What am I doing wrong.

[Dennis McGarry]

Heres the issue.

I am starting out using only slim line kits, figure it would be easier that way. Now I am turning the barrels down to where they are flush with the bushings. Not even a fingernail grabs them.

When I put the pen together the center band is smaller then the barrel. Smaller that a fingernail will grab it no problem.

Now am I doing something wrong or is it the kit? They are the Gold Solid Slip cobalts from WC and the pen/pencil bushings from them as well.

Thanks in advance.

[Bill O'Conner]

How many pens have you done with the bushing? I'd say you sanded the bushing down over time and that they are now smaller than they used to be

Bill

[John Fricke]

Are you sure you have the proper bushing kit for the pen kit you are turning? Are you sanding them to a smaller diameter?...just a couple of thoughts.....could be chinese quality control issues also

[Don Carter]

Dennis:
Measure the center band with a caliper and make your barrels fit the hardware. Sometimes the bushings are just not that precise. With the calipers you can make it fit.

[Dennis McGarry]

Ok will get the calipers and try that. (Great excuse to get another tool sooner!!)


I have only made 5 pens so far with them. According to the WC catalog, they are the right bushings.

[Tim Cleveland]

I used to use the WC slimlines and the center band doesn't fit the twist mechanism very well, there is a little bit of play making the wood feel proud of the center band on one side and too small on the other. I found that wrapping the twist mechanism once or twice with tape right underneath where the center band goes makes it fit quite snugly and is flush with the wood.

Tim

[Dennis McGarry]

I used to use the WC slimlines and the center band doesn't fit the twist mechanism very well, there is a little bit of play making the wood feel proud of the center band on one side and too small on the other. I found that wrapping the twist mechanism once or twice with tape right underneath where the center band goes makes it fit quite snugly and is flush with the wood.

Tim

I will try that on one of these, if that is the case, I dont think I will use the ones from wc anymore.

Thanks for the tip