Trying to make a pen, looking for advise.

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#1

My wife collects fountain pens and I thought it might be fun to make her a pen out of carbon fiber. Her birthday is coming up in March so I want to get started. I am not totally sure how I will do it at this point but thought I would post and see what others on the board think.

I bought a new pen which I would like to mold from, it has a female shape and is a pretty good brand. I can then turn around and use the internals.

Here is a picture of the pen I want to copy.

My plan is to make a mold of the pen with the cap on (second picture). I thought I could just make a mold of half the pen. I would mold the half that doesn’t have the pocket clip. Then I could make 2 parts from the mold and put them together. At that point I could have the pen shell. I am not positive but I believe I can remove the silver caps on the end and install them on my pen. I would then cut the case that I made so I have a base and a cap. I can then make threads where the fountain pen internals can screw into (the black part with the nib in the first picture).

That is my thought so far. My big concern is making the outer shell. After that I believe I have it under control.

I hope this make sense… let me know your thoughts!

Thanks,

Daniel

#2

Oh man…this is not easy bro…so small, I myself have never made anything this small before, I have a friend who does this kind of stuff though and I can ask how he does it. From the one time I was at his shop and saw his crew making them, he used a complete replica of the pen but it was made in aluminum. It was solid and had extensions on the end of it, basically as the flange. He would slip QISO carbon (shoe-lace sock like) carbon over the form, drop it in the mould, also aluminum (which was 50-up, he had 50 of these aluminum inserts) and infuse the entire thing RTM (upper and lower mould halfs), he had an infusion system which pumped the resin in under pressure.

This doesn’t help you I know, but, more experienced guys than me on making things this small would have to chime in, I am not sure making a mould and doing this traditional will provide the results you’re after…flanging it in half and gluing it together will not be easy.

Maybe just buy some of the QISO carbon and overlay it is your best solution in my opinion, plus she’ll never know and you’re score some points!! :smiley: The QISO sock carbon will slip right over it and no linear seams

#3

That’s small I think using 1k carbon 60 grams it’s a real tight weave,ask for a sample to try.

#4

That’s no problem. You will need a two piece mold. Slide a carbon braided sleeve over a bladder and inflate to press it into position. Since the internal surface area is so small you could make the mold via Plastic Faced Plaster (PFP) method. I would reinforce the plaster with a few lengths sisal rope from the hardware store.

#5

dp look up pen turning on YouTube then eBay for kits they are only a couple of $'s you need only make the body and lid then.

For a one off I think I would go down the lost wax method to make the pen. Find a wax candle the right size, carve out the shape you want but slightly smaller and wrap with several layers or use braided sleeve . Let it cure then POST CURE then drill out the main part of the wax body then melt out the rest in some hot water in a pot. Finish the carbon with cyanoacrylate/super glue. Size it to fit which ever kit you like the look of.

Alternatively use a some casting resin or dipping latex to make the mould of your pen, melt wax and cast a pen shaped candle and overlay.

#6

Thanks everyone. Ill look into these solutions. I am hoping it is possible and would really prefer to make it the way I am use to making parts.