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No Bushings

ataylor

Registered
Joined
Nov 6, 2011
Posts
1,668
Location
UK
First Name
Andy
I was talking with an old gent the other day who was also a turner for many a year, we got talking about pen making when he told me he did this many years ago, and here is me thinking it was all new. :goesred:

He said that he used to buy all his material from Craf Supplies in Derbyshire, and told me that all the pens he turned had no bushings, he either made himself a set or he turned between centers. I am pleased that the makers decided over the years to help us learners and make bushings to fit the pen kits that we make. :devil:
 

ataylor

Registered
Joined
Nov 6, 2011
Posts
1,668
Location
UK
First Name
Andy
Now that is bad, or was bad. I couldnt imagine making a pen without the bushings.
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
I have turned a few pens between centers, sierras mainly, i did turn a few others but i had a lad make me some bushings on his lathe to fit the tubes, i hope that isn't cheating. :ciggrin:

Just to add, those pens without the bushings were also from craft supplies, and that was only a couple of years ago. :nooidea:
 

Jimjam66

Chief Battonager
Registered
Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Posts
3,775
Location
Basingstoke, Hampshire
One thing I hate about the Euro kits is that the bushing for the upper barrel doesn't match the diameter required. You're supposed to put the centre band on the middle bushing and use that to turn it, but anyone who's seen me attack wood with a skew wouldn't bring a pretty, fragile, ESSENTIAL part of the pen anywhere near me! I have learned to turn down that end of the upper barrel first, using calipers, but my heart is still in my mouth every time I do one of them. Couldn't imagine producing an entire pen that way!
 

ataylor

Registered
Joined
Nov 6, 2011
Posts
1,668
Location
UK
First Name
Andy
The times i have had to throw away a blank because i have under cut where the center band fits. I dont use the provided ring anymore, i remove the barrel and keep trying the center band from the kit until i feel a tight fit. :bwink:
 

Mattyd

AKA 'The Dundee Redneck'
Graduate Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2012
Posts
583
Location
Dundee
i normally turn with callipers when fitting the centre bands.. It normally works ok for me..
 
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