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castinwood
December 12th, 2016, 01:55 PM
Greetings,
I construct fountain pen display and storage cases out of old wooden cigar boxes. I am looking for a source of corrugated plastic felted liners or inserts for the boxes. In the past I have purchased from Gary at www.gopens.com, however I have found that the tray liners sold by Pendora are a better size for my use. Unfortunately, it seems that Pendora in no longer in business. Does anyone out there know more about where I can buy Pendora liners or any other sources of felted tray inserts for fountain pens. Any information would be appreciated.

J.M. Casteline
"castinwood"

Jon Szanto
December 12th, 2016, 02:06 PM
AFAIK, Michelle had those pen liners made for her, they were not an already manufactured item. I've used them too, and it is a shame they aren't available any more. At the moment, I only know of those from Gary, but will do some searching as I find them handy. I often make my own liners, as well, which is more time consuming, but sometimes it works out better.

If I find any other options I'll respond back to this thread.

frmamede
December 12th, 2016, 03:52 PM
AFAIK, Michelle had those pen liners made for her, they were not an already manufactured item. I've used them too, and it is a shame they aren't available any more. At the moment, I only know of those from Gary, but will do some searching as I find them handy. I often make my own liners, as well, which is more time consuming, but sometimes it works out better.

If I find any other options I'll respond back to this thread.

DIY pen trays? I'm in! Do you have a thread on it? If not, could you elaborate on the process? :) Tks!

KrazyIvan
December 12th, 2016, 08:23 PM
I've made my own trays for a metal cabinet I was given by my wife. I used Ray Blakes YouTube video to make my trays.


https://youtu.be/sFcSSdJjcl0

Here's how mine came out:

https://scontent-dft4-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/e35/13534293_539769569544344_1707439749_n.jpg

Jon Szanto
December 13th, 2016, 12:55 AM
The video KI just shared is essentially the same way I've started doing my own liners. At the moment, all of the drawers I've lined are from storage boxes, so I haven't had to create a "container" around them. Here is a fairly wide drawer:

http://i.imgur.com/HZ0QNn6l.jpg

I've previously made cigar box cases as well, and it was a bit before I did the 'accordion fold' manner. The following box uses a card stock form that I made, and then covered in felt. There is a separate upper tray that lifts out to access the lower pens:

http://i.imgur.com/oy0Ltdol.jpg

I only have a few of the Pendora tray liners left, which I want to reserve for certain projects, as they certainly make things look neat and pro:

http://i.imgur.com/cxoHf2xl.jpg

Chrissy
December 13th, 2016, 02:51 AM
Wow! Thanks guys, I'm really impressed. :applause::hail:

migo984
December 13th, 2016, 05:50 AM
Here's a link to a post in the Snail Mail Forum showing how we made trays for sets of Muji acrylic drawers. Easy to adapt to any size. Cheap & effective and the felt provides good protection for the pens.

http://s-mail.proboards.com/post/1588

frmamede
December 13th, 2016, 09:00 AM
YEAH BABY! :rockon: My DIY mojo is up and running! Gonna start shopping for materials this week! Thanks for the great ideias!

Nomdeplume
December 13th, 2016, 11:41 AM
Pen Trays at Gopens.com
Not to deter any of you who are going to make your own trays...but, Gopens.com has cut-to-fit in several colors.

Not allegiance or relationship...just a satisfied customer!

migo984
December 13th, 2016, 12:41 PM
Pen Trays at Gopens.com
Not to deter any of you who are going to make your own trays...but, Gopens.com has cut-to-fit in several colors.

Not allegiance or relationship...just a satisfied customer!

But very expensive for shipping, if you're outside the US.

Nomdeplume
December 13th, 2016, 01:15 PM
To avoid shipping, maybe you can find these trays at a hobby shop locally? You'll support a local business and get what you want!

Jon Szanto
December 13th, 2016, 01:57 PM
Pen Trays at Gopens.com
Not to deter any of you who are going to make your own trays...but, Gopens.com has cut-to-fit in several colors.

Not allegiance or relationship...just a satisfied customer!

Yes, as noted in the OP. Gary's trays are - at the moment - seeming to be the only item available. And spendy when sent overseas (we have a global community here).


To avoid shipping, maybe you can find these trays at a hobby shop locally? You'll support a local business and get what you want!

I've never seen anything like pen tray liners in any stores. I keep checking the usual places (crafts stores, interior/storage companies), but nothing so far.

kevmid
December 13th, 2016, 02:17 PM
I also have not found any pen trays or similar in craft shops or online and I am in the U.S, so this is a useful option.
Maybe other cigar box pen tray makers use a similar technique?

