Just curious

[WriteON]

We try our best to make each item a showpiece regardless if it's for sale or a free gift. Just how we are. Do it right. However not everything comes out right and if it's for sale it's not getting sold. I made nice pen for a gift...the tip would look better if it came out a little more. I'm tempted to disassemble the shorten the blank a little... and then WTH... it's a freebie why tamper with the possibility of ruining it. The question...how far do you go..or stop.

 

[mark james]

A freebie, a cosmetic touch-up... Not worth the effort or the risk if it is visually fine and fully functional. A meaningful gift, OK, maybe a touch-up. JMO.

 

[jttheclockman]

We try our best to make each item a showpiece regardless if it's for sale or a free gift. Just how we are. Do it right. However not everything comes out right and if it's for sale it's not getting sold. I made nice pen for a gift...the tip would look better if it came out a little more. I'm tempted to disassemble the shorten the blank a little... and then WTH... it's a freebie why tamper with the possibility of ruining it. The question...how far do you go..or stop.

It all depends. At times we are our own worse critics so the fix you propose will it solve the problem as you said? Is there another way like adding a piece inside the cap to extend the refill?

To answer your original question you must ask yourself another question. What if the person you gifted the pen to, shows it to someone else and they become interested but question the flaws? My flawed pens do not leave my possession and I just use as either a desk pen or a carry pen. Even when I gift a pen I make it to the best of my ability. It is just the way I am.

 

[leehljp]

I don't make a lot of pens, but when one doesn't turn out like I imagine how it should, I turn the blank off the tube and start over, or just save the tube(s) for later. If it doesn't look perfect in fit, finish and style/aesthetics to me, I'm not selling it or giving it away.

 

[Kenny Durrant]

I, as well as others, always strive to do my best. I also know I'm not as talented as others. That being said if that's the best I can do than I'm ok with it. If something isn't quite right then it depends on the issue. If it's something like you describe and it works properly I'd let it go and try to pay closer attention on the next one. John T. has a valid point. I have a friend that's not as picky as I am. I was experimenting with a new to me material and was tossing blanks like they were going out of style. My friend saw me and told me not to throw anything away until he looked at it. He ended up with several blanks and turned and pressed them together. I saw the pens in a display box he had them in and I could see several flaws. I told him to disassemble them and let me make him some better ones. He declined as he was happy with what he had. I felt bad because he spent time and money on blanks that should've been tossed. Now if he sees something he likes I make sure to give him a good one. In the back of mind I see him showing off his pens and mentioning my name. I just hope he tells them I was experimenting with those and he didn't want to trash them.

 

[WriteON]

It all depends. At times we are our own worse critics so the fix you propose will it solve the problem as you said? Is there another way like adding a piece inside the cap to extend the refill?

Yes...to adding. And if a touch too long I'll sand off the little nib on the refill end ...and I'll explain that to the recipient.
The pens that get freebee gifted for fundraiser/gift baskets... I'll never send out a dud... I do not want anyone involved to hear any complaints about it.

To answer your original question you must ask yourself another question. What if the person you gifted the pen to, shows it to someone else and they become interested but question the flaws? My flawed pens do not leave my possession and I just use as either a desk pen or a carry pen. Even when I gift a pen I make it to the best of my ability. It is just the way I am.

Would not release anything with a noticeable flaw. Adding to that I was dental technician... If I saw a flaw on an appliance so did the dentist. I learned early never send anything out that can be criticized. Especially if it's the livelihood.

 

[WriteON]

It all depends. At times we are our own worse critics so the fix you propose will it solve the problem as you said? Is there another way like adding a piece inside the cap to extend the refill?

Yes to adding to extend. And sanding the nib off the end if the refill is too long. Would not release anything with a noticeable flaw. Adding to that I was dental technician... If I saw a flaw on an appliance so did the dentist. I learned early never send anything out that can be criticized. Especially if it's the livelihood. Nothing I do is for sale but like to produce a quality sellable product. If they are gifted to charitable fund raisers I want them to come out right...would not want a bid winner or buyer having to complain about anything.
Thanks for all replies. The goal is knowing when stop. Sometimes I did not quit when I should have ....and messed the piece up... and bawled myself out.

