I had some time this week and decided I wanted to make a pen. I wanted to be retractable. So I opted for the easiest way. A bolt type action. I scrounged the cartridge and spring from a uniball gel pen. Then proceeded to go to town. The pen will take a Parker style P900 from what I gather this is a very popular sized cartridge. So replacement will be easy. As I like to design for functionality first. My designs tend to be very simplistic. Having an abundance of aluminum rod. This became my material. If I had some brass I would have incorporated that also. I am just waiting on the small 0-80 machine screws to assemble the piston to the bolt/clip. Mind you I am not into pens in the least. After making this one. I can see how making pens could be addictive. Here are a few cat hair filled pictures of the work in progress. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
80% was done on a metal lathe. The only other machine I used was a mill to make the clip and drill and tap the 2 holes in the piston to secure the clip to. I now need to make 3 more as my wife and 2 kids want one.
Looks good! Please, for the love of baby penguins, do not start making fountain pens ('Cuz I'd be all over that.)
Indeed... sounds like a side hustle developing Everyone is going to want one of your handmade pens Tom. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Now that is funny. I will see if I have the motivation to make even more. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro