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Thread: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

  1. #1
    Senior Member tandaina's Avatar
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    Red face Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    I got a tip this week for a place to find a box that would work to store pens... Harbor Freight Tools.

    So I stopped and found a huge wooden tool chest (frankly the drawers are too shallow for tools and the felt lined wood wouldn't hold up, but whatever). HUGE compared to my poor cigar boxes, which I've far outgrown. Cost $75 with tax. I plan to eventually sand it down and refinish and swap out the rather ugly hardware but the whole thing is great.

    Two big drawers that hold pen trays (I used the premade cut to fit kind) for 25 pens each. Plus 6 smaller trays that can hold pens, OR extra nibs, rehab supplies, eye droppers, etc. Plus a nice deep place under the top lid that holds most of my ink bottles (Noodler's bottles are just a tad too tall. So are the Iroshizuku ink boxes, the bottle might fit but I've kept it in the box.)

    So happy. Was able to corral a pen and ink collection that has been driving my husband NUTS without having to do a bunch of rehab work making something else work for pens. This was simple, a little cutting and measuring for the trays and I was DONE and moved in. If you've got a Harbor Freight Tool and need a cheap storage solution check it out.


    PO3A1757 by JoAndRoses, on Flickr


    PO3A1758 by JoAndRoses, on Flickr


    PO3A1759 by JoAndRoses, on Flickr

    (Front has a panel that pulls up from the bottom and locks over the drawers so the whole thing is neatly secured from curious fingers:


    photo by JoAndRoses, on Flickr

    I'm impressed! Not the most beautiful, but functional, and I'd rather spend money on pens than on the (beautiful) $$$$ dedicated pen furniture.

    Yay!
    ---
    Current pen rotation: way too many!

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  3. #2
    MisterBoll
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    What a great suggestion. Looks really good.

    Here is a link to their web site - http://www.harborfreight.com/eight-d...est-94538.html

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  5. #3
    jor412
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    That's a fantastic purchase and great idea. I hope I can find something like that. I assume you put in the mirror and green felt lining. What was it originally lined with?

  6. #4
    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Nope, that model has been around for a few years, and the felt and mirror are the way it comes. Tandaina, are those the pen trays from Pendora?
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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  8. #5
    jor412
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Oh I see. Well what an odd tool chest then. Maybe it was intended for make up. Whatever. Looks great for pens and inks.

  9. #6
    Senior Member cedargirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    That looks very useful for pens and paraphernalia.
    ... Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working [Pablo Picasso] ...

  10. #7
    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Quote Originally Posted by jor412 View Post
    Oh I see. Well what an odd tool chest then. Maybe it was intended for make up. Whatever. Looks great for pens and inks.
    A little bit of trivia: those Harbor Freight toolboxes are knock-offs of very similar models that have been made for over 100 years by the company Gerstner. A quick search about that setup revealed the following from somewhere on the company information pages:

    The Question for this issue comes from Mr. E. K. Morley of Boone, North Carolina.
    He wrote, “What is the historical purpose of the mirror mounted inside the chest top lid?”

    The Company Response:
    The mirror was first installed in the early 1900’s on some of the very earliest Gerstner chest designs. In those days, very few manufacturing and/or tool & die companies had indoor plumbing. In other words, there were few companies with lavatories (with wash basins and mirrors) for toolmakers and other factory workers to use to clean up at the end of the day.

    The “mirror” mounted inside a Gerstner tool chest provided the wherewithal for the chest owner to check his appearance and comb his hair before heading home (or, perhaps, going in to ask the boss for a raise). At various times over the years, we have introduced a few tool chests without including a mirror. Interestingly enough, the feedback from customers has been, “Without a mirror, the chest doesn’t look like a Gerstner.” So . . . you may notice that virtually all new model Gerstners feature a “mirror” inside the tip lid.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Well done Tanaina a simple and elegant solution to your storage needs.
    I wish there was a Harbour Freight in the UK.
    The old ones sell for high prices at auction here I have watched many rise above my budget.
    I will just have to keep looking.

  13. #9
    Senior Member 79spitfire's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Quote Originally Posted by jor412 View Post
    Oh I see. Well what an odd tool chest then. Maybe it was intended for make up. Whatever. Looks great for pens and inks.
    The original chests were intended for precision type tools, such as those used for measuring, Micrometers, Calipers and the like, hence the felt lining, to protect those very expensive tools.
    Wanted: Clever signature
    Apply in person....

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    Senior Member Tony Rex's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    For international shipping rates on your order, please contact our Call Center at 1-800-423-2567.

    Problem is, we can't call US 1-800 number.

    "Hey Fred, ever wonder why we never get an overseas order?"

    "Beats me."

  16. #11
    MisterBoll
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Quote Originally Posted by Tony Rex View Post
    For international shipping rates on your order, please contact our Call Center at 1-800-423-2567.

    Problem is, we can't call US 1-800 number.

    "Hey Fred, ever wonder why we never get an overseas order?"



    "Beats me."
    You can email them about international orders - internationalorders@harborfreight.com

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  18. #12
    Senior Member AndyT's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    I always wanted a Gerstner type tool box for my measuring and marking tools (I'm a cabinet maker), but never found the time to make one. They're not so well known in the UK. I'm sure I remember reading of small caches of banknotes being found behind the mirror in old boxes. Seems like a very elegant solution for storing a good sized collection of pens.

  19. #13
    Senior Member tandaina's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    It came with the mirror and green felt!
    ---
    Current pen rotation: way too many!

  20. #14
    Senior Member tandaina's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    The only 'drawback'? My pens have been scattered all over the place until now in little caches.... I got all moved in and my husband just stared: 'I didn't know you had THAT many pens'

    Oops.
    ---
    Current pen rotation: way too many!

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  22. #15
    Senior Member manoeuver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    that is far more beautiful than my industrial looking Husky tool box drawer-thingy.

    thing is I looked at Harbor Freight for such a beast without luck before I got my black metal box at Home Depot (facepalm)

  23. #16
    Senior Member carlos.q's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Quote Originally Posted by manoeuver View Post
    that is far more beautiful than my industrial looking Husky tool box drawer-thingy.
    Oh, so you got one looking something like this:
    Attached Images Attached Images

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  25. #17
    Senior Member Nomdeplume's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Source for the inserts?
    FPGeeks= Nomdeplume
    FPN= mbankirer
    PenTrace= mb

    Happy Writing!

  26. #18
    Senior Member 79spitfire's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Quote Originally Posted by carlos.q View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by manoeuver View Post
    that is far more beautiful than my industrial looking Husky tool box drawer-thingy.
    Oh, so you got one looking something like this:
    That looks pretty darn good too!
    Wanted: Clever signature
    Apply in person....

  27. #19
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    That's a thing of beauty!
    --------------------------------
    I am but a simple caveman.

  28. #20
    Senior Member carlos.q's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pen Storage (BIG and cheap)

    Quote Originally Posted by Nomdeplume View Post
    Source for the inserts?
    PLASTIS ice cube tray. Errr... the one on the left
    99 cents at IKEA (Not affiliated at all, not an IKEA stock holder and I'm definitely not Swedish!!!)

    icecubetray.jpg
    Last edited by carlos.q; June 2nd, 2013 at 04:18 PM.

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