I thought it was a great idea to keep a handy shop pencil in the miter slot of my router table or table saw, but it would often threaten to roll away, or just got in the way of one activity or another and I’d end up moving it around. I finally came up with a simple solution that works for me.
I took a hunk of 2×3 and drilled 1/2 inch holes in it, nearly all the way through. I then cut the 2×3 to give me a 1-1/2 in x 1-1/2 in block with a hole in it. These I attached in several places in my shop, one by the tablesaw, one by the router station, two on my mobile work bench and one on my drill press stand.
I realize I could still take the pencil far from its home, but at least it will have a home which is better than on top of my workbench.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
6 comments so far
George_SA
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423 posts in 2813 days
#1 posted 07-16-2015 09:09 AM
Good idea, thanks for sharing
-- Sometimes life gets in the way of one's woodworking :)
WoodNSawdust
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1417 posts in 1776 days
#2 posted 07-16-2015 09:22 AM
Good solution for keeping pencils handy.
-- "I love it when a plan comes together" John "Hannibal" Smith
CincyRW
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165 posts in 2250 days
#3 posted 07-16-2015 11:50 AM
What a great, simple idea. I’m constantly hunting for my pencil.
CFrye
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10818 posts in 2440 days
#4 posted 07-16-2015 07:46 PM
Works great, Dave! Put magnets on them and they will stick to the machines, well, if they are steel…
thanks for sharing.
-- God bless, Candy
cebfish
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165 posts in 3288 days
#5 posted 07-16-2015 10:41 PM
thats why the good lord gave you an ear to put your pencil behind
Dave Rutan
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1786 posts in 2788 days
#6 posted 07-16-2015 10:55 PM
I think I have substandard ears.
I put a pencil there, put on my safety glasses and it falls out. Then it won’t fit well. Then when I take the safety wear off to see a measurement it falls out again (the pencil, that is). Plus, my pencil of choice is a stub kept in a copper pencil extender, so it’s end-heavy to boot.
-- Ni faru ion el ligno!
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