Simple Industrial Pencil Holder

While I was away at university I didn't have many opportunities to use my tools. As a result, my skills got pretty rusty. I designed this project to be a refresher of sorts, to allow me to become re-accustomed to my workshop. It's nice and simple to make, and doesn't take much time at all.

- 10.5" of square steel tube with inner dimensions of 3/8" x 3/8". This will handle basic Bic pens and pencils, but if you have any fancier pens or pencils you may want to use some larger tubing.

- Files

- Hacksaw

- Spray paint (optional)

- 12 gauge steel sheet (not pictured)

- Welder

- Appropriate safety equipment

- Bench vise

- Cut the steel tube into four sections, with each piece 1/4" shorter than the last. I made the sections 3", 2.75", 2.5", and 2.25" long.

- File (or grind) the top and bottom of each piece smooth. Try to stand the pieces up; continue filing the bottoms until the pieces stand straight up without wobbling.

- Cut a 1.5" by 3" rectangle from 12 gauge sheet steel. This will be the base.

- File all the edges smooth.

- By placing the sections of tubing on the base you can get a pretty good idea of what the finished product will look like.

- Arrange the sections of tubing however you like; I chose to set them up in descending/ascending order.

- Make sure the sections of tubing are centered on the base, and use a magnet to hold them in place.

- Weld the tubing to the base. I just used tack welds because I liked the look they produced. I tacked every visible side to the base, and found that this securely attached the tubing.

- I used a wire brush and files to clean up the welds and give the pencil holder a nice industrial look.

- If you want you can paint the pencil holder; however, I regret doing so because I liked the raw, unpainted look better.