You are such a kind person to figure this all out to save us the cost of a pen press: making the supports, searching out wood in your garden, getting a pen ready, and doing the pressing on camera. I wish I lived near you -- you are such a good-hearted person! As for the can press, I think it would be wise for me to save up and have money to buy a press for when/if I get into pen making. It seems I might be saving a LOT of money on medical bills if I took that route! LOL. And thank you again.

How very clever. Thank you for improvising and trying new ways to accomplish the task.

With warning and all this was a good video :) It was nice to see you try it yourself since you have used the actual product specifically used for this purpose and could say if you needed to make adjustments like you did. Good on you :)

I love these ideas I will put them on the wall and start doing! Thanks ❤️

Well said, well done

Interesting, but definitely need safety specs and a very accurate lining up. Think I will take my pen press out of its box!!!!! Thanks Val and as we discussed on Saturday, using it to mash clay it doesn't look strong enough. Much love xxxxxx

Another great and helpful video -- thank you, Val! I'm a recent subscriber (from the Oregon coast, US), and just beginning my polymer clay adventure. I enjoy your videos and artworks (and cats -- I have 3 rescued characters of my own) and your enthusiasm is so contagious I want to try everything! I think I'll invest in a real pen press after watching this video. :-)

Brilliant idea! Ignore the snarky remarks. Love your channel!

I would think if you could narrow the impact area it might work better. In a pen press you have a "channel" that the pen parts sit in, and the "pressing arm" has a smaller surface area. Here there's too much wiggle room - if you went just a bit too fast the parts could jam up and end up flipping out of the crusher. However, I can't think of any way you can stabilize the parts that wouldn't interfere with the press.

I can see the reasoning behind this. The can crusher you used is a bit light weight, a heavy duty one would do the job. Also a proper cradle to hold the pen would be much better. I'm thinking I'll not bother. In the meantime I'm making a jig for my lathe so I can press pens together. It probably won't cost me more than a couple of quid.

Safety glasses for sure - and maybe a clear block over the pen to prevent its flying out out into the room like a missile?

Well...... it was a good video! It made me think that it might be worth saving up for a proper pen press! 🙂 The uses of Blu Tac are many and various! But realistically, i can see the can crusher being thrown out of the window before I made anything useful! Too many things to pibch my fingers with! 😉

I was a chemistry teacher, known for doing erm, interesting experiments, such as "Set The Teacher On Fire", screaming jellybabies, anything dramatic and Wow! worthy. This one worries me. Definitely dangerous. If you get the angle slightly wrong, the pen innards will crumple, or worse, spring upwards in an uncontrolled way. You were very careful, Val, and I think the safety disclaimer was wise. But wiser to just bite the bullet (not literally, folks!) and buy the proper equipment. Even then, wear those safety specs.

Interesting! At best you have given us, who are on a strict budget, another option until such time we can work out if making pens is our thing and/or that having a real Pen Press will be a necessary tool because we are making and selling pens and are now in a position to purchase one to keep up with the demand. Thank you. Very much appreciated.

The can crusher worked, but I think if you're making pens you need a pen press for sure.😎

Love this video! I love finding other uses for things. I am sure there are other pen presses that are not so expensive. One just has to look around. :) I wouldn't use a can crusher myself. I don't even use one for crushing cans though I thought about it. :P I decided though my foot works just as well and is much cheaper. It also won't break. I just crush each can as I empty it with my foot then toss it in the recycle bin. That being said I get a good amount of money from my cans by weight. One time I had $50 giving back to me which is almost the cost of that pen press that you have. :D - Heidi

With the time that needs to be used and the safety issue, I would rather save up for a proper pen press. Your video is of great value.

I would think that if you’re going to make pens to sell you’d want to invest in a proper press. For just one or two? I’d wear safety glasses, and perhaps set a large acrylic block over the top while pressing. You could use the type that are sold for adhesive backed stamps for scrapbooking., and would be able to see what you are doing. Maybe? Check your own common sense, see what it says.

If I had a keen interest in making pens, I could sacrifice my lust for chocolate and save up for a pen press. The can crusher looks too fiddly and could be dangerous. Oh and funny you should mention washi tape coz I only found out it existed yesterday. I'm so behind in the times!

You get what you pay for! I still maintain that my pen press is the single most sexiest tool I have (and yes, that includes my husband before you ask). It is a sheer pleasure to use and results are practically guaranteed. With anything not designed to do it (vices, crushers etc.) you are always going to run the risk of the pen snapping or bending or otherwise ruining your hard work. Give me a big red knobbly handle any day! :D

We don’t say vize in America. Ha ha.

Bit toooooo fiddly :) but I've got a pen press.

I can't afford a pen press, and actually don't make pens 🙄 However, having watch very closely, I do think it looked a bit dodgy, but also think that having it wall mounted would give you a free hand to steady your pen, lessening potential missing eye issues?!! 😁🙄 What about if the can crusher was of a better quality and able to deal with all cans? I feel sure that must be a factor in this...somewhere...maybe? What do I know, having never made a pen in my life?!! Great video as ever Val!

better safe than sorry

sometimes cheaper isn't better lol

Wear your safety glasses, guys.

Interesting alternative method. My husband didn’t want me to spend so much money on a pen press, especially as he claims he has the tools to do it, ie, a clamp and rubber mallet! However, for me, I’d rather spend the £50 on a pen press, so save on all the moaning and groaning I have to endure every time I ask him to put some pens together for me.

Definitely not a good idea. Sorry slightly slippery. Say that three times fast! Bwahaha