Thread: Recycling mechanical pencils and Koh-I-Noor leadholders

Okay. Quite a few views but no replies so it's time for an update.


I picked up an entry level Koh-I-Noor leadholder with a view to using it's guts in my own turning. The internals unscrew from the plastic body easily enough but breaking it down further into useable components is likely to damage the finish on the nickel plated nib and clicker. The nib's thread is different from the woodworkers and artists kits I have, so using the threaded tubes from them is ruled out. A sierra tube is almost the right size but would need to be threaded. Art suppliers have told me the more expensive metal bodied leadholders disassemble the same way and use the same mechanism.

The nickel finish of K-I-N looks ordinary at best and replacing them with woodworker/artist chrome finish bits just to get the extra length looks a no-go, so I'll be chopping to 120mm ones into 2 x 60mm refills.

As it turns out, the pencil and mixed refill kits I'd been looking at, were yet another brand - Cretacolor. Their refills are considered better quality than Koh-I-Noor refills according to some arty types and those in the know, but the pencil or leadholder appears to be mostly plastic including the pencil's clutch. So Musgrave Art Supplies are trying to source mixed color refill sets for me sans plastic leadholder. My goal always was to get as many refills colours and types as possible without breaking the bank.

I haven't given up on the idea of a pencil kit for longer refills but they're definitely on the back-burner for now.

Well not too sure what you are up to , but PSI power pencil has a 2mm lead 90mm long in a click pencil that is approximately the same size as a streamline They have a matching biro as well with a click mechanism ,and a parker refill . They also come with a packet of refills for the pencils as well ,they make nice pen and pencil sets cheers John

Take the nib to a tool supply store, a machine shop supplier is best, and have them determin the thread pitch and size, then buy a tap and die set, cut threads in your wood or acrylic blank to fit...use the innards as they are, but be careful, the original manufacture might have issues if you advertise them for sale.

Originally Posted by dabbler

Okay. Quite a few views but no replies so it's time for an update.


I picked up an entry level Koh-I-Noor leadholder with a view to using it's guts in my own turning. The internals unscrew from the plastic body easily enough but breaking it down further into useable components is likely to damage the finish on the nickel plated nib and clicker. The nib's thread is different from the woodworkers and artists kits I have, so using the threaded tubes from them is ruled out. A sierra tube is almost the right size but would need to be threaded. Art suppliers have told me the more expensive metal bodied leadholders disassemble the same way and use the same mechanism.

The nickel finish of K-I-N looks ordinary at best and replacing them with woodworker/artist chrome finish bits just to get the extra length looks a no-go, so I'll be chopping to 120mm ones into 2 x 60mm refills.

As it turns out, the pencil and mixed refill kits I'd been looking at, were yet another brand - Cretacolor. Their refills are considered better quality than Koh-I-Noor refills according to some arty types and those in the know, but the pencil or leadholder appears to be mostly plastic including the pencil's clutch. So Musgrave Art Supplies are trying to source mixed color refill sets for me sans plastic leadholder. My goal always was to get as many refills colours and types as possible without breaking the bank.

I haven't given up on the idea of a pencil kit for longer refills but they're definitely on the back-burner for now.

very keen to know how to achieve this result as well... want to create a set of drawing pencils in a range of colours.

Potentially my project will incorporate a set where each pencil clearly displays its 'family heritage' yet is of a colour that relates to its lead colour.

I saw several sketch pencil coloured leads at pen city in Melbourne but I imagine the US suppliers would have a broader range of colours.

As regards the mechanisms, thanks very much for doing this very valuable research.

This forum is wonderful!

gawdelpus
I had originally thought about a pen, pencil and stylus set but on reflection realised my daughter doesn't take notes in the same way I did (and still do).

She does have a passion and the aptitude for drawing and art in general and anticipates studying architecture in 2013. Early in my search for kits and leads, I decided I needed to decide upon one size and go with it. That's why I'm looking at the 5.6mm lead options. They are the preferred dia for many art and sketch pencils. The 2-3mm as you suggested are also used in drafting so later on I will probably be looking at them too but not just now.

edblysard
In my case, I want to produce a high school graduation gift and that's in fact what brought me to pen turning a few months ago. I'll leave "production for sale" to the truly proficient. You make a good point about what the original manufacturer might think and do. People reading this thread at a later date might have different interests and intention to me, so it serves as warning note to all.

I gave various thread cutting options a cursory investigation but don't really want to spend extra money on tools just to recycle (in this case). The recyling only comes into the equation if I buy bundle packs and create the waste/unused item myself. I'm (and the world) better off NOT buying bundles and stick with buying seperate pencils kits and individual leads types.

I've asked about suitable tap and die sets at two places. Both places took a few measurements and quickly shook their heads. I've also shown briefly it to a fellow forumite (no names mentioned here) while at my local turning supply outlet. He thought it possible but I know his skills are far superior to mine and besides he just wants to play for the sake of playing.

seriph1
It could turn into a mammoth project if you're not careful. I also want to make a custom box for my set so I secretly have to work out how and where my daughter will use hers before I come up with the design.

I'm tending towards a similar line as you. Probably "permanent" holders for graphites and charcoal with other holders for "swappable" colour families.

No need to go OS or even online for leads unless you're remote I guess. There are many brands of leads types and colours available over the counter at good art supply shops. They offer far more choice than pen retailers and the kit suppliers. It's just a different market for supplies and consumables. I have physically held or seen packs from three different brands that were in 6 packs, 3 packs, single leads, mixed colour/hue/chroma packs, charcoal, clay composite, graphite and metallic. There just the ones the store had in stock. The only leads I have not seen here yet (they are available in the US) are dry highlighters but my art supplier is checking for me. Some online sellers offer leads that I don't think will safly travel unless very well packed. By the time you factor shipping there is little or no saving whether from US or Europe. Search for Koh-I-Noor, Cretacolor, Worther/Woether (can't recall other brands right now) for ideas.


It seems most art companies view leadholders as utilitarian objects. Even the more expensive models I've seen from the art supply niche might have bodies fabricated from fancier material and even have some style to them but overall they all share fairly ordinary metal finishes. From a final finish perspective, the potential of pen/pencil-turning kits is far superior.

My only hesitation with my project is whether the duty-cyle/longevity of the pencil kit's mechanism when used as swappable leadholder rather than a permanent single colour pencil. Commercial leadholders quite possibly have a better mechanism than kits. An artist would typically have a small number of holders and a large number of leads, frequently changing leads as they about their work. That's a little different to propelling a few mm every so often when your lead needs sharpening. Only time will tell I suspect.

Thanks everyone for your PM's, ideas and feedback.
And yes. I have too much spare time.....