ZT tutorial, by K4S Rating Options

[K4S]

Welcome to the ZT tutorial!

The 15th tutorial by me, K4S

By popular demand I have whipped up this tutorial. I had no idea people would like this mod so much haha. ZT stands for Zebra Telescopic/Telescope.

It started with a random trip to walmart to pick up some rsvp when I saw a neat pen on the shelf. This pen was the Zebra Tele-Scopic pen. I was intrigued by its extending ability so I knew I had to try and make something out of this. After a minute of brainstorming I figured a grip aviaire type mod would be most ideal and so voila, the ZT mod was born.

(I assume no responsibility if you are careless and sustain eye damage or dismember your finger/hand from trying to follow my tutorial to make this pen mod. Remember, you can’t spin pens without fingers. )


Some basic stats/info:
-14.8.0-16.0cm in its small form (depends on which method you used to make it)
-22.0cm in it’s long form
-COG = COP
-Heavy (about the same weight as a dr.KT)
-double sided
-Total cost is about $9-10 (depending how much grip you use and what method you use to link the 2 sections)
-No rattling when spun if made correctly.


So let us begin…err, wait a sec, not so fast. I have posted 2 ways of making this mod. The first method was my original way to making the mod (still recommended). Credit to Thnikk for telling me that the entire pen could be disassembled by pulling it apart really hard. After knowing you could take the entire pen apart a second method was developed for making the ZT. Both methods have their own pros/cons (see below for summary of pros/cons)


METHOD 1 (<--click)
Pros
- More sturdy when extended in its long form (the ends have virtually no wobble)
- Easier to make (minimal disassembly of the pen…you do not have to get the brass inserts back in which is a pain in the ass)
- Extending mechanism remains “stiff” (disassembling the pen like method 2 will “loosen” the sliding mechanism; consult Q&A section)
**As an added benefit of the stiff sliding mechanism you can extend the pen to your desired length (eg. 20cm; the pen is not fully extended) and it should stay at that length even if you spin it.**

Cons
- About 1cm longer than method 2 in its small form
- Costs a little more (about $0.40 more because it required a Bic Stic Grip)
- Requires an extra pen (Bic Stic Grip)

METHOD 2 (<--click)
Pros
- About 1cm shorter than method 1 in its small form
- Cheaper to make than method 1
- Requires one less pen to make (good if you do not have access to Bic Stic Grip pens)

Cons
- Less sturdy when extended in its long form (the ends wobble a little bit; it’s not that bad)
- More difficult to make (reinserting the brass inserts is tough)
- Extending/sliding mechanism is loosened due to required disassembly of the pen (the pen may extend by itself if spun hard in its small form)


NOTE:

Spoiler:

The ZT mod made using method 2 can close about 1cm more than a ZT mod made using method 1. Consult Q&A for details.

==========================================

Short introduction video to the ZT pen mod:



^ Big thanks to TEK for the photoshop work


Review of the ZT pen mod by Guitrum:


==========================================

Trouble Shooting Questions:
Q: Which method of linking the bodies do you recommend?
A: I recommend my method (method 1) because taking apart the entire pen and then trying to put it back together correctly with both brass inserts is a pain in the ass. Also, the extending section does not wobble as much (method 1) when fully extended due to better internal support.

Q: What grip do you recommend using for the middle?
A: I used slickpen grips because I have lots but since they are somewhat difficult to come by you can probably use anything (eg. rsvp, hgg, etc). You can even do what TEK did and tape the middle and then wrap an outsert in the middle if you don’t want a middle grip but want a more aesthetical way of covering the gap between the 2 pens. OR you can use no middle grip and have the middle bare (as seen in the final product picture)

Q: What colors do the Zebra Tele-scopic pens come in?
A: Black, Red, and Blue.

Q: I tried method 2 and I just cannot put it back together with both brass inserts. Can I just use 1 brass insert since I cant get both in?
A: I told you it was hard…The extending mechanism will be quite loose if you only use 1 brass insert. In other words, you need both brass inserts. Good luck.

Q: I linked the pens with method 2 but now the parts which extend seem to wobble when the pen is in its long form
A: Yeah, unfortunately the plug you removed when you disassembled the entire pen gave the black extendable section some support (additional support given by the inktube linking the 2 pens together)….so when you removed the internal backplugs it caused the extendable sections to have less internal support. Therefore, they will wobble when fully extended.

Q: Okay, so if the extendable sections wobble cant I just do what the original grip aviaire tutorial did and shove a paintbrush (or any sort of stick) inside to stabilize it?
A: Unless your paintbrush/stick can extend along with the pen, this will not work. The only way to stabilize the mod is to follow method 1.