So far have used Gary's trays cut to fit the 8" square clear Ferrero Rocher boxes. (I force myself to eat the choccies first). Turned upside down they make a good clear display box although I know my pens deserve more.

stonerman33
December 13th, 2016, 05:48 PM
1" acoustic foam. Can be sourced on amazon for relatively cheap. Works great for pen drawers, just cut to fit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

frmamede
December 13th, 2016, 07:02 PM
I was looking for pen trays here in my city last week, and didn't find any. Not local stores, or the web. That's actually why I got so excited about the DIY... :)
But I still want professional trays for nicer looking presentation. Next year I'll probably buy something from the US (I really want a TWISBI and a Nock Co pouch), and include some trays.

Jon Szanto
December 13th, 2016, 07:19 PM
1" acoustic foam. Can be sourced on amazon for relatively cheap. Works great for pen drawers, just cut to fit.

I have no idea how these panels react over time, but one of the biggest hassles in 40 years of playing percussion is the breakdown of foam components in packing and instrument cases. Everything seems fine, and then one day you open it up, take out a prized snare drum, and the foam has become a sticky residue. A real mess, and this is with quality cases. The nature of the acoustic panels may be different, though, and this foam won't become a gunky holder for nice pens. At least that is what I'd hope.

stonerman33
December 13th, 2016, 07:34 PM
1" acoustic foam. Can be sourced on amazon for relatively cheap. Works great for pen drawers, just cut to fit.

I have no idea how these panels react over time, but one of the biggest hassles in 40 years of playing percussion is the breakdown of foam components in packing and instrument cases. Everything seems fine, and then one day you open it up, take out a prized snare drum, and the foam has become a sticky residue. A real mess, and this is with quality cases. The nature of the acoustic panels may be different, though, and this foam won't become a gunky holder for nice pens. At least that is what I'd hope.

In talking with the guys from KarasKustoms, this is what they use in their parts drawers and to hold assembled pens. I would think if anyone would turn it into a sticky mess, it would be the machine shop. That said, I may take a scrap piece of it and split it up into sample vials with assorted inks added to it to see if they have any adverse reactions over a period of time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jarc
February 25th, 2017, 12:09 PM
Here is my display box.

Bought the case (about £11.00 GB). Glass top faux leather type lining material. Constructed the interior myself. This was the Mk. 3, interior and best so far.
As some of you will be aware I have only been involved in collecting fountain pens since January this year. I may be better known for not being very technology minded and unable to handle the intricacies of this forum and upload photos. Am getting there with the help of several members on this forum to whom I am very grateful.
Regards.

45ist
February 27th, 2017, 04:53 AM
Looks good - may I ask what you used for the interior?

amk
February 27th, 2017, 08:41 AM
It's not just percussionists. I found a lovely blackwood treble recorder with half a foam box melted on to it - took a fair bit of scraping and rubbing to get the muck off without scratching the wood. A friend had the same experience with a clarinet.

I use little wooden rests for my pen boxes, or cardboard covered with cloth or paper. Two wooden bars with the pen hollows taken out with a rasp, and the edges rounded over with a file, leave no hard edges to damage the pens. Cardboard 'accordions' hold the pens rather more positively which is better if you're going to be moving the box around.

jarc
February 28th, 2017, 03:57 AM
Looks good - may I ask what you used for the interior?

Interior is constructed with cardboard (thin corrugated I find best) and Then covered with felt, which is adhered with Pritt Stick glue (pinched my for year old grand daughters craft bits and pieces). Laugh as you wish but having tried several glues I find this is the most successful for this job.
Top and bottom sections are made up into an oblong section (in this case 2.5 cms square) and then covered with grey felt.
Pen sections are made with cardboard (usually use thin breakfast cereal boxes which can be folded to whatever width you so wish. The side sections on the pen slots are usually scored in 2 x 1 cms and then glued together. The actual pen section width needs to vary depending on what pens you are storing. E.G. A Parker Frontier is a lot bigger in circumference than a Parker 45. However the Frontier is shorter in length than the 45. I am just making a separate tray for a collection of Frontiers and am making the bottom section 2 cms in width, by the time the felt is adhered in place this will house the Frontier quite nicely.

I did, by the way, replace my g/daughters glue and bought some extra.

Patent applied for. ?????????? :)

Regards.

