short
piece of dowel in the drill chuck) and I use a piece of waste wood underneath. So I can
bring down the head to press the parts together. Probably very similar to using a pen
press, only vertical. It doesn't do the alignment for me, but gravity tends to align things
vertically, anyway.

If you're having a problem with assembly and the pen press is within your budget, give
it a shot. If things are going well already, why change?

Don, I use the one from Woodcraft & it makes it a lot easier than other ways. I leave it clamped to the bench. One end has a small hole to help hold the nib end, & it's easy to control the amount of pressure it takes to install the parts. I wouldn't be without it. Well worth the few bucks it cost.

don, i use my workbench vice, i have tried to use a pen press but think they are useless. but thats just me

Hey

I use one of those Irwin quick clamps, the ones where you squeeze the grip and it tightens. Its done pretty well so far.

I agree with Regulated. I use an Irwin Quick-Grip myself. The yellow rubber caps on the ends cushion the pieces so they don't get marred. Haven't had any problems yet, and I can still use them for cabinet work.
What can I say? I'm cheap!

Here's a link to a web page that has very good instructions for building a pen assembly press.
It looks very simple!

http://www.woodturningonline.com/Tur...bly_press.html

Just use a Jet sash clamp

I use a cheap drill stand from Aldi.

I use a wide jaw wood vice with soft wood on the inside of the jaws, The quick relaese allows me to slide it to the desired postion quickly, then I gently turn the handle one hand and am able to steady the blank to perfect alignment with the other hand, and i use head goggles to magnify the situation so it goes to the correct depth or placement. Amos

The Irwin Quick clamps work for me..........

I use this