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Rollerball Springs?

Jimjam66

Jimjam66

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Anyone got any idea where I might get rollerball springs from? They're the little ones that go inside the finial and put pressure on the rollerball refill to push it out of the nib. I'm going to try machining rollerball sections (on my spanking new Warco mini lathe!) but won't get far without the springs to keep the refill in tension.

The usual Yankee suspects supply them (Indy-Pen-Dance, Silverpenparts, PSI) but I don't fancy paying $20 to ship a tiny bag of springs across the pond! Any ideas?
 
Jim

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Cant help you with the springs David, but can you give us a review on the lathe when you have used it a few times please ... :thinks:
 
Jimjam66

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Jim said:
Cant help you with the springs David, but can you give us a review on the lathe when you have used it a few times please ... :thinks:
Click to expand...

Will do, Jim! First thing I did was break some teeth on the leadscrew drive gear ... Grrrrrr! Stupid doesn't quite cover it! Got a replacement today.

turnaround360 said:
David,Could these help Conical Springs - Spring Manufacturers, Suppliers and Stockists - Assoc Spring for UK Springs.
Click to expand...

Absolutely perfect, Frankie! Bit dear, though - £4 a spring?!?!? :shocking:

clumsysod said:
I'll see what I can do for you at the weekend.
Click to expand...

Thanks George, I appreciate it.
 
Jimjam66

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These mini lathes come with NO user guide (what you get is generic and fifteen years or so out of date), so I couldn't figure out what a certain tang on the end of the lead screw was for. Tightened it, turned on the lathe, heard a bang followed by some grinding ... Turns out it locks the lead screw ...

:2cry:
 
Jimjam66

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Hmmm, thanks for that link, Pete. Not what I had in mind initially, but this cartridge rollerball section might be a better idea. Ever used one? I suspect they say it doesn't work with cartridge converters because you can't draw ink up through the ball to refill it. So just disconnect the converter, refill it and then connect it again. Simples!
 
Neil

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Jimjam66 said:
Cheers Neil! Not ideal - they are ballpoint 'sleeve' springs (go over the narrow section behind the nib to ensure the refill retracts properly). But better than nothing if they're the best I can get ...

:thumbs:
Click to expand...

David - look again, they're rollerball springs! There are two different types:

Pen spring for Jr. Gentleman Pen kits For Jr. Gentlmens but may fit others Length 2..
and
Pen Springs for Gold classic elite rollerball Pen Kits For Gold Classic Elite Rollerball Pen Kit..

Regards

Neil
 
Jimjam66

Jimjam66

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Neil said:
David - look again, they're rollerball springs! There are two different types:

Pen spring for Jr. Gentleman Pen kits For Jr. Gentlmens but may fit others Length 2..
and
Pen Springs for Gold classic elite rollerball Pen Kits For Gold Classic Elite Rollerball Pen Kit..

Regards

Neil
Click to expand...

Sorry mate, had a quick glance and didn't pay enough attention! :imsorry:
 
clumsysod

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, but this cartridge rollerball section might be a better idea. Ever used one?
Click to expand...
I may have just got some from a bad batch but I bought 6 of these and every one is scratchy to write with and nothing like the usual smooth flow of a rollerball.
I speak as I find and cannot recommend them although I am open to persuasion if any body wants to send me some to try for them.
 
clumsysod

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I left one with my contact today, let's see what he can come up with.
No promises.
I know he can make them but at what cost?
 
clumsysod

clumsysod

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My contact came back to me today and has a production size which is the wider diameter without taper that has the same tensile strength.
I can have a handful approx 500No of these anytime for the price of a pint.
sp1.JPG

This is how they sit when compressed. looks a bit awkward but doesn't slip over the end of the refill so will work fine, lets face it they are not usually seen in this position.
sp2.JPG

He gave me a price for a production run with an initial tooling cost of £100 for the first 2000. Then dependent on frequency of repeat order could be as little as £10 per 1000.
I don't suppose for one minute there would be a frequent order so the tooling cost has to be swallowed up in the first 2000 sales.
Of course this is not to say the price can't be beat nor is he the only supplier but it is my contribution to your query, hope it helps.
 
T

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David try pencraft.co.uk...... allways good for odds and ends and some quality kits too from memory if you want one you can have one or more obviously Jim Kerrins and his wife are always extremely helpfull
 
Jimjam66

Jimjam66

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clumsysod said:
I can have a handful approx 500No of these anytime for the price of a pint.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good deal! I'll cover the cost of his pint AND yours!

clumsysod said:
He gave me a price for a production run with an initial tooling cost of £100 for the first 2000. Then dependent on frequency of repeat order could be as little as £10 per 1000.
Click to expand...

As you say, the likelihood of needing tens of thousands is vanishingly small, which makes the tooling cost prohibitive.

Thanks for all your efforts, George. Much appreciated!:rock:
 
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