A B-Day Gift For My Son

[JD Combs Sr]

My Son saw a previous rebar pen I had made and asked if I could make him one as a pencil.

Somehow in a way that I don't completely understand he uses a lead pencil as a test device on newly manufactured Toyotas. I told him sure and here is the result.

3/8" rebar with only a waxed and polished finish. Before drilling I turned the "blank" down to expose bare metal on all of the little raised features and to give the pen a smoother feel. I drilled it to match the ID of a 7mm tube then simply installed Propel Pencil hardware in 0.5mm lead size.

 

[Janster]

nicely done!

 

[johncrane]

Looks Awesome JD when using rebar do you end up with a heavier pen, i did see a recent post where a heavier pen was needed, this could be the right mix.

 

[JD Combs Sr]

nicely done!

Thanks Jan.

Looks Awesome JD when using rebar do you end up with a heavier pen, i did see a recent post where a heavier pen was needed, this could be the right mix.

Thanks John, yes it tends to the heavy side but I don't think it is excessive. I recall the post you are referring to, could be just the solution.

 

[PaulDoug]

Who woulda thunk! I've seen rebar pens before and They didn't excite me much, but this is really a nice looking pencil and a pen would be just as nice. Great work.

 

[mredburn]

I agree that looks great with the smoothing of the ridges. Nicely done.

 

[ossaguy]

I'll bet it was a challenge to drill the hole!

That's a really cool pen.







Steve

 

[Jim15]

That's a great pencil.

 

[JD Combs Sr]

Who woulda thunk! I've seen rebar pens before and They didn't excite me much, but this is really a nice looking pencil and a pen would be just as nice. Great work.

Thanks Paul, I know what you mean. I also like this rebar for its zig-zag pattern. Most of the patterns are parallel which in it's self has less character. I actually purchased a new piece of rebar for this pen and after getting it turned down to where I wanted it I noticed it was of the parallel variety. I really wanted my sons pen to be the zz style and luckily found a piece long enough left over from the previous pen.

I agree that looks great with the smoothing of the ridges. Nicely done.

Thanks Michael, I don't really care for the feel of the "high" ridges so I typically turn them down to about 0.004 to 0.006 above the valley floors. They are still detectable but not obtrusive. It also gives them a nice highlighting shine.:biggrin:

I'll bet it was a challenge to drill the hole!
That's a really cool pen.
Steve

Thanks Steve and yes the hole is a challenge. I drill it from both ends because I don't have a drill long enough. I keep my fingers cross that the two drillings meet concentrically in the center.:wink:

That's a great pencil.

Thanks Jim, always appreciate compliments.

 

[Alzey]

Great looking pencil. Rebar has been on my to do list for some time. Where did you get the .5 pencil mechanism?

 

[CrimsonKeel]

Im pretty sure your son does a Pencil hardness test on the paint. basically you rub a certain hardness of lead on the paint to see if it scratches.

I also love your rebar idea for a pen. and it ended up looking really cool looking great job

 

[Wraith]

Love the look of it. Hard to believe it is a piece of rebar.

 

[JD Combs Sr]

Great looking pencil. Rebar has been on my to do list for some time. Where did you get the .5 pencil mechanism?

Thanks Alzey, I am not sure but I believe I pulled it from a Slimline Pro pencil kit. The Propel Pencil kit I used had a 0.7mm mechanism in it so I just switched them. Other then lead size they were identical.

Im pretty sure your son does a Pencil hardness test on the paint. basically you rub a certain hardness of lead on the paint to see if it scratches. I also love your rebar idea for a pen. and it ended up looking really cool looking great job

Thanks for the info Ben and thanks for the compliment. I believe he did mention a scratch test.

Love the look of it. Hard to believe it is a piece of rebar.

Thanks Brian, after you have been drilling for about 15 minutes you definitely know it is rebar.