Few Important Questions Before Making A Box

[Dj Shift]

So, i am soon going to start a project creating a pen box out of a Cigar box. I plan to make it hold 4 pens (more like 3 pens and an ink syringe) and 4 vials of ink. I have a few questions before i start (and one random question).

 

1. (random question) i plan on buying this Pilot Metropolitan off Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pilot-Metropolitan-Fountain-Pen-Silver-Zig-Zag-/400499897700) and they say it has a "Pilot aerometric converter (squeeze type)". Do you keep the nib attached to the converter when you squeeze it?

 

2. What is the maximum length of a pen? I dont want to someday buy some really long pen and have it not fit in the box. What's the longest you know of? Would 6 inches be enough room for all pens?

 

3. To the other people who have undergone the box making process, where do you buy the wooden compartment things for the inside of the box? I dont know how to word it so i havent been able to search it and i have absolutely no skills what-so-ever with saws, sandpaper, or any other power tools.

 

4. Can you get the ink in the converter from a vial similar to this style? http://www.ebay.com/itm/251327332990?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I mean both the Pilot Aerometric converter and the normal converters. I've never tried either let alone owned a vial similar to this.

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

Edited August 31, 2013 by Dj Shift

[Dj Shift]

Also, what's the length of the longest normal cartridge?

[my63]

Hi

I prefer to make my own with dowel and leather/suede but you can buy the ready made ones Michelle at Pendora pens is one there is another supplier in the US I am sure someone will post it

 

http://www.pendorapens.com/pen-tray-liner-inserts.html

Good luck with your project don't forget the pictures.

 

Michael

[Dj Shift]

So, i made my blueprints for the box in scale and every detail has been thought out from the length of a normal pen to the length of a vial, to the length of a cartridge and some spacer areas in between every compartment and the right room on top for them to not spill or scratch. I made the blueprints showing the bottom tray of the box, the top tray, and the side view.

 

I think i might have to find someone to make the compartments for the pens though because i perfectly measured it to find a pen needs a very exact length of 6 inches and a width of 1.5 inches. The sides of every pen slot need to be rounded and i need the slots for both the top and bottom to make a perfect closed bubble for each pen. I need the bottom slots to each have a center depth of 1 inch and the top part of the bubble to have a center depth of .5 inches for the bulkiest pen clips. The best marerial for these slots is wood coverred in a layer of suede.

[Dj Shift]

But i do still have one question before i could start. I've never used a non cartridge pen so, when filling up a pen with a converter attached, do you leave the nib on when sucking up the ink? And is it the same with the Aerometric converter? Also, would you be able to suck up the ink from a vial of this size without a syringe? http://www.ebay.com/itm/251327332990?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

It has a 17mm diameter (or maybe circumference, i dont really know.)

Edited August 31, 2013 by Dj Shift

[Dj Shift]

Here are some quick Ipad photos of my blueprints. They're to scale in the fact that every one square equals 1/2 inch. The first picture is the bottom of the box, the second is the roof of the bow, the third is the sides.

Edited August 31, 2013 by Dj Shift

[my63]

That is a very comprehensive set of plans you have there.

M

[Dj Shift]

Thank you. The biggest problem is going to be finding a box that perfecly matches the dimensions 6 x 11 x 3 1/2 on the inside though.

[my63]

Sorry I thought that you had a box already.

I have used a rymans pencil box old cutlery box and most recently plain boxes from ebay uk designed for decoupage.

I think you will find it much easier to find a box first and then draw up a plan for the interior.

best of luck

Michael

[hungh]

You can use pens with converters two ways:

1) leave the nib in and go suck ink out of the bottle, vial, etc.

2) fill it with a syringe.

 

I prefer leaving the nib in ver., but my friend prefers using syringes because, according to her, it wastes less ink.

[Dj Shift]

Sorry I thought that you had a box already.

I have used a rymans pencil box old cutlery box and most recently plain boxes from ebay uk designed for decoupage.

I think you will find it much easier to find a box first and then draw up a plan for the interior.

best of luck

Michael

I tried looking for one but couldn't find one near my dimensions. I might have to have one custom made.

[Dj Shift]

You can use pens with converters two ways:

1) leave the nib in and go suck ink out of the bottle, vial, etc.

2) fill it with a syringe.

 

I prefer leaving the nib in ver., but my friend prefers using syringes because, according to her, it wastes less ink.

Oh, thank you.