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Space pen

Pete B

Registered
Joined
Apr 22, 2013
Posts
264
Location
Almost in Northumberland
Hi,

I have been arranging to make these on and off for a while now. This one is part of an order for 50, a numbered series by the customer.
tetrus stylus components that have a nice double twist action, schimdt refil.
Jet, stone blank lasered and paint filled. The upper barrel and clip are also engraved.
When i started i found i didn't have bushing so made some abit over size from nylon then finished between centres and vernier calipers etc.
The stylus was not used as i had to set some kapton foil that was flown in space in 1969. I was a bit terrified doing this part as there is only a limited amount available and i din't want to mess up. This part took the longest by far.
The hard part was keeping the foil central and getting the same size and shape each time.
The pic was taken before the top part was epoxiedin and appologies for crap quality pic as i forgot to set the white balance.
T and C's welcome.

Regards

Pete
11.9.14 004.jpg
 

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
Thats fantastic Pete, I too would be very nervous about playing with limited material especially that. What kit have you used?
 

Grump

Grand Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Posts
10,504
Location
Stevenage
First Name
Brian
You deserve a medal for perseverance with that task.
Not my kind pen but that don't mean it ain't good.
 

chas_41_uk

Registered
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Posts
10,034
Location
Manchester
First Name
Chas
Wow the work involved must have been phenomenal :thumbs:
I can imagine what would happen if I tried to turn jet ..... it would explode :rolling:
 

Pete B

Registered
Joined
Apr 22, 2013
Posts
264
Location
Almost in Northumberland
Hi,

there was a bit of time involved the most being the plastic.
tetra stylus kit, beartoothwoods i think it was.
They do have a clever stylus that's an alternate to silicone.
Its not jet the rock its a resin composite that was the only material the customer would accept as it was plain and not acrylic. Its quite hard but i used normal tools, sharpened more than normal perhaps every third blank.

Pete
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
I like it Pete, who did the engraving for you?

It can get a bit nervy when making a pen for a customer, but to make some with limited material must be a nightmare, kudos to you for this Pete .. :winking:
 

Pete B

Registered
Joined
Apr 22, 2013
Posts
264
Location
Almost in Northumberland
Thanks everyone.
Jim L squared lasers, the director called Mat, nice helpful bloke.
To be honest i was very nervous about the casting but Walters tip about putting the wet resin on the bandsaw worked a treat. Getting rid of the bubbles.

Regards

Pete
 

brody2123

Fellow
Joined
Feb 13, 2014
Posts
3,058
Location
redditch
First Name
Brody
An astonishing amount of time well spent pete! Bet you're making a few quid from these beauties, you deserve to!!:thumbs:
 
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