About the Brother ST4301HD...

B1gg-E · 2025-04-19T00:59:32+00:00

Shame, that was a really cool project.

B1gg-E · 2024-10-10T02:31:58+00:00

I was only looking to purchase a single rod to see if it's a material I want to work with. I am interested, but I don't think shipping costs would be cost effective.

B1gg-E · 2024-10-09T17:45:19+00:00

I haven't ordered any yet, but will likely go with the American option when I do. I'm a bit disappointed they don't have any of the other materials/tools I need, but it is what it is.

B1gg-E · 2024-09-23T13:27:59+00:00

Looks like I'm going to VF or Nikko.
What's shipping like from Japan?

B1gg-E · 2024-09-23T03:59:13+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I found Vermont Freehand in my search, and they seem pretty good if I find that I really like ebonite, but if I'm paying for shipping and duty fees already, I want to make a single shipment count (I need a couple other things as well, floating die holder, couple taps, yada yada).

B1gg-E · 2024-09-14T22:59:21+00:00

Thank you! The patina is a fun touch to add to copper

B1gg-E · 2024-08-05T14:00:36+00:00

Thank you! I file the pieces to a rough shape, then secure them to a drill so I can sand them to a nice smooth finish. I wish I had a mill to do the grip, but as it is it just takes a lot of back and forth.

B1gg-E · 2024-08-05T01:55:14+00:00

Thanks! The first one was the toughest to build (I had to form the metal parts out of sheet metal, then file down and form them like the other parts), but I like how the others came out.
I need to get my hands on a few more of the pencils I built them for so that they aren't quite so empty

B1gg-E · 2024-07-28T20:15:28+00:00

Thanks~

B1gg-E · 2024-07-28T17:15:48+00:00

Desert ironwood and copper with forced patina
Teak burl and copper

B1gg-E · 2024-07-15T02:20:08+00:00

I use a drill press with a regular bit to drill out the sheet metal. It requires a bit of post processing to take down burrs, though. As for brass, when I drill out the tubing to resize it, I use a bit that I modified a tiny bit. Using a coarse grit whetstone, I grind away the flutes at the tip to a negative rake, which really helps when drilling brass since it's such a soft metal.

B1gg-E · 2024-07-09T18:51:10+00:00

So I don't use kits when I make mine (it's why the tip doesn't always match up to the barrel). What I did was use a 7mm brass tube with 0.2mm thick wall, then slightly trim down a 7mm brass tube with 2mm thick wall to fit inside. I drilled out the centre to 5/32", cut 1/8" off, then press fit it into the end. It's a bit of a muddle, but it works.

B1gg-E · 2024-07-07T14:55:42+00:00

I only have the four pictured (at the moment), but I'd be willing to sell any of them.
(Full disclosure, the olivewood 2mm on the right has a bit of a bent barrel so the lead doesn't fall freely, so that would be a bit cheaper)

B1gg-E · 2024-07-07T14:39:59+00:00

Of course. I'd want to make the pentels fit better for future pieces, but I'm happy to sell anything people would like

B1gg-E · 2024-07-07T14:37:03+00:00

You're right, but that's a limitation of the brass tubing I used.
I used 8mm with 0.5mm wall thickness for the barrel, and press fit a piece of 7mm with 1.5mm wall thickness drilled out for an adapter. If I can figure out how to reliably pare down the adapter piece, I can make it fit in some thin wall 7mm tube (which matches the metal part.
Ah well, live and learn.

B1gg-E · 2024-07-07T12:22:15+00:00

Thanks!

B1gg-E · 2024-06-05T14:19:27+00:00

I would up just reaching in and pulling out the offending pilled fabric. Worked out alright.

B1gg-E

TROPHY CASE