Mechanical Pencils (and some pens) have vulnerable tips...

**myu** · February 17th, 2019, 08:16 PM

When a pen or pencil condom comes in handy.

**Chrissy** · February 18th, 2019, 04:07 AM

That is a very good idea.

Where can I get them?

**milkb0at** · February 18th, 2019, 05:10 AM

Ha. Better than a Bic lid. Is is some kind of heat shrink?

**azkid** · February 18th, 2019, 09:54 AM

Looks like automotive vacuum line caps.

**myu** · February 18th, 2019, 10:04 AM

These are a kind of rubber/vinyl end cap that's installed on rods or pegs to "smooth out" the ends. Many different applications. I had one size of these, just a few left over from something that I kept (I keep all kinds of little things used for my free-associating mind's toolbox of solutions). One day, the thought occurred to me that it might fit over a mechanical pencil. And it did. Not all, though. And then I went on-line (eBay) and started searching. They come in a wide range of sizes. I bought 4 mm to 8 mm. You can get these rather cheaply (like around $1 USD for 10~20), depending upon your source (some charge $0.99 for only 2).
Search on "End Cap Thread Waterproof Cover Vinyl Rubber Steel Pole Tube Pipe".

They have a little of that "condom" look when installed, so that inspired the photo joke.