Thread: Pen box ideas?

From memory, Timberbits has got a tutorial on making a pen box on his site.

Ignore the pens in the photo, here are some boxes I made. I used a router to route a groove in a few pieces of scrap and then stuck in a few hinges. These are made from scrap decking wood with a couple of pin hinges. I have done these in Spotted Gum and they turned out great and quick and easy to make. I'd suggest if you are going to do some like this, make the jigs to hold the pieces first. Also route the channel reasonably deep; it has to be deep enough to contain the pen and clip. Do your sanding of the inside before gluing the hinges in place. Then square it up if needed on a belt sander. The rest of the sanding can be done by placing the sheet of sandpaper flat on the work surface and moving the box back and forth. I then finished these in Aussie Oil. The ones in the photo, are made from scrap ironbark decking. I AM NEVER WORKING WITH IRONBACK AGAIN! Just saying....
P_20160512_231412.jpg

I am a bit hamstrung by not owning a plunge router! I had a go at turning up a lidded box a little while back but I didn't like the look of the proportions. Going to try again on the weekend if I have time.

You can make up a guide that fits onto a trimmer router to rout grooves for pens. I will try to take a pic later of my jig if I have time.

I don't have a pledge router either. I use a trimmer router.

Posted from somewhere I don't want to be.

Are you wanting a single or multiple pen box? these are two relatively easy ones i made.

HI all
Great boxes...
Im no box maker ... a few years ago I decided to try and come up with a relatively simple way to make boxes since I didn't have too many carpentry skills

Some of the ideas I came up with ...
1) Turned box on lathe
2) Routed blank
3) Thin simple pinned/stapled box using timber blinds
4) Glued box using a jig - no fasteners

I also looked at different lids/hinges ...
a) simple rounded turned for Turned boxes
b) std or pin hinge
c) dowel swivel hinge
d) magnet hinge
e) press on
f) grooved

corners and joints ..
i) plain overlap
ii) box jig joint - from one on the market
iii) mitre
iv) screwed, glued, stapled, pins, timber dowel
v) notice and tenon

My criteria was simple, low cost, not time consuming, single or double pen, fit range of pens, and nice timber.

End result in these pics. I still continue my quest ...

Randal

Different boxes

More with different lids ..

Originally Posted by double.d

Are you wanting a single or multiple pen box? these are two relatively easy ones i made.

You're a significantly better box maker than I am mate! But ideas noted, thank you.

Thanks for the ideas, Randal. I am going to give this another try today unless it's too damn hot (which seems quite likely at this point!).

So the recipients got these this week so all can be revealed as to what I ended up doing.

I eventually decided that as these were a set of wedding pens (for signing the paperwork) a stand would be better than a box. I thought about making something more complex, but the couple in question generally like a modern and clean design style, so it ended up being a very simple bit of walnut:



This is clearly a good option for the lazy pen maker (like me)!

Cheers,

Danny

Maybe simple, but as you say -sleek, doesn't take away from the pens, puts them on display and showcases another nice piece of timber!!