 

[bsshog40]

Most times I can fix flaws that only I will see. Those do not bother me as much. But it has been proven to me in the past that family members will take anything I make no matter how flawed. LMAO

 

[WriteON]

Most times I can fix flaws that only I will see. Those do not bother me as much. But it has been proven to me in the past that family members will take anything I make no matter how flawed. LMAO

My jeweler showed me a gifted pen someone gave her... the tip stuck out way too much when retracted. That is a poor giveaway. I would have shortened the refill and left it in the garage or shop.

 

[TonyL]

I have permanently extended the plunger/twist with UV resin. Works great! I have also shortened the plunger/twist slightly.

 

[WriteON]

I have permanently extended the plunger/twist with UV resin.

Are you inserting a trimmed piece or can it be fixed/attached to the plunger somehow? I have the white extensions but cannot trim a tiny piece from it.

Works great! I have also shortened the plunger/twist slightly.

My compliments how you handle fixes

 

[leehljp]

I need to amend my answer. Occasionally my family over ride my decisions, and with them I am a softie!

 

[TonyL]

Are you inserting a trimmed piece or can it be fixed/attached to the plunger somehow? I have the white extensions but cannot trim a tiny piece from it.


My compliments how you handle fixes

I add it to the metal plunger end of a schmidt click or the plastic or brass twist end od a twist mechanism. I use Solarez thin hard formula with their blue light/torch. i place a dot on top of the plunger, cure test, snd sand or grind to the right height.

 

[WriteON]

I add it to the metal plunger end of a schmidt click or the plastic or brass twist end od a twist mechanism. I use Solarez thin hard formula with their blue light/torch. i place a dot on top of the plunger, cure test, snd sand or grind to the right height.

Thanks Tony...

 

[TonyL]

Thanks Tony...

Just give me a call if you want me to explain. Do you still have my number? I will DM you.

 

[WriteON]

Just give me a call if you want me to explain. Do you still have my number? I will DM you.

I certainly will call you.. yes I have your number ...it's on speed dial. I always enjoy the chat...thanks for all you share.... Can I say thank you with a pen .... or if I have a kit (or anything) you need for a project you're welcome to it.

 

[TonyL]

I certainly will call you.. yes I have your number ...it's on speed dial. I always enjoy the chat...thanks for all you share.... Can I say thank you with a pen .... or if I have a kit (or anything) you need for a project you're welcome to it.

Sounds good. I have plenty of everything - thank you though. I need to use-up what I have.

 

[WriteON]

Needed more tip. Thought the chuck/sanding disc might work but the twist kept slipping. I did not want to make the jaws any tighter so I hand held the twist and knocked off a tad. Worked liked a champ instead of shortening the blank or trying to extend the refill.

 

[monophoto]

My opinion - if you are selling something, you want it to be the best you can do. And if stuff happens, then that product is not saleable

But that leads to a different question - should the defective item just go to scrap (the burn box), or is there any value in trying to salvage it? I'm not in this game to sell stuff, so my motivations may be different from others, but when I conclude that the thing I made is a dud, I usually try to salvage it. There are two reasons. One is economy - I have invested a certain amount of time and expense in getting to that point, and I'm naturally cheap and reluctant to just discard it. But more importantly, salvaging the defective item may teach me new skills that I can to apply to a future project project.

Over the last couple of days, I've been making scoops from a chunk of kiln-dried birch that was being discarded by a nearby commercial treenwork factory because it had some defects - basically a split (birch is notorious for splitting). The first blank I cut was defect-free, but there was an obvious split in the next blank. I took some time to open the split, saturate the broken surfaces with PVA glue, and clamp it back together; I also planned the turning so that the repaired split would be turned away when making the scoop. And that worked. But what I didn't know is that there was a second split (an 'occult fault') that only showed up after I had turned the scoop. So I had to improvise - fortunately, I was able to use a little CA repair the flaw, and after finishing, its not longer detectable. So I learned something from the experience.

 

[WriteON]

And another oops moment...top segment is upside down. (I'm losing it folks).. Still going with it. It's now a rare 1 off...I'm on a billiard forum ... a moderator/member held a drawing for 2 items . Mine is one of them. 100% of the proceeds went to a charity/ foundation that helps people in need from last 2 hurricanes.

 

[GFHWoodWerks]

Pleasant oops. It looks good regardless.