Thread: Putting lead in my pencil

Brendan,
I think they are made in two halves, a groove is cut in both faces the "lead' is placed in the groove and then the halves are glued together.

Not sure it's the sort of thing you can do on a lathe

Ian

Just googled it - see here - http://science.howstuffworks.com/question4651.htm

Well there goes that idea. Thanks for the research Ian.

Brendan,
I don't make round things out of square ones but I don't see why you couldn't make up blanks as the pen makers do and then turn them up after you have glued the halves together . I guess the trick would be sourcing the graphite cores.

Ian

Uness of course you buy a bunch of pencils, split 'em open, take the graphite core out and....then.....make .....some.....pencils???

If you want the whole story try to get the book "The Pencil - A History of Design and Circumstance" by Henry Petroski. It is an interesting read.

Yeah redit - written in biro wasn't it?

"Leads" for mechanical drafting pencils used to be readily available from any office supply store. But that was in a previous life. Unknown if mechanical drafting pencils are still in regular use.

Just for fun.


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Originally Posted by Texian

Unknown if mechanical drafting pencils are still in regular use.

That all I use, you need them if you use Incra T rules

How about making a blank like a pen blank,insert a pencil with glue then turn it. You may have to sand off the paint first but should be doable. The new pencil will be a tad thicker than the original.
Regards
John

A few years ago my eldest got a pencil making kit from one of the aunts. Piece of lead and two half wooden pencil sides (?) anyway the idea was to glue them together. So I imagine you can get the leads somewhere. Of course you can get thin leads ie .5 and .7 mm from any stationer

043Turning up past newcastle sell a shop pencil kit here I can't remember if they sell the lead inserts but may - just saw them $4. You have to log in to see pricing

Penstate in the US also sell a shop pencil kit, you can buy thick lead for them here

2mm Replacement Lead at Penn State Industries These are 2mm size... as close to a regular pencil you can find... easily...

At my local Dulux paint dealer they have rubberised pencils, 10mm x 4mm x 250mm. cut easily with a sharp knife.

Thanks everyone for the help and great suggestions; more than I expected.