Shop Tips & Tricks #28: Pencil Nub Therapy

This is a cool idea for someone wanting a little quick project that will make things easier in the long run.

Here’s what I do. I have a box of 100 of those cheapies you can find sometimes. I sharpen a couple dozen of them then put them in various places around the shop. On my clamp rack, in the depresion rail of my saw, on my drill press, router table, window sill, etc. So, no matter where I am or where I look, there is a pencil. As you walk around they catch your eye everywhere. You eventually develop a habit memory of where one will be. When I use them I try to put it back, if not then I just pick them up after I use them and put them back or put them someplace I’ll see them if I just scan the shop.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful.

Thanks Craftsman -
I, too like to leave several pencils in specific locations around my shop. But, what I like most is to have the pencil tab sticking up out of my shirt, or overall pocket. It’s become almost automatic for me to just reach for the pencil tab.

Oh, and one of the best investments any woodworker can make is is in having one or more electric pencil sharpeners strategically located in the shop. I got mine at Goodwill for $1.50!

Cheers,

Erik

-- "Never let your dogma be run over by your karma!"

You can even scarf the eraser onto the same addition of wood. I used your idea for a scarf jig and then just used my hand saw to cut it. No electricity used or dust thrown into the air.
Thanks for posting!

-- jstegall

what the !

how about I fly a few newies in for you?

-- Regards Rob

what the !

how about I fly a few newies in for you?

Cool pencils!

- robscastle

-- "Never let your dogma be run over by your karma!"

Hey did I tell you the joke about the constipated mathematician?

he needed a pencil to work it out

-- Regards Rob

Hey did I tell you the joke about the constipated mathematician?

he needed a pencil to work it out

- robscastle

A rabbi, a nun and a sailor walk into a bar The bartender says: “What is this? Some kind of joke?”

-- "Never let your dogma be run over by your karma!"

Hey did I tell you the joke about the constipated mathematician?

he needed a pencil to work it out

- robscastle

A rabbi, a nun and a sailor walk into a bar

- GnarlyErik

-- If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD

Hey did I tell you the joke about the constipated mathematician?

he needed a pencil to work it out

- robscastle

A rabbi, a nun and a sailor walk into a bar

- GnarlyErik

So which one ordered the pencil?

- LittleBlackDuck

The submarine.

-- "Never let your dogma be run over by your karma!"

The submarine.

- GnarlyErik

-- If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD

The submarine.

- GnarlyErik

Paul hinted at a yellow one,

Now THAT looks like half a dead cow – or, a halfhearted rude gesture!

- LittleBlackDuck

-- "Never let your dogma be run over by your karma!"

Now THAT looks like half a dead cow – or, a halfhearted rude gesture!

- GnarlyErik

-- If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD

Now THAT looks like half a dead cow – or, a halfhearted rude gesture!

- GnarlyErik

The udder side looks better. The turd finger is hidden.

- LittleBlackDuck

Probably scraping on a chalkboard somewhere – but, on the udder hand maybe it’s just enclosed in a ransom note someplace else . . .

-- "Never let your dogma be run over by your karma!"

They are lovely little pieces of pencil art.
Fine idea.
Best thoughts,
Mads

-- MAD F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect.

They are lovely little pieces of pencil art.
Fine idea.
Best thoughts,
Mads

- mafe

I checked out some of your projects and your shop looks a lot like my own, except maybe a bit neater. I make my own tools, jigs & fixtures too, so I have things stacked and hanging all over the place. Some things are for-one off projects, so sometimes I have to stop and figure out what I originally made a particular jig for.

Keep up the good work!

Erik

-- "Never let your dogma be run over by your karma!"