Q: Why does disassembling the pen (method 2) loosen the sliding mechanism?
A: Well, from what I can tell when Zebra manufactures the pen the silver tube with brass inserts fits in from the back before they glue on the plug which the silver backplug screws into. Therefore, the brass inserts are initially not tampered with so they allow for a stiffer sliding mechanism. When you disassemble the pen by pulling it apart, you squish the brass inserts down (since it’s not meant to be disassembled like that). So when the pen is put back together the brass inserts have been squished and the sliding mechanism is loosened. While you will never be able recover the original stiff sliding mechanism you can consult STEP 6 (METHOD 2) for a possibly remedy.

Q: Did you know that G3 inktubes fit perfectly inside the ZT’s internal plastic tube? Can that be used to link the bodies (similar to method 1)?
A: Yes, I did know they fit…that is how my prototype was built (the one seen in my youtube video). I realized once my prototype was complete that G3’s were more difficult to come by and more expensive so I looked for a way to link the ZT bodies in a similar way but use more common/cheaper pens, hence why I ended up using a Bic Stic Grip section to link the bodies.

Q: I followed STEP 5 (METHOD 1) but the ZT’s internal plastic tube still rattles, what’s wrong?
A: In order to prevent the internal plastic tube from rattling you need to have cut the bic stic grip section long enough such that it will press against the internal plastic tube and prevent it from moving (rattling). If the internal plastic tubing still rattles then the Bic Stic Grip section is not long enough.

Q: This extending pen mod is a great idea. Is there a way to do this with regular pen parts?
A: Yes there are a few ways of doing this with regular pens…right now the concepts of doing such a thing are still ideas in my head and they remain somewhat difficult.

Q: Wow, in your retractable HCMX (hgg ink) tutorial you said you’re next tutorial would be an MP rsvp MX. Liar!
A: Yes, well that was the initial plan but things change :>

Q: Does the pen extend if you spin it hard enough in its small form?
A: If you made the pen via method 1 then no, the pen should be quite solid and only extend when you pull the ends apart. If you followed method 2 then by disassembling and reassembling the pen you essentially “loosened” the sliding extendable section so it may extend if you spin it hard enough. Consult STEP 6 (METHOD 2) for a possibly remedy.

Q: Could I add metal tips on the end?
A: Yes, but the mod is already as heavy (if not slightly heavier) than a dr.KT! …adding metal tips on each end would be overkill.

Q: Where do you buy the pens for this mod?
A: I found the zebra tele-scopic pens at walmart but they are likely sold at staples as well and possibly other department stores. Ebay sells the pens as well

Q: You’ve used zebra brand pens in a lot of your tutorials...
A: Coincidence…they just happen to make useful pens

Q: Why do you sometimes have [IMG] tags and other times you just post a [url] to the picture?
A: I’m limited to 10 pictures per post T_T

Q: Any way to get this thing to write?
A: Hmm, I have an idea or two but they need some more development.

Q: So, on your original method (method 1), why cant the ZT close completely?
A: Since the Bic Stic Grip section is pressing against the internal plastic tubes (to prevent rattling), the ZT cannot close completely. It’s only about 1cm longer than method 2 is.

Q: I’ve seen people call this GAE as well as ZT, what gives?
A: I initially named this mod “grip aviaire evolved” or “grip aviaire extension”, but since the acronym would have been GAE (sounds like ‘gay’ lol), I changed it to ZT which stands for Zebra Telescopic/Telescope.

Q: ZOMG, triple post!
A:

[K4S]

Method 1

Spoiler:

1.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg96/jt...tutorial001.jpg

Pens you need:
2x Zebra Tele-scopic pens
1x Bic Stic Grip
1x middle grip (seen in picture: slickpen grip)
2x grips for each end (seen in picture: Beifa grip)

2.


PARTIALLY disassemble the ZT pen (as seen in the picture). Do not disassemble the entire pen (as seen in method 2). You only need the main body (the part with the sliding mechanism) and the back plug which screws into the main body.

What you need:


3.


Take 1 ZT pen from step 2 and put on the middle grip.

4.


Disassemble the Bic Stic Grip. You only need the one piece specified in the picture.

5.


**As usual I recommend cutting MORE than the specified 2.4cm and then you can shorten it as needed for a perfect fit.**

The Bic Stic Grip section should be long enough such that it pressed AGAINST the ZT’s internal plastic tube to prevent rattling but is exactly long enough that you can join both ZT pens together seamlessly!

6.


Take a rubber elastic and use it as a grip to hold onto the Bic Stic Grip section to screw it into one of the ZT pens.

