Axminster Euro Twist Pen Kits User manual

Euro Twist Pen Kits Booklet
Turning Pens
Instructions
www.axminster.co.uk

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01
Index of Contents...
Pictures of the finished sample articles, in both timber and acrylic, can be found in our catalogue
in the ‘Woodturning Projects’ Section.
Below is a list of the items required to make the finished items from the purchased kits.
(Not including the body blanks). If you do not possess these items we have offered our
catalogue stock code numbers alongside the items as a quick guide. We have tried to include
everything in the list, although we realise that many woodturners will already have most of them.
Pen Mandrel (with 1MT Drive Centre) 340198
or Pen Mandrel (with 2MT Drive Centre) 340199
or Pen Mandrel (with Parallel Drive Centre)800375
60˚ Live Tail Stock Centre 1MT 340202
or 60˚ Live Tail Stock Centre 2MT 340203
or 60˚ Live Tail Stock Centre 3MT 340204
Page No.
Index of Contents............................................................................................................................................................................ 01
Instruction for Artisan European Style Twist Pen Kits................................................................................................ 01-02
Required item.......................................................................................................... 01-02
Recommended Accessories.......................................................................................02
European Style Twist Pen Kits.....................................................................................................................................................02
What’s in the Kit.............................................................................................................................................................................. 02
Preparing the Bodies..................................................................................................................................................................... 03
Turning the Bodies...................................................................................................................................................................04-05
General Assembly...............................................................................................................................................................05-06-07
Axminster Pen Mandrels...............................................................................................................................................................08
Notes............................................................................................................................................................................................... 9-10
Instruction for Artisan European Style Twist Pen Kits.
Required items
Alternatives have been listed to cater for different lathe configurations.
Safety Protection Symbols
SAFETY!!
!
The symbols shown on the cover of this
manual advise that you wear the correct
safety protection.

02
Instruction for Artisan European Style Twist Pen Kits.
Required items
Recommended Accessories
Bushing Set (4 pieces) 310381
7mm Drill Bit (we recommend the Colt Pen Drill) 702554
Axminster Barrel Trimmer 310478
2 Part Rapid Epoxy Resin Adhesive 340282
or Zap-A-Gap Adhesive (Cyanoacrylate) 990095
Quick Action Pen Blank Vice 600771
Pen Blank Sizing and Cutting Jig 600623
Axminster Pen Assembly Press 200205
Kit No. 310404 10ct European Pen Kit (A logo)
Kit No. 341096 24ct European Pen Kit
Kit No. 700149 Chrome European Pen Kit
Kit No. 500290 Satin Gold European Pen Kit
Kit No. 610198 Nickel Satin European Pen Kit
European Style Twist Pen Kits...
What’s in the Kit...
1 off Brass Tube (53mm Long) (a)
1 off
Brass Tube (60mm Long) (b)
1 off
Centre Band (c)
1 off
Pen Clip (d)
1 off
Pen Clip Securing Cap (e)
1 off
Pen Clip Cap Threaded Anchor (f)
1 off
Ballpoint End Tip (g)
1 off
Ballpoint Refill (h)
1 off Twist Mechanism (i)
a
c
d
e
f
g
b
Fig A
See Fig A
i
h

03
Preparing the Bodies...
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Using 16mm (5/8”) Square stock; cut the blanks to the length of the brass tubes
adding 2-3mm to allow for trimming.The Pen Blank Sizing and Cutting Jig makes this process
very much easier.
Drill a 7mm diameter hole through the centre of the blank. Care must be taken not to force the
drill bit, (this may cause it to ‘wander’ from the centre line), and remember to back out the drill
frequently to clear the debris from the hole. If you are using a pillar drill the Quick Action Pen
Blank Vice is a very useful accessory for this task, it ensures that the blank is held upright and
firmly in position. Moreover, if the vice is clamped to the table of the drill, it will provide accurate
repeatability for all the blanks that require drilling.
When the hole is drilled, spread the adhesive randomly over the brass tube and insert the tube
into the blank using a twisting motion to ensure the glue is spread evenly between the two
surfaces. Over insert the tube into the blank by approximately 1mm giving an allowance for the
blank to be trimmed to size and the excess glue to be removed. See Fig 1.
Warning. If you are using cyanoacrylate adhesive, exercise extreme
caution and do not allow the adhesive to come into contact with the skin.
If this happens keep the affected area from contact with any other surface,
until the glue has hardened or you can treat the area with a softening
agent similar to Zap Z-7 Debonder (Part no. 990099), and you can remove
the glue.
Allow the adhesive to dry thoroughly.
Using the Barrel Trimmer trim the ends of the blanks squarely and neatly to the ends of the brass
tubes; this will also remove any excess glue that may have exuded from the joint.Take care not to
undercut the brass tubes.
Fig 1
Blank
Brass tube
7mm
Zap Z-7
Debonder

