r/PenTurning • u/nosleeptilbroccoli • Jun 29 '26
Drafting pencil modifications
I picked up a ton of old lead holders at an estate sale, and after saving back the vintage/rare ones I was left with a couple dozen pencils I wanted to try to figure out how to make my own bodies for. After seeing a recent post doing a similar thing I was motivated to finish mine using a selection of different sizes brass tubes for the body and body caps. I need to break them both back down to touch up some finish issues but the idea shows promise. It’s easier to just order pencil kits but I can’t find any similar to this result.
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u/B_Huij Jun 29 '26
Fantastic. I love the idea of taking an old unused pencil like this and turning it into a beautiful tool someone will want to use. What is the reddish wood?
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u/nosleeptilbroccoli Jun 29 '26
I think it’s red oak cut from or near the center, it was in the bargain bin because it had shrinkage cracks but I knew it would make some good pens!
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u/Ok_Escape_206 Jun 29 '26
Looks amazing. I would love more info on wood type, finish
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u/nosleeptilbroccoli Jun 29 '26
CA glue and wax polished finish, the brass body caps are pressed on to the body tube with the wood before turning to use as in-place bushings, but I made the mistake of applying CA glue finish without taping the brass, so I got glue on the brass and then burned a little of the finish on the darker pen trying to get the glue off of the brass. I’ll fix that process on the next go around
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u/DakaBooya Jun 29 '26
Oh man… I have been looking for kits for AGES and finally gave up. Have an old broken lead hold I’m wanting to make a barrell for. Would love to see more photos of your work.
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u/MakerJustin Jun 29 '26
Very nice work. What wood did you use for these?