DigBaddy72
Member
After about 3 months of designs, proofing, re-designing, and a LOT of lessons learned, I am very proud to present this USAF desktop pen holder I finished for a customer.
The back story: Customer would like a unique gift for their son who is receiving his officer's commission in the USAF. They wanted a pen/pencil set and a display stand as well.
The concept: I had the pen ideas already in mind once they mentioned what they wanted. I also knew I wanted to incorporate the USAF logo into the base design. I really like how the logo looks. I also wanted to work with inlays as I had never done that before. My original design was to have the base made of maple with walnut inlays. Then the idea changed to use epoxy inlay. Then the idea changed to use USAF blue in the epoxy. Then the idea changed to have the outline done in silver. Next thing you know, I have the base done!
So, the base is cut from scrap maple that I had laying around. I used my dremel plunge router attachment to route out where I was going to pour the epoxy. Some of it leeched into the fibers of the surrounding wood. To cover that up, I went with the Rub N Buff silver leaf. What I liked about that result is that now the base looks like it is machined from a solid piece of metal. I think it really goes well with the pen and pencil.
I also routed out a place to put the pen and pencil so you can lay it "clip down". In a flash of inspiration, I remembered I had some 1/4" rare earth magnets from when I used to build models. I embedded one in each pen slot so if the customer wishes to, the base can be hung and the pen and pencil will stay in place!
Thanks for looking!
The back story: Customer would like a unique gift for their son who is receiving his officer's commission in the USAF. They wanted a pen/pencil set and a display stand as well.
The concept: I had the pen ideas already in mind once they mentioned what they wanted. I also knew I wanted to incorporate the USAF logo into the base design. I really like how the logo looks. I also wanted to work with inlays as I had never done that before. My original design was to have the base made of maple with walnut inlays. Then the idea changed to use epoxy inlay. Then the idea changed to use USAF blue in the epoxy. Then the idea changed to have the outline done in silver. Next thing you know, I have the base done!
So, the base is cut from scrap maple that I had laying around. I used my dremel plunge router attachment to route out where I was going to pour the epoxy. Some of it leeched into the fibers of the surrounding wood. To cover that up, I went with the Rub N Buff silver leaf. What I liked about that result is that now the base looks like it is machined from a solid piece of metal. I think it really goes well with the pen and pencil.
I also routed out a place to put the pen and pencil so you can lay it "clip down". In a flash of inspiration, I remembered I had some 1/4" rare earth magnets from when I used to build models. I embedded one in each pen slot so if the customer wishes to, the base can be hung and the pen and pencil will stay in place!
Thanks for looking!