Maxy's Hideout: Pencil Holder or Kitchen Utensil Holder

Friday, October 7, 2011

Pencil Holder or Kitchen Utensil Holder

The Desktop Pencil Holder

The Desktop Pencil Holder is an attractive desktop accessory that you can make in no time at all.

Here's an attractive desktop accessory that you can make in no time at all and easily sell for up to $15. Buyers can use them as intended for a pencil holder...or, with deeper and/or larger diameter holes, even to hold kitchen utensils. In fact, you can increase the overall dimensions of the Holder as you see fit, to serve a variety of purposes by simply using a 1-1/2" or 2" grid when drawing your pattern.

Start by transferring the pattern below to a piece of 1/8" or 1/4" masonite or hardboard. Drill a 1/32" through hole in your pattern at each hole centerpoint.
Glue up a 3" x 5" x 8" block of maple, cherry, oak or any hardwood you choose. If you like, you could even use alternating color hardwoods to create an unusual and attractive effect. Trace your pattern onto the top of your block and use a small wire brad and hammer to mark the hole centerpoints. Set your drill press to run at its slowest speed and bore your holes, using brad point bits and Forstner bits.
IMPORTANT: When using large diameter bits to drill these holes, be sure to retract your bit from the holes frequently to remove shavings and keep from burning your workpiece or bit. Overheating Forstner Bits can cause them to lose the temper in their steel and dull more rapidly.

For Pencil Holders, 3-1/2" deep holes are best. For kitchen utensils, 4-1/2" deep holes provide better support.
Next, cut the outer shape on your bandsaw, then sand all outer edges smooth using a drum sander. Since the project is higher than most drum sanders are long, you'll first have to sand with the top on your sander's table, then flip the project over and sand again with its bottom on your sander's table. As an alternative, you could sand the outer shape over the drum end of your stationary belt sander. Bevel the top edges using a belt sander or disc sander, apply the stain and cover finish of your choice, glue a piece of felt to the bottom and head for the craft sales.