MY63
February 28th, 2017, 12:20 PM
I have made a few pen storage trays for a variety of boxes I have made and also boxes I have converted to pen storage I thought I would share my method for those who would like to have a go themselves.
I start with the largest pen size and work out the dimensions from there. I often mark out the sizes with masking tape.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8239/8665372876_6ccb67830c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ecJisC)IMG_9797 (https://flic.kr/p/ecJisC) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

The first step is to cut the four sides with mitres the sizes of the wood are dependant on the size and numbers of pens if you are repurposing a box then this will limit the size of the tray.

The mitred pieces are all laid out end to end long side up. Then I use masking tape over each joint before the final end is brought together I applied glue to the joints and taped up the last end.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7281/8744410311_bb44fcc80a_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ejHox2)IMG_3582 (https://flic.kr/p/ejHox2) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8096/8514656001_bb2118212f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dYpQzP)IMG_9902 (https://flic.kr/p/dYpQzP) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

If you have the equipment you can cut a rebate in the bottom to allow the base to fit inside the edge I prefer plywood for the base but mdf would also work.

This principle can also be used for larger boxes. I made this box and its three trays some time ago.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8509/8531325269_f69e2962a0_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/dZTgLZ)IMG_9968 (https://flic.kr/p/dZTgLZ) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr.

Now that you have trays there are a number of ways to make them pen friendly. The first method was shared with me by Henry Simpole the Penman it is quite difficult to show the profile of the wood but I will try the outside angle is 90 degrees the inside is rounded

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8530/8591383725_36cf100018_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/e6c64B)IMG_0267 (https://flic.kr/p/e6c64B) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

Two pieces are glued together to create a channel, As the edges are equal sizes I often sanded down the bottom edge so they would take up less space. They were then glued to a piece of card.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8234/8598844678_7dc78cc5ab_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/e6RjWJ)IMG_0289 (https://flic.kr/p/e6RjWJ) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

Here is the covered tray

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8373/8600011156_d2ec22d209_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/e6XiGq)IMG_0307 (https://flic.kr/p/e6XiGq) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

Here is the finished box with these trays fitted

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8118/8709909119_7e9f23d58a_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/egEywT)IMG_0495 (https://flic.kr/p/egEywT) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

I will add the second method in another post.

MY63
February 28th, 2017, 12:41 PM
My second and preferred method has been developed over time and many trays.

I use wooden dowels in different sizes depending on the size of the pens to be stored in the tray.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7362/9672576904_9753a17f27_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/fJJu8j)IMG_4792 (https://flic.kr/p/fJJu8j) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

Here you can see my layout board if I am making more than one tray that need to be the same this is how I do it

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7362/9672576904_9753a17f27_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/fJJu8j)IMG_4792 (https://flic.kr/p/fJJu8j) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

They fit in the tray like this.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7302/9672582758_acaf20c29e_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/fJJvSf)IMG_4797_1 (https://flic.kr/p/fJJvSf) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

I then take a second piece of card and dampen it slightly and using a larger dowel I press it into the gaps.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3802/9672584472_fc423855d1_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/fJJwnN)IMG_4799_1 (https://flic.kr/p/fJJwnN) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

I prefer to use suede for my trays it is more expensive than felt or baize but I think it is better.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3796/9672579488_57235bf426_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/fJJuTS)IMG_4794_1 (https://flic.kr/p/fJJuTS) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

After trimming it is glued in place here are the completed trays fitted into a repurposed cutlery box.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5465/9669365489_dba57b9069_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/fJs2u6)IMG_4805_1 (https://flic.kr/p/fJs2u6) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

I hope someone may find this useful.

Michael

jarc
February 28th, 2017, 12:46 PM
Very impressive box. Well done.

jarc
March 4th, 2017, 11:00 AM
Very impressive box. Well done.

Would it be possible to ask you the size`s of the dowel that you used to produce these trays.
Many thanks.
Regards.

Lunaelsol
June 15th, 2017, 01:52 AM
the Dowels are a great idea! will try it with chopsticks.

Jon Szanto
June 15th, 2017, 01:58 AM
I'm also thinking that plastic drinking straws would work as well and be more cost-effective, too. I might try that for grins.

MY63
June 15th, 2017, 11:29 AM
Very impressive box. Well done.

Would it be possible to ask you the size`s of the dowel that you used to produce these trays.
Many thanks.
Regards.

Sorry I missed this question about the size of dowels, I usually use 5 mm dowels for my trays although I would consider using larger dowels for larger pens.
I am in the process of making a new box for large pens. this is the outside

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4238/34483317064_35ec9ac168_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Uxb1Mo)20170614_142256[1] (https://flic.kr/p/Uxb1Mo) by my0771 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/47080473@N07/), on Flickr

Thanks

Michael