DIY Inexpensive Pen Holder

[iamtheandyman]

Hi,

 

I have recently been converted to be a FP user. I was introduce with a platinum preppy, and other inexpensive types. I am waiting for some others to arrive from jetpens.com any day.

 

But in the mean time I was trying to think of a way to keep my pen readily available on my desk. Real estate is valuable on my desk, so my qualifications were the following:

 

-Hold a single pen

-Store the pen vertically

-Not cost an arm and a leg

-Metal or metal looking - possibly art deco, or modern style, cause this is what I like.

 

After much research on here, I decided DIY was the only way to go, cause the only one I found that came close to what I wanted was $25 and I didn't want to spend that much money and have to order it online.

 

So here is what I came up with:

 

here it is up close:

http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/ae79/iamtheandyman/penholder1.jpg

 

here it is with my Pilot Plumix - It is a tall pen and it has no problems with it.

http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/ae79/iamtheandyman/penholder2.jpg

 

Sorry for slightly lesser quality pictures, they are from my phone, and I was just to darn excited to share this.

 

It is a Steel Spacer and a washer that I got from Lowes.

 

The total bill was $2.01

 

I super glued them together, put some cotton balls inside and Voila!

I have been thinking about spray painting it black, but for now it is doing the job.

 

I hope you enjoy it, let me know what you think

 

Thanks,

iamtheandyman

 

PS: I know its metal and some people are worried about the wear and tear, but I don't think it will be because the inside is very smooth. You could take a buffing pad on a dremel and run it on the inside to make extra sure of that.

[SarahS]

Hi Lam,

 

Love your pen holder. I have one of the $25 ones that holds the pen horizontally, and not that well.

 

Did you need to do anything to the inside of the spacer, or is it smooth (so that it won't scratch the barrel)?

 

Again, welcome to FPs and the FPN.

 

Sarah

Edited April 1, 2010 by sfs6205

[iamtheandyman]

Thanks Sarah,

 

The spacer is pretty smooth on the inside, it looks just like the outside. You could probably run a buffing wheel of a dremel in there if you felt necessary. There is also enough room to line it felt if you were a little creative.

 

All I did was put a cotton ball on the bottom so the pen wouldn't hit the washer.

 

 

Thanks

iamtheandyman

[iamtheandyman]

This is the pen stand that mine was very loosely based on:

 

Swisher Pen, Jac Zagoory Pen Stand

[SarahS]

I have the Zagoory Mini Buddha pen stand (although I think it should be called the Mini Hotai pen stand).

 

Did you see jbb's makeshift inkwell, built from hardware store materials, posted yesterday? Click here

 

Two neat "innovations" -- great minds and all of that!

 

Sarah

Edited April 1, 2010 by sfs6205

[cerberusdog]

I really like that. For a few more cents: a piece of felt from the fabric store and some more glue and the inside will be perfect. I am guessing that it could add another $0.02 - 0.03 to the project. Well, off to Lowes.

Rick

[iamtheandyman]

I really like that. For a few more cents: a piece of felt from the fabric store and some more glue and the inside will be perfect. I am guessing that it could add another $0.02 - 0.03 to the project. Well, off to Lowes.

Rick

 

Thanks Rick,

 

If you do wind up doing this and put felt in it, let me know how it turns out. I might have to look in my junk drawer for some felt or other soft fabric.

 

iamtheandyman

[Siv]

Ikea do something similar in glass - it may be a bit too deep though...

 

http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/9d/e/AAAAApmvCOAAAAAAAJ3n4A.jpg