new challenge

hi all, i was thinking ( dangerous occupation for me ), i know there are some very nice pen kits available, but i feel somewhat of a cheat...as in, the kits are pre made, some blanks are pre made so all i do is make it all fit together, if you see what i mean...im probly not wording this very well and im not disrespecting anything or any body cos i see all these beautiful creations on here....what im trying (badly) to get at is, i would like to make a whole pen and not use a kit, apart from the nib bit of course..is this something a relative newbie could or should have a bash at, are there any specific tools required and are there any types of material not recommended for it...all advice gratefully received...

Yes it is possibly but some of the equipment can be quite expensive but once got then not too bad. The taps and dies are one thing especially if looking at double and triple start ones

Hi Nigel,
Go onto Beaufortink site, the taps, dies and some other items needed to make kitless pens are there. Also, instructions on how to make a kitless pens are on the internet. Someone might even contact you via this forum to help.
Kelvin

To start out without spending a lot you can start with a capped ballpoint or rollerball. Then you only need to buy single thread taps and dies for the section to barrel and barrel to cap threads. You'll need the drill bits to work up to the different diameters for the refill tip, spring, refill bodily diameter cap threads etc, some of which you may already have. Measure up the components of kit pens and production pens for the sizes and lengths to drill to. Cheap easily worked acrylic blanks are great to start with as a few failures along the way are to be expected. Taps and dies can be had from the usual online sellers. If you want to do a fountain pen then you'll need to get the specialized tap for the nib housing to section. Later when you have made a few and decide you want to go deeper you can get the specialized triple start taps and dies.

Pete

A while ago I did some FUN challenges, may be have a look at these first.... Jog before you run, sort of thing....
Going kitless is a process, an expensive one and before you go down that rabbit hole try some other bits...
If you still feel it's cheating you will have gained experience and be more in touch with what you need..... I hope this helps
Firstly, try stopped end turning... Making a pen with no through hole or fixtures either end,
You could turn your own end caps on through holes too

If you still feel your cheating, take a look at @ Alan morrison and his segmenting blanks. I have never done a celtic knot pen yet it's on the list, but I feel I don't have the patience
Terry Q does some fantastic serpentine blanks and all do able with minimal outlay

flexi said:

If you still feel your cheating, take a look at @ Alan morrison and his segmenting blanks. I have never done a celtic knot pen yet it's on the list, but I feel I don't have the patience
Terry Q does some fantastic serpentine blanks and all do able with minimal outlay

Click to expand...

i think "cheating" may have been too strong a term to use...i did try to delete the post but couldnt figure out how..i will, once again, take the advice offered and run with it... i dont have the equipment for celtic knots and such like but i can try the other stuff you suggested...thanks mate

I am about to take this plunge,looking forward to it as well,heaps of advice on the IAP. Good luck.