I use a calligraphy pen with interchangeable nibs when I am drawing and I tend to lose concentration when I have to dig through my nibs to find the right size. It is also very frustrating to find out that one of my nibs has been damaged from bouncing against another one. So I devised this simple wall-mountable magnetic holder to save my sanity and keep me productive.

Step 1: Supplies Used

1 Length of aluminum channel (I used 3/4" x 3/8" with an inside channel of 1/4")
Neodymium magnets (pulled from Magnetix building toys)
Glue gun with glue sticks
Hacksaw (to cut the aluminum)
Drill with 3/16" bit

The length of the aluminum is dependent on how long you want your holder to be and how many nibs you plan on storing on it. Aluminum was used because it is softer than the nibs and will not mar them. Brass could also be used (I didn't because I don't like to look of brass)

How many magnets you need is also dependent upon how many nibs you plan on storing and how long your aluminum is. I found it works best if you use 1 magnet per nib spaced 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart.

I used hot glue because it is easy to use, easy to remove and cheap. You could use epoxy if you choose or even caulk but those all have long drying times.

Step 2: Mount Your Magnets.

Lay your first magnet flat side down inside the channel and cover with hot-glue (polarity is not important)

IMPORTANT--Let the glue dry/cool before you lay the next magnet down as they will attract each other and lose their positions and likely make a mess when you try to fix them.

Step 3: Final Thoughts

I drilled holes on each end so I could mount this on the wall next to my drafting desk.

If you pour enough glue in so that it is just over the sides of the channel walls it will prevent is from sliding if you set it on an inclined desk.

The magnets were placed inside of the track so that their power was diminished slightly. If you set a nib directly on a neodyme it will magnetize it and in time start to flatten it out or at least pinch the ink channel closes or pull it apart.