Make Wooden Pencils

Intro: Make Wooden Pencils

Quick and easy woodworking project anybody can do with a tablesaw and a router. A perfect way to get rid of the scraps you have lying around.

STEP 1: Cutting Pencil Blanks

Cut two thin strips of your favorite wood. Size doesn't matter yet as we'll be cutting down to size in a later step.

STEP 2: Route Groove

Using a v-groove bit route a very small channel in each piece. This will be used to hold the pencil lead.

STEP 3: Drawing Leads

For the graphite I'm using drawing leads I picked up from Amazon.

STEP 4: Gluing Up

Add plenty of wood glue to each half and insert the drawing lead in the groove.

STEP 5: Clamp It Up

Now clamp tightly and let dry for at least one hour.

STEP 6: Cutting Down to Size

Now you can cut your pencil down to size. I found an existing pencil and used that as my size guide.

STEP 7: Cutting to Length

Then cut the pencil to length. Here in the photo I'm cutting all my pencils at once.

STEP 8: Sanding

Using a jig with adhesive backed sandpaper and two pieces of wood angled at 120°, I sand some angles to create a hexagon shape.

STEP 9: Finishing

Optional: add a coat of polyurethane to bring out the beauty of the wood and add a bit of protection.

STEP 10: Dip in Paint

Optional: Dip the end in white paint for a decorative look. I angled my dip for an added effect.

STEP 11: Sharpen Your Pencil

And finally sharpen away! I did find that some exotic woods are very hard and takes a bit of force to sharpen.

Comments

[125654]

how long does it take to make a pencil

[asergeeva]

These guys look almost too pretty to use! Thanks for sharing :)

[asergeeva]

These guys look almost too pretty to use! Thanks for sharing :)

[Meglymoo87]

That's cool! Fantastic 'ible, too :)

[Jonathanrjpereira]

Awesome

[Jonathanrjpereira]

And that Video was awesome too

[Luke Rodley]

Nice! You could also try putting the pencil in an electric screwdriver and sand it that way as if you were using it on a lathe.

[Yonatan24]

Nice! Your video editing skills are really good!

Only a small problem... Are you even going to use them? Why ruin them? ;)

[JoeB95]

This project will really put lead in your pencil.

[CarmenG19]

I'd love to buy these...I don't suppose you have some to sell? For those of us who are into recycling, it's a brilliant idea for a small business!!!

[CarmenG19]

those of us without a table saw, router or any idea what they are lol kidding but serious about buying!

[stamatis66]

Great, thanks for it.

[eastcoaster53]

hi, great job. it would be good to get some quality lead pieces. the pencils you buy today are usually crap.not like the old days, a good hb pencil would write till it wore down and then you could sharpen them without the lead breaking and falling out. i think i will make some inquiries about good lead lengths and make a few pencils. eastcoaster53

[MTummino]

What kind of router bit did you use? Size?

Great

[kart15]

perfact

[deluges]

Simple and effective. I like it

[gm280]

If you have a jointer, you could angle the jointer fence and get a six-side finish pretty easy. Nice idea and execution anyway.

[Wolfbane221]

really cool!!

[Make Something TV]

Thanks!!

[jessyratfink]

The sanding bit is very clever. Awesome work. :D