Episode 186: Certified Pen Over-Tightener

[@TheRacerRich]

Roy just discovered torque wrenches/drivers

[@FanIro]

As always, a very interesting show! I do love Roy's always critical, doubtful but positive approach to everything! Roy's is such a funny guy, I'd like him to be my friend if I could meet him in real life. And thanks indeed to Tom! I adore both of you guys. Keep up the great pencast alive!

[@PenBoyRoy]

Thanks! I’m pretty annoying in person. But I’ll be your friend!!

[@debbypodgorski4144]

Excellent show!

[@PenBoyRoy]

Thank you!

[@TheRacerRich]

When Roy asks if there are pens made out of polymer, I think the material he means is glass fiber reinforced nylon. And I don't think there are any, but that is an awesome idea. I have an M900 Toledo that I dropped the cap of and it caused a dent in the plastic. You can only see it if you look for it though. So I bought a replacement Toledo cap and I use the damaged cap but keep the new cap in its shipping case nearby.

[@PenBoyRoy]

This is exactly what I was actually referring to!

[@Calcprof]

Torque wrenches are important for carbon fiber bicycles, as over tightening can crack the frame.

[@a22lotti]

Certifiable overtightener here xD. Recently went to replace the SSD in my laptop for a bigger one and discovered that the screw holding it in was stripped. I had opened it up once previously after a spill incident, but almost a year ago so I had no memory of damaging the screw that badly. Went through the old rubber band trick, failed with pliers, and even attempted to drill it out but it was way too small for that. Eventually I succeeded with a dremel, cutting a slit into the top for a flathead screwdriver. That was an interesting week until I had that solved. Also noticed with a lot of resin pens I own (Lamy Safari, some limited Edisons with engravings, the list goes on) that I have a tendency to overtighten because things that used to line up when they were factory fresh don't quite line up anymore, but if they don't, things feel loose. Not to mention that when I close a jar, my wife often complains that she can't open it afterwards. My only defense is "but it has to be as tight as humanly possible so things don't come apart."

[@zeus52452]

I think I know the tool you were talking about and it's a torque driver. The measurement is inch-pounds and there should be a scale on the side of the driver to set the level of torque!

[@PenBoyRoy]

Yes. I got one by Wheelers called “the FAT” wrench.

[@Ken-wz9vy]

Imagine that, Roy over-tightening things. hahaha 😂 Congratulations Roy on achieving the armor status for Glock. Tom, thank you for the info on Cult pens. I've been wanting to get a different nib for my Pelikan Blue Dunes and the only place I have been able to find is Cult pens, but have been hesitant to order.

[@janisstewart2217]

Regarding the conversation about who services your pen, I had this exact same problem over the holidays with a brand new Pelikan. I contacted the retailer who told me I had to contact ChartPak. My dealings with the retailer and ChartPack were both good, but it was extremely disappointing do you have to deal with the problem in this fashion and it took a little thrill out of the grail pen experience. It took almost a month to get through the entire process.

[@PenBoyRoy]

That’s totally blows. I’d be pissed too.

[@Dragon_Drawer42]

I agree with Tom. If a pen has some use and wear I think it give the pen a little character. But if I break a pen? TWSBI? But I’m thinking Tom’s pens are of higher quality

[@judyjacobs5827]

Roy, is the tool you're talking about some kind of torque wrench? I wonder if the tendency to over-tighten has anything to do with having worked on firearms. They're usually metal, and are subject to pressure just in ordinary operation, so inadequately-tightened screws are like, you know, going off half-cocked, or having a bolt loose. These phrases aren't accidental, right?

[@PenBoyRoy]

I think you may be right. But even when building rifles and whatnot, I overtighten. lol

[@judyjacobs5827]

After buying a gorgeous Monteverde pen from Goldspot, the thing fell apart on the second or third opening. The person who opened and had the pen disintegrate in her hand is a member of the regional pen club, seems to have a light touch, and I doubt she did anything untoward regarding this pen. So I contacted the vender. The vender, in spite of their 30 day guarantee, indicated they would not help, and I should contact Yafa, the distributor. She kindly gave me a contact there. The contact forwarded my email string to someone else, who claimed to be in charge of returns for Monteverde, and asked for a lot of irrelevant information. I'd copied the listing for the pen, showing the price, description, photos. She wanted to know my location, wondered if I wanted to send them the pen (Duh! Nopers, I just love buying and keeping broken $100 pens.) She wondered where I'd seen this pen on their site. Well, I found it on their site, but it was no longer listed for sale. She seemed to suggest the pen would be repaired and returned, but the weeks roll on and there is still no pen. Color me ticked off.