UPSB v3

Tutorials Pending Approval / Better MX Retractable

by grsbmd

grsbmd
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 03:09:09

This pen is called the "Better MX Retractable" or "Better MXR" or "BMXR" or whatever you want to call it. I've always liked the HG3R (especially the mechanism) except for the fact that it uses pens that aren't readily available in the US. I wanted to try to make an MX that used this mechanism. So major credit to DarkArcher on this one.

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[Name of The Modification]: Better MX Retractable
[COG]: middle of the spinnable area
[Length]: ~18 cm
[Weight]: a little bit more than a regular MX
[Style]: Single-sided
[Writing-Mechanism]: Retractable
[Ink-Type]: Ballpoint
[Estimated cost]: $2 to $3
[Difficulty]: Hard
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MATERIALS LIST

[Pens-Needed]:

(1) Pilot Better Retractable
(1) Pentel RSVP
(1) Pilot G2

Spoiler:

[Individual Parts]:

Spoiler:

1. RSVP Cap
2. G2 Grip
3. Better tip
4. Better spring
5. RSVP Body
6. RSVP Back cap
7. RSVP ink tube
8. Better clicker
9. G2 ink tube
10. Better ink tube

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[Tutorial]:

Spoiler:

1. Cut off the tip of the RSVP body so that the ink will be able to slide through. Then attach the Better tip to the RSVP body.

2. Drill a 1/4" hole (sorry I don't have a metric kit) in the RSVP back cap. This should allow the G2 ink tube to fit snugly:

3. Cut off a 3.5 cm (length isn't real important here) length of G2 tube and toward one end of the tube, cut it according to DarkArcher's specifications (ignore the tape part):

4. After making sure that the Better clicker can move about freely around the G2 tube, glue the G2 tube inside the RSVP back cap as shown in the picture:

5. The RSVP ink tube won't be long enough for the retracting mechanism, so we'll have to extend it. Lots of people do this with toothpicks, but I don't like this method, so I always use part of another ink tube. You can cut part of the Better tube and tape it on the end. Just make sure that the extended tube is 17.75 cm from writing tip to the other end. Also make sure than this fits inside the Better clicker:

6. Wrap tape around the extended tube so that the edge of the tape is 6.8 cm from the tip. Then slide the Better spring over the tube. This tape will push the spring down for the retracting mechanism. [Optional: Bend the spring first so it doesn't make noise]

7. Sand down the RSVP back cap so the RSVP cap slide freely along it. Then screw the RSVP back cap onto the RSVP body. Now would be a good time to check and make sure that your mechanism is actually working:

8. Wrap double sided tape around the metal part of the Better clicker. Then slide the RSVP cap on as far as it will go. If the mechanism isn't smooth, you may need to do more sanding on the back cap. Slide on the grip and you're done.

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Q and A:

Q: What is the best way to cut the G2 ink tube?
A: I was never very good at arts and crafts, so I don't know if this is the best way, but I just use a pocketknife and that works fine. This is the hardest part of the mod and might take a few tries before you get it right.

Q: Why did you use a G2 grip and Better tip?
A: Because I wanted this mod to only use three pens which were all easily available in the US. If you have other grips and tips you like better, they'll work as long as the mechanism still works.

Q: Isn't this the same as the HG3R?
A: Yeah. It's pretty similar, but I wanted to make an MX version with the mechanism, and I'll certainly give DarkArcher his credit for the mechanism (which is pure genius)

Q: Why is your FAQ so bad?
A: If I knew that, it wouldn't be so bad.

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Edit: changed the name
Xternalãƒ¡DGN
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 03:15:43

can we use another grip other than the g2 grip? cuz i wana keep the look of a MX
grsbmd
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 03:19:53

Yeah, you can use whatever grip you want, and I think that most tips will probably work (but I won't say that for sure).

I would guess that a signo tip + an HGG grip would probably weigh about the same as Better tip + G2 grip.
Aries
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 03:29:16

Lulz cutting tht g2 piece is the only thing hold me back from making it
wtf@cody
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 03:47:09

How do you take a better retractable apart safely? ive had to smash all of the ones i used in the passed and that messes the mech up a bit
pholord
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 03:52:51

the name SRMX has already been used so i suggest you change the name to prevent confusion
Santa
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 03:54:14

this looks like a legit retractable mod , but the name is taken.

EDIT: dang pho beat me to it..
grsbmd
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 03:59:08

Any suggestions for new names? .... GRSB-MX?
I thought about trying to do something with HG3R, but that was hard since this doesn't use an HGG or a G3.

And I don't think there's a good way to get the clicker out other than cutting the piece that's holding it, which can be tricky.
wtf@cody
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 04:26:13

Better Mx? Better RT Mx?

And damn cutting the g2 intube with a box cutter is hard! >.< YARGHHH! Took me 4 tries to get a working piece....
grsbmd
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 23:17:58

I think I like Better MX Retractable. Would one of the mods be willing to change the title?
Stevieboy7
Date: Thu, Jan 1 2009 23:31:08

QUOTE (grsbmd @ Jan 1 2009, 06:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think I like Better MX Retractable. Would one of the mods be willing to change the title?

Uhh... you're the one who changes the title... just go to "full edit"
Adam_ADD
Date: Fri, Jan 2 2009 00:00:12

this was made back in ucpsb days but the tutorial for the rsvp version was taken down.