Seeking Apollo Kit Tips

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egnald

egnald

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Jun 9, 2017
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Columbus, Nebraska, USA
Hi all,
I have an Apollo starter set on order along with a step drill set from Rick Herrell. I am planning on using some blanks that might have some translucent areas. Do I need to paint the blanks after drilling or is it OK to see the Apollo inserts through the translucent sreas?

Other tips are also welcome.

Regards,
Dave
 
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I recommend painting the insides of the drilled holes.

Not because the Apollo kit parts might be unsightly, but because that isn't what is visible from the outside of the pen barrel - what you see first is the glue that holds the parts in the drilled hole, and glue can be seriously ugly.
 
I've never had a problem without painting Apollo blanks & clear JB weld epoxy cured at least a day.

The stepped drill can get HOT very quickly. Slow & frequent cooling with wet rag. DAMHIKT.

Be careful, watch the cap insert because it can have a habit of 'jacking' itself out of the blank even with the hole drilled into the end.

Download instructions & the separate helpful hints files.
 
I use the JB Weld and it works good. Never had a problem with it coming loose.

Rixstix is correct, very slow and keep backing out with the stepped drill. For some reason it gets real hot real fast fast, but they work great.

I always drilled holes in the cap insert on the older models. The new ones have a air hole in the csp insert and it works great.

I agree, dowload Kate's tip video it is very helpful. You can also message Kate and she is really helpful and will answer all your questions.

Good luck! Lets see pics when done.
 
OK what am I missing here. You people are talking like this is a special kit of some kind. Is it?? Any translucent blank does not really look good with brass tube showing through. I would paint inside of blank. Maybe I am missing something so please enlighten me.
 
jttheclockman said:
OK what am I missing here. You people are talking like this is a special kit of some kind. Is it?? Any translucent blank does not really look good with brass tube showing through. I would paint inside of blank. Maybe I am missing something so please enlighten me.
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Hi JT,
The Apollo kits are sort of a hybrid between the brass tube kits and the kitless style. They don't have tubes but do have some inserts that provide the threads between the cap and body of the pen. I kind of think of it like an extended fountain pen section that is already threaded and a threaded insert for the cap. My gut feeling is that I need to paint the inside, but since I have never made any of this hybrid style I thought I would look for input from the folks that have. - Dave
 
Dave and everyone else in this thread - I am not as active on IAP as I am on Facebook but I'm always happy to answer questions and help any way I can!

And to answer the question - I'd paint the inside of the blank especially on the cap
 
KateHarrow said:
Dave and everyone else in this thread - I am not as active on IAP as I am on Facebook but I'm always happy to answer questions and help any way I can!

And to answer the question - I'd paint the inside of the blank especially on the cap
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Thanks Kate,

Bob Blanford (video from Mike a few posts back) is a wonderful asset and mentor. It was actually his last Friday video on his RJBWoodturner channel that tipped the scale and made me decide to spend my allowance on your kits (and a set of step drills from Rick Herrell).

Regards,
Dave
 
Last edited:
Dave,
Here are some Apollo Rollers I recently made. I really like these.
 

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