Always touch-up the ends of the pen barrels with the Trimmer before assembling the pen. This will smooth the ends of the barrels and remove any excess finish. Sometimes the wood has been compressed slightly when it was clamped on the mandrel. Using the trimmer will cut the brass tube back to flush with the wood.
There are a lot of ways to press the pens together. This is one of the tools that I use. It is made of wood, and available from Hut Products for about $40. The plunger is activated in a straight line by the handle. Penn-State has a metal version that is similar in operation.
Some folks use an Arbor Press. A drill-press works well. We could also use a bench vise or a quick-action clamp.
Determine which end of which pen barrel will be the tip.
Insert the tip into the brass tube. Place it in the press and push it in until it is seated.
If the tip is loose in the brass tube, we should use an adhesive to hold it in place. An epoxy is the best because the excess can be easily removed. Use very little.
An excellent epoxy for holding pens togther is the Red (colored) Locktite that is used for seating bearings. This is an epoxy that cures in the absence of air, and works well for making pens. Any excess is easily removed with a cloth that is damp with Isopropyl Alcohol.
Insert the twist mechanism in the other end of the barrel from the tip. Use the press to push it into the barrel, stopping at the ring.
This location will be slightly long, but better long than too short. We don't want to disassemble the pen.
Insert the pen refill. It screws into the twist mechanism. Check that everything works. Observe how far the point protrudes out of the pen.
Go back to the Press and squeeze the twist mechanism farther into the barrel if required for proper retraction.
Check it again.
Determine which end of the other barrel will be the cap end.
Slip the cap into the hole in the clip and insert it into the cap end of the barrel. Push it in with the Press, but DO NOT seat it tightly.
Use a bit of the epoxy if it is loose in the brass tube.
Rotate the clip around the pen to where it makes the best presentation.
Hold it place and use the Press to seat the cap into place.
Admire your work.
You have just made a pen
The next Sections will describe three different pens that can be made from the same parts. Many of the steps will be the same as those for this "Slim-Line" pen, and they will be linked back to these steps where they are the same or similar.