04
Turning the Bodies...
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Slide 2 or 3 of the mandrel spacers onto the shaft. Add the Cap Bushing from the Bushing Kit.
Mount the Upper Pen Body next, then the Centre Bushing, (mount the centre bushing so that the
smaller diameter mates against the Upper Pen Body.
You may wish to mount the Dummy Centre Band Bushing onto the smaller diameter at the same
time.(See Note below). Mount the Lower Pen Body next, then the Tip Bushing.
Add mandrel bushings so that the near end of the mandrel thread is covered, (this will ensure that
the locking nut will tighten the assembly). Thread on the lock nut and do up finger tight. Check
that the arrangement on the shaft allows sufficient space/clearance to turn each end of the body;
if this is not the case, rearrange the layout of the assembly until you are satisfied. See Fig 2.
Note.The Bushing kit is supplied with a Dummy Centre Band Bushing. This is the
approximate size of the outer diameter to which the lower end of the Upper Pen Body has to
be turned, prior to cutting the shoulder. It can be slid along the smaller diameter of the
Centre Bushing to gauge a comparison diameter; it is also narrower than the actual Centre
Band, and can therefore be moved away from the turning to enable the shoulder to be cut
unimpeded. The internal diameter of the dummy centre band is the same internal diameter
as the actual Centre Band so it may be used to establish the required diameter of the
reduced journal of the Upper Pen Body. (See also Fig 4 overleaf)
Tighten the lock nut to allow the assembly to be turned without moving. Do not overtighten, this
may cause the assembly to distort? the bodies to split? strip the thread on the lock nut? etc.
Similarly do not advance the tailstock centre with too much force. The current bulk of the blanks
may be adding strength to the assembly but as the body diameters are reduced, too much force
on the mandrel may cause it to distort/bow? Turn the main body dimensions down to diameter
of the pen bushings. (and the dummy Centre Band). See Fig 3.
Fig 2
Fig 3
Mandrel spacer
Mandrel spacer
Blanks
Cap bushing Centre bushing
Morse Taper Shaft Locking nut
Live tail stock centre
Tip bushing

05
Turning the Bodies...
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Move the dummy bushing away and reduce the diameter of the lower end of the upper pen
body over a distance of 5.6mm (7/32”)to produce a ‘snug fit’ for the internal diameter of the
dummy centre band. ENSURE that the corner is SHARP. See Fig. 4
Carry out the finishing work on the bodies.
Remove the finished bodies from the pen mandrel.
General Assembly...
Fig 4
Fig 5
Upper pen body
5.6mm (7/32")
Note.The Axminster Pen Assembly Press (Part no. 200205) is a very useful accessory for these
operations, as it gives greater control over the applied force and keeps the components in line.
Put a couple of drops of glue (added security) on the Centre Band and press it on to the prepared
journal at the lower end of the Upper Pen Body. Put aside to dry.
Line up the Lower Pen Body components as shown in Fig 5. Make sure the body and the tip are
aligned and gently but firmly, press the Ballpoint End Tip home. (Force Fit) Ensure the twist
mechanism is correctly oriented and put a guide mark (fine felt tip?) 21mm (13/16”) from the
end as shown. (See Fig 6) Make sure the body and the mechanism are aligned and gently but
firmly press the twist mechanism into the body as far as the marked distance. (Force Fit)
NOTE. We suggest that the initial insertion is made ‘short’. Screw the pen refill into the
mechanism, twist to fully extend and check how much further the pen tip needs to move to
give optimum protrusion. See Fig 6. Remove the refill and carry out the required
adjustment.
Ballpoint end tip
Lower pen body
Twist mechanism
Dummy bushing
Centre bushing
Tip bushing
Cap bushing

06
General Assembly...
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Fig 6
Fig 7
Fig 8
Twist mechanism
Ballpoint refill
21mm
Line up the components for the Upper Pen Body. Ensure the Pen Clip Cap Threaded Anchor is
correctly oriented (there is a small ‘lead’ on the ‘insert’ end), and aligned with the body. Gently but
firmly press it home flush with the end of the body.(Force Fit) See Fig 7.
Insert the Pen Clip Securing Cap thread through the Pen Clip, introduce the thread into the
threaded anchor and screw home tight. Check there is no excess glue in the recess of the Centre
Band. See Fig 8.
Pen clip cap threaded anchor
Pen clip
Pen clip
securing cap

07
General Assembly...
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Refit the pen refill, ensure the two bodies are aligned See Fig 9. Press the Upper Body
Tube over the twist mechanism, and continue pressing until the upper edge of the Lower
Pen Body is housed in the recess formed by the Centre Band. (Friction Fit)
(Leave sufficient clearance between the pen bodies proper to allow a smooth twisting
action without them rubbing together. See Fig 10.
Fig 9
Fig 10
Upper body tube
Twist mechanism
Centre band
Take extra care when fitting the Upper and Lower Bodies together, i.e. careful alignment etc., as
replacement of the refill is carried out by separating the pen at the ‘friction fit joint’. Bad alignment
etc, could cause the friction fit to deteriorate over time with the subsequent loss of adhesion
allowing the pen to separate randomly.

08
Axminster Pen Mandrels...
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These mandrels are machined with either parallel or Morse taper mounting and have a shoulder to assist
with removal.They are supplied with a number of spacers for locating the pen components. See our
catalogue for details as to whether or not you will need to purchase additional bushings for the project that
you have chosen.
Pen mandrels

09
Notes...
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10
Notes...
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Axminster Devon EX13 5PH UK
FREEPHONE 0800 371822
(Euro Twist Pen Kits Booklet)
Turning Pens Instructions