Jim Shaver - pen question

[Kerry in Fort Sask, AB]

After seeing your beautiful pens I ordered and put together a couple of pen kits from Craft Supplies USA. Most have turned out very nicely, but after using one of them for a little while I decided I want to try improving on the finish. I wondered if you had ever had occasion to disassemble one that you made by pressing out the pieces?

Before I try it and end up ruining the pen I want to improve on, I thought I'd check whether you had ever done it.

Thanks,
Kerry

[Barry in London]

Hi Kerry.

I've taken the kits apart before and you usually can take the top apart fine. Just drive a 1/4 inch dowel up through the pen to pop off the cap and clip. The bottom, or business end, is a different matter. You usually have to pry off the pen-holding part and, no matter how careful I've been, I always ruin it. I've seen a kit advertised for disassembling pens and pencils but have not ordered one and don't know how they work.

As for the kits, if you're getting slimlines, I've found Sheila at Pens of Color to have excellent prices and she's a great person to deal with. I love her southern accent too! I've included a link to her web site. Click on the "Shop Online Now" link when you get there.

Regards

Barry



Pens of Color (http://www.pocwoodworking.com)

[Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont.]

Hi Kerry,

Yes I have taken a few apart. I usually start with a 1/4" wood dowel, I knock out the fixed end first.

Then I take the guide bar for the size of the end mill used for that diameter ( I use the CS endmills), remove it from the cutter and reverse it in the tube so that it seats againt the remaining hardware.

I then stike the end if the guide bar and it slowly exits the rest of the pressed in hardware.

Some kits have a black plastic threaded sleeve attached to the metal hardware, so go gently. I have not ruined a kit yet, I have pulled apart about 4 Gentlemens kits and 3 Junior Gentlemens kits to date.

Thank you for your kind words about my pens.

Take care,

Jim

[Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont.]

Hi Barry,

I agree and support your commenst on POC, Shelia has been great to me over the phone. I purchjase their bowling ball pen blanks, my favorite is the red, no green, no ice, no....I like them all but the orange, of which I have a few still gathering dust.

Take care,
Jim

[Mike in Nanaimo]

The disasembler kit works great, but a dowel will do pretty well the same thing. As for Sheila, she is the best. Great service and communication. You have a problem she will stand behind it. AAAAAA### for her service.
Cheeers
Mike


http://www.islandchimes.ca

[John Haylow]

Kerry.
I was also told about the good service from Sheila at Pens of Colour. I have placed a couple of orders from her and found her to be very prompt and very helpful.

Regards,
John