(I realize I accidently used a pen that still had a clip on it for this picture lol)

7.


Now screw on the other ZT pen onto the Bic Stic Grip section.

**If you cut the linking bic stic grip section correctly it should fit perfect and the pen should NOT rattle when extended into its long form!**

8.


After joining the two ZT pens together you can throw on a small strip of clear tape around the middle for further reinforcement/support.

9.


Slide the middle grip onto the middle of the pen and add grips on both sides. Voila!


Final Product! (same pic as first post)

Spoiler:

Big thanks to TEK for the photoshop work

^click to expand tutorial :>

[K4S]

Method 2

Spoiler:

1.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg96/jt...tutorial001.jpg

Pens you need:
2x Zebra Tele-scopic pens
1x middle grip (seen in picture: slickpen grip)
2x grips for each end (seen in picture: Beifa grip)

2.


Disassemble the ENTIRE pen. The silver tube is separated from the sliding back tube by pulling it apart hard.

LARGE PICTURE (same pic as above)

3.


This is what you need from step 2.

4.


**As usual I recommend cutting MORE than the specified 0.8cm and then you can shorten it as needed for a perfect fit.**

5.


6.
At this point in time, the sliding mechanism will be much looser than originally because the brass inserts have been flattened/squished from disassembly/reassembly. So, take what you have from step 5 and slightly BEND THE BRASS INSERTS like so…



…and then push the back part over the brass inserts (regular assembly). Doing this will stiffen the sliding mechanism slightly although it will never be quite like it was originally :\

7.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg96/jt...tutorial008.jpg

Repeat steps 2, 5, 6 on the other ZT pen so you should have 2 modded ZT pens.

8.


Slide on the middle grip onto one of the ZT pens.

9.


Take the small plastic piece from step 4 and use a rubber band for grip to screw it into one of the ZT pens.

10.


Screw on the other ZT pen onto the linking plastic piece.

11.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg96/jt...tutorial012.jpg

After joining the two ZT pens together you can throw on a small strip of clear tape around the middle for further reinforcement/support.

12.


Slide the middle grip onto the middle of the pen and add grips on both sides. Voila!


Final Product! (same pic as first post)

Spoiler:

Big thanks to TEK for the photoshop work

^click to expand tutorial :>

[CPM8]

*Goes off to remod ZT since method one is way better*

On method two, one reason it may be shorter is if u twist the top, the brass inserts will twist with it, allowing the cap to move further in, but weakening the brass as well... (I did this...)

[TEK]

sexy ass pen
great job k4s

[K4S]

*Goes off to remod ZT since method one is way better*

On method two, one reason it may be shorter is if u twist the top, the brass inserts will twist with it, allowing the cap to move further in, but weakening the brass as well... (I did this...)

The reason the pen is shorter for method 2 is because you no longer have those ZT internal plastic tubing to worry about...since they are taken out, you dont need the middle joint to press against them (to prevent rattling) and so since nothing is pressing against them, the pen closes an extra 1cm.

[CPM8]

Yeah, I just read through the Q&A...

[Surab]

omg this awesome ive been waiting for this

[Aiyah]

how does the plastic tube rattle?
does the tube have a smaller diameter or a shorter length?
i gotta get some of these pens >.<

[Kool spinz]

sexy pen man !!! good job

[K4S]

how does the plastic tube rattle?

It's easier to understand if you can see the pen yourself but basically, when you close the pen completely this internal plastic tube will press a metal piece upwards to cover up the ink. When you expand the pen, the plastic tubing will not longer press against the metal cover and the ink will be exposed. So this plastic tube has the ability to slide upwards and downwards to press against the metal cover and that is what rattles.

[JC]

in method 1, should it take a lot of force to get that bic stic grip piece into the barrel =\ cause i can't seem to get it in -.-''

[K4S]

After a certain point you have to screw it in. It's a very tight fit which is why i recommend using the rubber band for grip as you twist it in.

[spinz]

Where can i buy Zebra Telescopic pens?

[dxchsdrgo]

Where can i buy Zebra Telescopic pens?

almost anywhere they sell pens

staples
office depot
office max
fred meyers
walmart
target
etc

This post has been edited by dxchsdrgo: Jun 24 2008, 04:07 AM

[spinz]

I dont live in USA

[loonwern93]

i like this.

[LoneFang]

thats a really good mod.. ima make one if i can find the pens lolzorz

[luke]

nice pen man maybe i bike to staples today

[Darkeh]

Method 1 is almost exactly how I made mine, I just used a shorter piece of the bic grip stic and it still rattled