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Thread: pen case

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    Default pen case

    I was wondering if any pen turners bother to make their own timber cases for their pens. I know it's not economically viable to do so because they take so long to make and you can buy them for around $7.00. But I figured while I'm in the shed doing what I enjoy doing then why not make my own cases and save the $$$. At least I can say that the whole kit was home made. I suppose it's like why pay $30.00 for a pen when I can get a BIC for under $2.00. It still does the same job. Anyway here's my first attempt at making my own case. I'm working on ways to speed up the process and improve the quality.

    Cheers
    Shorty
    ________________________________________
    Cheers
    Shorty

    If I can't turn it I'll burn it

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  3. #2
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    Default Pen Boxes

    Hey Shorty,

    Looks pretty good to me, Have you done the calcs on what it really cost you, going on the 3 x Cost exercise, it will scare you I reckon, The $7.00 ones from Carba-Tec are pretty economical if you have to do 20 pens in a hurry, one of my clients says that anything under $100.00 instantly gets a 100% mark up, if it works for him, no reason it can't work for us

    HazzaB
    It's Hard to Kick Goals, When the Ba^$%##ds Keep moving the Goal Posts.


    Check out my Website www.harrybutlerdesigns.com.au

  4. #3
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    Default

    G'day HazzaB

    The $$ value on my labor is not really that important. I spend all my free time in the shed making stuff coz I want to and its my hobby. If I can sell something, great, if I don't it doesn't matter. I just enjoy what I do.

    Cheers
    Shorty
    ________________________________________
    Cheers
    Shorty

    If I can't turn it I'll burn it

  5. #4
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    Bendigo Victoria
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    Default

    Nice case there, I agree with your sentiments, but as Hazza says if you did it for a living it wouldn't pay.

    But then, most (if not all) of the things I do in the shed don't pay

  6. #5
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    Default

    Nice pen case you have made there Shorty. I admire anyone that can do flat work because I can not. It will make a good selling point, that the gift a person is buying is all hand crafted by the maker. Hope you show more of your cases in the future.

    Darren

  7. #6
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    Default

    nice box

    without entering the debate -

    I think the real issue or point is to make something that cannot be mass produced - one off boxes with an inlay of the pen burl or some huon birdseye are going to hit the mark

    something that is sold at carbi and is obviously mass produced is not going to hit the mark. It is not something that will be treasured, Whereas a handmade one-off creation is appreciated for what it is and kept because it is nice and different

    whether the paying public will pay for what it is worth is another question entirely
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,
    tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...

  8. #7
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    Default

    I know its not the same but have you seen the high gloss boxes that you can get from Mark at 043turning they cost around 16 bucks but gee they set my pens off when i put them in there for presents.
    I know you like to make your own but when you can buy boxes like that it makes them hard to resist

    Cheers Ian

  9. #8
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    Default

    Nice simple pen box. Someone else made a nice one on here recently that was very simple. There were no hinges used either. I had a play with the concept and its a very do-able idea. I used tooth pics as the pivot point so the cost was only my time, some glue and the finish. All the other materials were scraps from other projects.
    It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it.

  10. #9
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    Mar 2007
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    Munruben, Qld
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by corbs View Post
    Nice simple pen box. Someone else made a nice one on here recently that was very simple. There were no hinges used either. I had a play with the concept and its a very do-able idea. I used tooth pics as the pivot point so the cost was only my time, some glue and the finish. All the other materials were scraps from other projects.
    See thread here
    Reality is no background music.
    Cheers John

  11. #10
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    Default

    I think your box looks really good Shorty. Would show off any pen to an advantage. Great work.
    Reality is no background music.
    Cheers John

  12. #11
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by munruben View Post
    Thats the one, I made my prototypes out of 42x42 pine with NG Rosewood ends and I think it was a 13mm cove cut router bit that I did the recess with?
    It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Gravesend NSW
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    Default

    Nicely Done Shorty , Making my own pen boxes is on my list as well for the same reason that Nick Said , A Custom Handmade Pen needs a Custom Handmade Box
    Cheers
    Glenn




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