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I have used and enjoyed Pentel pencils for years. So I wanted to make wooden pencils with the Pentel mechanism. Here's how I make them.
All of the parts of the Pentel pencil are used in the wooden pencil.
I use a 1/4" Irwin auger to drill the pencil blank. Bit is 7-1/2" long. Auger is 4-1/2".
Turn a round tenon on one end of the blank and mount the tenon in a chuck. Mount a key chuck in the tailstock for the bit. Drill as deep as possible with a 1/4" brad point bit to make a guide way for the auger. This will reduce "wandering" by the auger. You can use a drill press, but this is easier.
Finish drilling the 1/4" hole with the auger. Drill deeper than needed. Cut the drilled blank to final length.
Square up both ends of the blank. Mount the blank onto a pen mandrel. Use slim line bushings to hold it in place. No brass tubes. Turn and finish the blank. Turn a slight depression for the clip.
Mount the Pentel plastic barrel between centers with the points of the drive center and the live center in the ends of the barrel. Friction fit, but not enough pressure to split the plastic. Turn the tip-end to 1/4" diameter to fit inside the wooden barrel. I use a parting tool.
About 1-1/4" of the barrel can be turned. The walls become too thin to turn.
Glue the completed insert into the wooden pencil barrel with super glue. Leave about 1/32" protruding from the end. Do not glue the tip or the mechanism.
Slip the clip over the shaft of a drill bit that is the size of the wooden barrel to expand it. Slide the clip from the bit onto the wooden barrel. Insert the pencil mechanism and screw on the tip. You can replace the mechanism and tip in the completed pencil with a one for a different size lead.
- Lonnie
All of the parts of the Pentel pencil are used in the wooden pencil.
I use a 1/4" Irwin auger to drill the pencil blank. Bit is 7-1/2" long. Auger is 4-1/2".
Turn a round tenon on one end of the blank and mount the tenon in a chuck. Mount a key chuck in the tailstock for the bit. Drill as deep as possible with a 1/4" brad point bit to make a guide way for the auger. This will reduce "wandering" by the auger. You can use a drill press, but this is easier.
Finish drilling the 1/4" hole with the auger. Drill deeper than needed. Cut the drilled blank to final length.
Square up both ends of the blank. Mount the blank onto a pen mandrel. Use slim line bushings to hold it in place. No brass tubes. Turn and finish the blank. Turn a slight depression for the clip.
Mount the Pentel plastic barrel between centers with the points of the drive center and the live center in the ends of the barrel. Friction fit, but not enough pressure to split the plastic. Turn the tip-end to 1/4" diameter to fit inside the wooden barrel. I use a parting tool.
About 1-1/4" of the barrel can be turned. The walls become too thin to turn.
Glue the completed insert into the wooden pencil barrel with super glue. Leave about 1/32" protruding from the end. Do not glue the tip or the mechanism.
Slip the clip over the shaft of a drill bit that is the size of the wooden barrel to expand it. Slide the clip from the bit onto the wooden barrel. Insert the pencil mechanism and screw on the tip. You can replace the mechanism and tip in the completed pencil with a one for a different size lead.
- Lonnie
Loring in Katy, TX USA
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