Reference for making an oblique flange

[Heebs]

That looks great, I'll post some pictures after work today hopefully.

[Heebs]

Alright, here's a quick one I just did to show how the bail pliers work. This is a normal flange with .010" brass which is the typical thickness used for these, from the resistance your flange is giving I'm guessing it might be thicker. The highest I'll go is .017" but I'll usually stick with .010" as it works very well. I usually wrap the tools in tape to prevent scratches but didn't do it here. Works well with .017" brass as well if you place a .010" scrap inside while you curve it to leave space for the nib.











Stumbling upon the bail making pliers has made everything much easier.

[Alphabetguy]

Stumbling upon the bail making pliers has made everything much easier.

I luv it Heebs. I am going to try your technique tomorrow which will save  a lot of time.

Thanks,
Alan

[Mollyebelle]

Oh my gosh you have no idea how thankful I am for this!  My father turns regular pens on a lathe and I would just treasure an oblique pen that he made, but he feels like it's uncharted territory for him. Any directions I can gather for him are helpful! 

[Alphabetguy]

Heebs,
Got the pliers and used them today. Works great. I can form a nib within a minute. Your method for making a nib is the BEST!

Alan

[AmyNeub]

I am so excited the Christmas and my birthday are coming up.

I can get a holder from Alan and Heebs.

[Traci]

Thank you for sharing! When I see all of the beautiful and expensive holders out there I thought maybe my husband could make me one. This is a great help!

[Faeleia]

Thanks for the cool post Alphabetguy! It's too many masculine things for me to own to start making my own pens but I'm sure it's definitely not as difficult as you said!

[Alphabetguy]

These recently milled pens may look like obliques but they are not. The flange is shaped and set to allow a range of nib rotation for broad edge nib lettering in italic. With this particular flange I can float the nib and push it up or back. For a straight vertical stroke I just rotate the pen to the opposite end with the straight nib insert. Very nice writing instrument.

If Heebs had not posted his photos I would have spent way too much time making the flanges. Those three images truly helped to make the pen making process much easier.

Alan

[ash_bush]

This information is invaluable! Thank you! Where do you get your brass?

[AndyT]

Where do you get your brass?

Modeler's shops are a good source of small quantities here (UK).

[Heebs]

Hardware stores often carry small craft sheets but it's easy to find online at jewelry shops or ebay/etsy.