Thread: Pen Boxes

Originally Posted by nfld steve

Perhaps there's a little jig I can make up,that will hold my box halves and so my router can slide along and put a stop block on each end so it makes a groove just right to fit a pen.

That's more or less the way I'd go about it. Also a similar jig for fitting the hinges.

The problem with pen boxes is that you want them to do justice to the pen. I've tried making the odd one or two, but they've always ended up too bulky because of the hinges I used. Quite some time back I spent a while looking around for more suitable hinges but quickly found that they'd cost me more than buying the commercial boxes!

I'll be interested to see how you go. If you find a more economical way of going about it, I may be learning from you!

Jeez,that was a quick reply Skew!!!I forget what I paid for the hinges,I got them from the Woodchucker,in Ontario.I'm going to check the price I paid and post it here just to see.
I have to also learn to put pictures on here.I've just never read up on it,lol.
I will though,,soon.
Yes,if it's more expensive,,or even close to the price of bought boxes,,,I'll figure out some thing else,,I like the velvet drawstring pouches,they're always nice,,and affoedable,,,,cheap,lol.
I'll find my bill now and see what 2 hinges cost,,I think I bought a pack of 10 sets a couple of years ago.
I'll get back to you.
Thanks Skew for the tip,I think I'm on the right track with how to make them,,,,,nice to have a second opinion agreeing with it,lol.
Talk to you in a bit,,Steve

$5.10 for a 10 pack of hidden hinges from Penn State Ind,,and $4.60 a pack if someone buys 10 packs or more,so that's 10 divided into $5.10=51 cents each,,,$1.02 for 2 hinges to make one box,,,plus the time.
Or,$46.00 for 100,,,that's 92 cents for the hidden hinges for one box.
Hmmmm,,,I'll use up my 10 hinges,and see how it goes,might be worth it you know,depends on where,or who you sell to.Some people appreciate that .
We'll see.
I also saw a triangular pen box,that I wonder if it could be made using dowles for hinges.Now that would be good..scraps of wood,and dowels,,just have to figure out how to make them,and that's possible.
Anyway my buddy,,,have a great day,talk to you later,Steve

I like the idea of the triangular box. A bit different.

I wish I could find hinges that cheap over this side of the big pond. :

One thought though: if you make your boxes for pen sets ie., a set of two or three, maybe a pencil, rollerball and fountain pen, then you should be able to get away with slightly bulkier boxes. I was trying to make boxes for just one pen... although I think I've learned a bit since then. Maybe I could pull it off now, although I wouldn't lay any money on it.

Are you in Oz,or the UK,?
Craft Supplies might have them.
But yes,the triangle box with dowels for hinges,just a little short piece on each end would be nice looking,and pretty well free,and once a fellow figured out how to make it,and made a few,got the bugs out,he/she could spend a day just making them,and have a good supply.
I'm thinking in that direction,because of the price of bought boxes,and also,a guy can use any wood,and even inlay something in the top with a scroll saw or whatever for a box with a really special pen,,,or get a desisn,or name put on it with a laser,a company here will do that for a small fee.
Anyway Skew,we're doing some decent brainstorming here this morning!!
That's good!!
I got to run now for a bit,got a few hens,and they're going to be mad at me for feeding them late,lol.Also had a blizzard here from yesterday,and I got to do the driveway,,,again!!!lol,,,3rd time sine yere morning,lol,and I have to go do my mothers,she lives about a mile from me.
It's a beautiful sunny day here now though,what a difference from yesterday.I'll check back later this afternoon for sure,great to talk with you.
Talk to you later my buddy,Steve

CONCEALED BARREL HINGES 5 x 20 mm pack of 12 $5.00 at http://www.mcjing.com.au/Hardware/toolframe.htm
Keith

Tony Sculptured Art made me a bandsaw box his case was beautiful. It was just the depth of the pen the hinge he made was on like a very minute dowel
HTH
Toni

Steve, the general impression is that it is cheaper to buy commercial boxes, BUT, I believe some pens deserve beautifully crafted boxes, pens like the Emperor and Jr. Statesman and Churchills etc, only wish I had the talent and knowledge hoe to make them. Amos

The concealed barrel hinges are still a tad too large for a single pen-box, at around 5mm thickness the wall needs to be at least 7mm thick to bed them in and that's as thick as some of my pens! They're what I used last time. [shrug]

I think the answer is to get small butterfly/slot hinges (with rounded leaves) then use a micro-saw - basically a small cutting wheel - on a Dremel to cut slots to slip/epoxy the leaves in.

McJing also has those, but at 16x22mm they're still too big for my taste. It may be the way I'll have to go, though.

Originally Posted by Woodenink

I believe some pens deserve beautifully crafted boxes, pens like the Emperor and Jr. Statesman and Churchills etc, only wish I had the talent and knowledge hoe to make them. Amos

I think it's probably fair to say that both Steve and I are in full agreement with you there.

Toni,how about a pic of your bandsawn box.

ok hang on will go and grab it for you
TOni

How about making a box with a slide in lid, like the old pencil cases? You could make it all wood, or line it with velvet/satin over shaped foam and make the slide in lid out of perspex.

Donna

Here Schaf old mate, This is made for me from Tony Sculpture art made from red cedar. I think it just a wax finish.
bye Toni
I can't get the other to resize. Does anyone know a picture resizer that suits the new vista program?

Originally Posted by lubbing5cherubs

I can't get the other to resize. Does anyone know a picture resizer that suits the new vista program?

There was a link posted around 11 Jan 2008, for an online image resizer. Naturally, I can't find it now among my favorites. But Google [online image resizer] for a bunch of others. AFAIK, independent of operating system or browser. Upload your pic, massage it or accept the site's varaiations, and select "Save Picture" from (right-click) menu. May, or may not, need a new file name (best to use a new file name).

Joe