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  1. 22nd November 2013, 12:46 AM #1
    Evanism
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    Default Pen press - build my own - suggestions?

    Greetings all,

    Time to get back on the tools. I've had a hiatus due to family illness....but still go and move things around.... but no work...

    Anyway! I was looking at buying a pen press to put the new pen hobby a whirl (thanks Delbs and Ilya!).... Raffle that, LET'S MAKE ONE.

    Does anyone have any great plans for a good press? Any hints or tips?

    There are a few out there that seem pretty nice, but seem to lack....mmmm, something I can't quite put my finger on.

    (btw, I know I can buy one for ~$50, but I'd very much prefer to save than spend at the moment)
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  3. 22nd November 2013, 02:46 AM #2
    Les in Red Deer
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    Don't waste your money spending $50.00 + for a fancy pen press when you can make one for less than $1.00.
    Works great for me.

    Les



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  4. 22nd November 2013, 04:13 AM #3
    SNAFU11
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    Hi mate,here is a couple of You Tube videos with Laney Shaughnessy building his pen press,fairly well explained and looks to work well...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IitGzAVFAgk
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfWvCv5kYH8

    Mick!!!
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  5. 22nd November 2013, 08:19 AM #4
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    tdrumnut
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    +1 for what Les posted, or alternatively set up a similar system using your lathe, you can even make them from scraps of hardwood instead of bolts amd delrin but either way they will outlast a shop bought one by at least a hundred years.
    Regards Rumnut.

    SimplyWoodwork
    Qld. Australia.
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  6. 22nd November 2013, 08:26 AM #5
    Evanism
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    Quote Originally Posted by SNAFU11 View Post
    Hi mate,here is a couple of You Tube videos with Laney Shaughnessy building his pen press,fairly well explained and looks to work well...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IitGzAVFAgk
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfWvCv5kYH8

    Mick!!!
    Excellent. I'll make this with 3 mods:

    - cradle to hold parts
    - longer guide brace at the back
    - repositioned hande hinge for greater travel

    Thanks for this.
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  7. 22nd November 2013, 08:47 AM #6
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    delbs
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    Les that looks so simple, such a great use for the drill press. Good stuff
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  8. 22nd November 2013, 10:27 PM #7
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    Grommett
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    Les yours is positively fancy. I just use the bolt!
    Michael

    Wood Butcher
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  9. 22nd November 2013, 11:18 PM #8
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    what would a shed be without a vice, along with some angle aluminum for soft jaws and hey presto the bits be pens
    No Result Without Effort
    Mecha Blanks now on Facebook - Miks Blanks
    Mecha Blanks now Available at Perfect Pens and Pencils
    Find me on Facebook - Pens by MIK
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  10. 23rd November 2013, 07:50 AM #9
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    I just use a sash clamp full control all the time

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    https://www.facebook.com/Simomatra-F...4268874947489/
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  11. 27th November 2013, 08:37 AM #10
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    Sawdust Maker
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    Default my effort

    Here's one I made a couple of years ago
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,     tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...
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  12. 30th November 2013, 03:27 PM #11
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    Some great ideas there and well done on posting the Video's on making to press Mick

    Cheers Ian
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  13. 30th November 2013, 10:10 PM #12
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    In all honesty, by the time you buy the timber, screws, bolts etc and mess around, it is cheaper to buy one. I used my vice for ages to press the pens and only every cracked two blanks over a long period of time but a pen press just gives you that little bit more support under the blanks and is probably worth it if you have the space to store yet another tool
    The Pen is mightier than the Sword

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