Clever Ideas For Holding Ink Sample Vials Steady?

[zombywoof]

I'm interested in hearing about simple and effective solutions for holding ink sample vials steady while filling - homemade fixtures, repurposed household items, etc (yes, I just tipped one over on my desk) - what do you use?

[gwgtaylor]

I'm tempted to find someone to drill a hole in a small chunk of wood. Anyone able to help me with that?

[Essensia]

A small plastic storage container filled with sand. I use it for sample vials, ink bottles, pen flush bottles, etc. No drilling necessary.

[gwgtaylor]

A small plastic storage container filled with sand. I use it for sample vials, ink bottles, pen flush bottles, etc. No drilling necessary.

#smart. Now to figure out where to find a small amount of sand with no pee in it

[jacksterp]

I'm tempted to find someone to drill a hole in a small chunk of wood. Anyone able to help me with that?

Just get a small thick sponge and cut an "X" in the center. Stuff your vial in. Should you still manage to spill it, your clean-up crew will be at your fingertips.

[gwgtaylor]

I'm tempted to find someone to drill a hole in a small chunk of wood. Anyone able to help me with that?

Just get a small thick sponge and cut an "X" in the center. Stuff your vial in. Should you still manage to spill it, your clean-up crew will be at your fingertips.

Also a good idea. I still think I want a hunk of wood for pretty factor but till then a sponge is an excellent idea. Thanks!

[tintak]

A good quality, standard sized, spring-loaded clothes pin can easily be clipped onto the bottom of an ink sample vial.
This provides two handy legs on the bottom of the vial & a handle for you. The vial can still tip to the side, but not if something flat & heavy is placed on the clothes pin grips.

For all inking procedures, I always fill my pens on a stainless steel eating tray, found in Indian kitchen supplies stores.
A tray like this will confine most spills.
Lee Valley Tools sell some excellently designed, durable, hard wood clothes pins, ones made to their exacting specifications.
In our kitchen, many of these are used for closing soft package bags, like chips, cereal, clipping cards together, etc,.....
Hope this helps.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Shot glasses. ^^

[alc3261]

I can testify that a vial of Diamine Bilberry makes a big mess on your mid grey carpet..........

[Jon Szanto]

Similar to the block of wood, but less (initial) mess:

Something got shipped to me that had thick, sturdy foam inside for packing (NOT styrofoam). I trimmed a block that was about 6 inches long by about 4 inches wide; the thickness is about 2=3 inches. I took my drill press and put a wood boring bit in it, probably 3/4". I drilled 3 holes nearly all the way through; if you just go slow, it makes a very neat hold.

Now this block resides in my Big Box o' Inks, and when I mess around with the sample vials I just pop it out, plop it on the desk and drop a couple of the vials in. It holds them almost all the way to their cap, and nothing will tip over. Even if a drop spills, it either wipes off the foam or soaks in a bit, either way not being messy, and it doesn't weigh anything in the box.

KISS philosophy in action.

[wastelanded]

A lump of play-doh, vial pressed into the centre, works in a pinch. If there's play-doh in the house, of course.

[GourmetPens]

A lump of play-doh, vial pressed into the centre, works in a pinch. If there's play-doh in the house, of course.

Great idea. Because I'm inexperienced with play-doh, would it dry out and fall apart? I only ask because if so, I won't go and buy a container of play-doh - as fun as that would be. Perhaps modeling clay or something?

[wastelanded]

Great idea. Because I'm inexperienced with play-doh, would it dry out and fall apart? I only ask because if so, I won't go and buy a container of play-doh - as fun as that would be. Perhaps modeling clay or something?

Modelling clay would work just as well. I guess either would dry out eventually, but stored in a ziplock bag it should last a while.

[gwgtaylor]

Ooh, that clay you can bake--Fimo. I found a local friend with a drill this weekend and will have my hunk of wood on Monday hopefully.

[tintak]

drier 3-1.jpgThis is my nib-set drier, made out of a walnut turning blank.
The four small holes (to hold nib-sets & converters) are drilled through for better air circulation.
The flat bottomed center hole is sized for either a pen cap or an ink sample vial.
Please excuse my photo.

[tintak]

Oh,...that's a sample of "Standardgraph Kaffeebraun".
Next in line for a Sailor.
Thanks, Wastelanded!
Tintak

[wastelanded]

This is my nib-set drier, made out of a walnut turning blank.
The four small holes (to hold nib-sets & converters) are drilled through for better air circulation.
The flat bottomed center hole is sized for either a pen cap or an ink sample vial.
Please excuse my photo.

That's a great idea, and serves more than one purpose! I have a piece of 3/4" hardwood I've been thinking about doubling up and making a sample rack out of, but this is a much better idea. There's a lumber company across the street from work, I'll go see what scraps they have. What did you use to finish it?

By the way, the photo is excellent! And thank you as well, the Sailor Blue is lovely and the Yama-guri is in the Dia now, making me want to write something epic.

[tintak]

Walnut oil,....three slooooow drying coats .
Took all of a Winter to complete.
Cheers:
Tintak

[Larry Barrieau]

I know this is an old thread. but I am new at the game. I like samples but they were bothersome on the tabletop so I made this carousel. The advantage over the kind that Goulet and others sell is that the labels for each sample can be read without having to pick one up, put it back in, pick another one up, etc. Just turn the carousel and there they are! This one is only 9 in. in diameter and has room for 23 vials and the center can hold a few ink bottles. It spins on a $5 lazy susan bearing. I made the small 3 vial triangular holder for holding vials while inking or transferring inks into other vials. I was going to paint it but I decided that the ink splotches (which will happen) over the years will make it look cool.

[inlovewithjournals]

Super cool Larry Barrieau! You could sell those.