Making a BOLT ACTION Pen || INHERITANCE MACHINING
TLDRIn this inspiring story, the narrator reminisces about crafting personalized metal gifts during college, highlighting the creation of a bolt-action ballpoint pen for his now father-in-law. With meticulous attention to detail, he revisits the project years later, refining the design and machining process to produce a pen that's not only a functional piece of art but also a cherished family heirloom. The video is a testament to the blend of craftsmanship, nostalgia, and the joy of creating something truly unique and meaningful.
Takeaways
- 🎁 The story begins with a college student who, on a tight budget, machines personalized metal gifts for his girlfriend's family for Christmas.
- 🖋️ The most cherished gift was a bolt-action ballpoint pen with a copper finish, made for the father, which leaves a lasting impression and leads to the student eventually marrying the girlfriend.
- 🔄 Years later, the man decides to recreate the pen, using the original drawings and improving upon the design with better drafting and machining techniques.
- 🔩 The pen's design features two main copper parts: the grip and the barrel, with precise internal diameters to accommodate the ink cartridge, ball tip, and spring.
- 🔧 The pen's unique bolt-action mechanism is highlighted, with the ink cartridge captured by a stainless steel bolt and a small bolt handle engaging with a J-slot in the barrel.
- 💡 The maker's attention to detail is evident in his efforts to balance the pen's weight by shortening the bolt and hollowing out the end to reduce mass.
- 🛠️ The machining process is meticulous, with the maker using a variety of tools and techniques, including a lathe, mill, and rotary chuck adapter, to create the pen's intricate parts.
- 🔨 A significant challenge arises when a high-speed steel drill tip breaks off in the copper barrel, necessitating a remake of the part and a reminder of the importance of lubrication.
- 🔧 The bolt mechanism is crafted from 410 stainless steel for its wear resistance, hardness, and compatibility with copper to prevent galling and corrosion.
- 📐 The clip is made from stainless steel sheet, work-hardened by peening to increase its strength and flexibility, and then shaped and attached to the pen.
- 🎉 The final pen is a success, with smooth operation and a satisfying bolt action. It's a unique, high-quality piece that the maker intends to pass down through generations.
Q & A
What was the speaker's profession during college?
-The speaker was working part-time at a campus machine shop during college.
What type of gifts did the speaker make for his then-girlfriend's family?
-The speaker machined gifts from bits of metal he found around the shop, including a bolt action ballpoint pen for his girlfriend's father.
What is special about the bolt action ballpoint pen the speaker made?
-The bolt action ballpoint pen is special because it has a buttery smooth action, a beautiful copper finish, and the speaker even made a leather case for it.
How did the speaker's homemade gifts impact his relationship with his wife's family?
-The homemade gifts made a good impression, which contributed to his now wife being impressed and the positive relationship with her family.
What is the speaker's goal in revisiting the pen project?
-The speaker's goal in revisiting the pen project is to make a similar pen for himself, improving the design and making the drawings look more professional.
What materials are used for the two outer parts of the pen?
-The two outer parts of the pen are made from copper C110.
How does the speaker ensure the joint between the grip and the barrel is invisible?
-The speaker ensures the joint is invisible by machining the two parts just right so that when they are put together, the joint disappears completely.
What is the significance of the J-shaped slot in the design of the pen?
-The J-shaped slot is for the bolt action feature of the pen, which captures the end of the ink cartridge with a stainless steel bolt.
How does the speaker plan to address the weight imbalance in the pen?
-The speaker plans to address the weight imbalance by shortening the bolt and hollowing out some of the material on the end to reduce its overall mass.
What is unique about the clip-making process in this project?
-The unique aspect of the clip-making process is that the speaker works hardens the stainless steel by peening it with a ball peen hammer to increase its yield strength and give it a hammered finish.
What is the speaker's final assessment of the pen project?
-The speaker's final assessment is that the project went well, with only one slight hiccup and one side project, and he is pleased to have a unique and quality pen of his own to enjoy and potentially pass down to future generations.
Outlines
🎓 College Memories and Handcrafted Gifts
The speaker reminisces about a Christmas spent with his then-girlfriend's family during college. Despite being on a tight budget, he handcrafted gifts for them using metal scraps from his part-time job at a machine shop. His favorite creation was a bolt action ballpoint pen made for his girlfriend's father, which left a lasting impression and contributed to their relationship blossoming into marriage. The pen remains a cherished memory, and the speaker expresses his desire to recreate it, using original drawings and improved techniques.
🛠️ Machining the Bolt Action Ballpoint Pen
The speaker dives into the technical aspects of remaking the bolt action ballpoint pen. He details the materials and design features, including the copper grip and barrel, the invisible joint between the two parts, and the special J-shaped slot for the bolt action mechanism. He also discusses the challenges of machining copper, such as its sticky nature, and the importance of lubrication during the process. The speaker's goal is to refine the design and improve the pen's weight balance, ensuring a professional finish.
💡 Overcoming Challenges and Improvisation
The speaker encounters a significant setback when a high-speed steel drill bit breaks off inside the copper barrel, forcing him to remake the part. Despite this, he remains optimistic, noting that re-machining is often faster due to familiarity with the process. He also discusses the need to compromise on the pen's final diameter to ensure a seamless parting line. The speaker's resourcefulness is highlighted as he improvises with available tools and techniques, including the use of a rotary chuck adapter for the first time, to achieve the desired features.
🖋️ Completing the Bolt Action Mechanism and Pen Assembly
The speaker successfully completes the bolt action mechanism, including the stainless steel bolt and lever, and tests the pen's functionality. He expresses satisfaction with the smooth operation of the bolt action and the pen's ability to conceal the ball point when retracted. The speaker then moves on to crafting the pen clip from stainless steel, hardening it by peening, and bending it to match the pen's profile. He appreciates the contrast between the handcrafted clip and the precisely machined body of the pen. After a thorough cleaning, the speaker reflects on the project's success and looks forward to passing the pen down to future generations.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡machining
💡bolt action
💡ballpoint pen
💡copper C110
💡stainless steel 410
💡invisible joint
💡threading
💡live center
💡rotary chuck adapter
💡work hardening
💡inking cartridge
Highlights
The speaker's personal story of gifting a bolt action ballpoint pen to his now father-in-law, which he machined himself.
The bolt action ballpoint pen was made from copper and featured a buttery smooth action and a leather case.
The speaker's girlfriend at the time is now his wife, and the pen remains a cherished item.
The speaker is revisiting the project after eight years, using original machining drawings for reference.
The pen's design includes an invisible joint between the grip and barrel, achieved by precise machining.
The bolt action mechanism is a key feature of the pen, captured by a stainless steel bolt with a tiny handle.
The speaker plans to improve the original design by shortening the bolt and hollowing out the end to balance the pen's weight.
The pen's clip is made from stainless steel and hardened by peening with a ball peen hammer for added durability.
The machining process involves using a lathe and a mill, with special attention to lubrication and material properties.
The speaker uses a rotary chuck adapter for the first time to mill the J-slot for the bolt action and the clip mounting area.
A mistake during drilling leads to the need to remake parts of the pen, highlighting the importance of precision and patience in machining.
The final assembly of the pen is tested for functionality, with the bolt action mechanism working smoothly.
The speaker expresses satisfaction with the pen's operation and appearance, considering it a unique and quality item to pass down.
The project showcases the speaker's skill in machining and his ability to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing item.
The process of making the pen involves several complex steps, including turning, threading, drilling, reaming, and milling.
The speaker's meticulous approach to machining and design is evident in the attention to detail throughout the project.
Transcripts
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