Fountain Pen Holder, What Do You Think?

[Slider20]

I like to have multiple pens inked at a time, and wanted a way to also hold the inks I am currently using. Didn't find exactly what I was looking for online. I spent a little time in my garage shop, and made this one out of Elm. Would love to hear everyones thoughts.

 

I have never worked with Elm before, I was given this large piece of wood as a gift, and I sort of forgot about it, it has an interesting look to it.

 

I am a hobbyist woodworker, but if any of you are interested, I post my sone of my work on Instagram under the name

 

queens_woodworker

[stylographile]

Beautiful, and matching, thank you for posting! My perennial problem: how to display my FPs so that I can admire them even when not using, and how to store inks so that they are accessible but not exposed to dust ! For the pens, I like the Levenger case that holds 10 FPs at an angle for a better view; for the inks, I'm still on the look-out for ideas ! ...

[Slider20]

Thanks so much! I actually made the desk and the desk organizer next to it, so I did want to coordinate both of them.

[JonSzanto]

If you are seriously looking for feedback, I would only suggest that it takes up too much desktop real estate for its function. You could easily increase the slope of the angled area, which would make the 'foot' much shorter and not stick out on the desk, while still giving plenty of room on each step for the pens. It would also put the ledge in the back higher and match better with the bookcase unit to its left. Lastly, I might put little rims around the top platform, made out of the same material, so that there is a rim that will keep items from sliding off the top if bumped.

I can't quite believe that is out of a solid piece of ash!

[Slider20]

If you are seriously looking for feedback, I would only suggest that it takes up too much desktop real estate for its function. You could easily increase the slope of the angled area, which would make the 'foot' much shorter and not stick out on the desk, while still giving plenty of room on each step for the pens. It would also put the ledge in the back higher and match better with the bookcase unit to its left. Lastly, I might put little rims around the top platform, made out of the same material, so that there is a rim that will keep items from sliding off the top if bumped.

 

I can't quite believe that is out of a solid piece of ash!

Thanks so much, I am absolutely serious.

 

I don't have the trigonometry worked out exactly, but to have a similar capacity, with a steeper angle the unit would need to be substantially taller/thicker. This may make it look a bit odd, as well as I could not use one solid peice of lumber, I would have needed to laminate a few pieces together, which is not big deal, but I thought it would be nice to make the entire unit out of one solid piece.

 

However, the desk that it was placed on is very deep, so space is not really a concern.

 

Making the back ledge a bit higher is an interesting idea, I really like the lip around the top section with the inks, I think this would have added some visual interest and made the unit a bit more practical.

 

If I ever make another one, I think I will put that lip around the top.

 

Thanks again!

Edited September 22, 2019 by Slider20

[Rancho Gordo]

I think it's great. If you ever wanted to be an entrepreneur, I believe there's a place for you.

[essayfaire]

If you are seriously looking for feedback, I would only suggest that it takes up too much desktop real estate for its function. You could easily increase the slope of the angled area, which would make the 'foot' much shorter and not stick out on the desk, while still giving plenty of room on each step for the pens. It would also put the ledge in the back higher and match better with the bookcase unit to its left. Lastly, I might put little rims around the top platform, made out of the same material, so that there is a rim that will keep items from sliding off the top if bumped.

 

I can't quite believe that is out of a solid piece of ash!

Ditto. It's lovely and functional but would take up to much space. I could build a mock-up out of Kapla blocks to be sure, but it seems terribly deep. I have a keyhole desk on which space is a premium.

[nakiana]

Very nice work. I have never worked with that kind of wood. It really has a nice look to it. Being able to do it out of a single piece makes it look nicer than it would otherwise, so I am glad you were able to do that.

[JonSzanto]

One more thought, just brainstorming here...

After further looking at the desk, I think you have the opportunity with V 2.0 for a really nice set. I would choose to make the pen holder exactly as deep as the bookshelf unit, so that the front edges lined up. Even with a steeper angle you could still (probably) have as many pens, but if your new version used ash pieces instead of one solid block, you'd have one more option: the back part could be made separate and then attached to the ramp, if you wish, but the design element would be to make is a box. The top, where you have ink bottles now, would be a hinged lid, giving access to more storage inside the 'box'. Similar display functions as V 1.0 with a cleaner line to mate with the bookshelf and the bonus of additional storage.

[PAKMAN]

Love it! It would be cool to inset the top part a bit so the ink bottles were sitting down in a depressed area in the block.

[BDarchitect]

Love it! It would be cool to inset the top part a bit so the ink bottles were sitting down in a depressed area in the block.

+1

[Slider20]

I think it's great. If you ever wanted to be an entrepreneur, I believe there's a place for you.

 

Thanks, I certainly hope my current occupation works out for me, but I appreciate the encouragement!

 

Ditto. It's lovely and functional but would take up to much space. I could build a mock-up out of Kapla blocks to be sure, but it seems terribly deep. I have a keyhole desk on which space is a premium.

 

As it stands no, its 3 1/4'' tall and the section with the pens is about 8 inches, I think it would need to be about 6 inches to achieve similar capacity and reduce the section length to 5 1/4''

 

One more thought, just brainstorming here...

 

After further looking at the desk, I think you have the opportunity with V 2.0 for a really nice set. I would choose to make the pen holder exactly as deep as the bookshelf unit, so that the front edges lined up. Even with a steeper angle you could still (probably) have as many pens, but if your new version used ash pieces instead of one solid block, you'd have one more option: the back part could be made separate and then attached to the ramp, if you wish, but the design element would be to make is a box. The top, where you have ink bottles now, would be a hinged lid, giving access to more storage inside the 'box'. Similar display functions as V 1.0 with a cleaner line to mate with the bookshelf and the bonus of additional storage.

 

I like the idea of the back piece not being from the same block, I would rather make a small door on the side than on the top. That way I would not need to take the inks off the top to open.

 

BTW, it's Elm not Ash

 

Love it! It would be cool to inset the top part a bit so the ink bottles were sitting down in a depressed area in the block.

 

Thanks, or an elevated lip. I think at some point I will make a V2

Edited September 23, 2019 by Slider20

[Slider20]

Very nice work. I have never worked with that kind of wood. It really has a nice look to it. Being able to do it out of a single piece makes it look nicer than it would otherwise, so I am glad you were able to do that.

 

Thanks, same here, not any experience with Elm, although the piece I had very large pours and was a challenge to finish. I used Shellac then Lacquer. I think this worked well. Agreed, if I was laminating boards it would have the same impact.

[JonSzanto]

BTW, it's Elm not Ash

 

Argh, sorry. Have no idea how that came into my head! Side door is a cool idea, too - and certainly better for not having to disturb elements on the top.

[bobje]

What I like is the Shaker-like simplicity of the piece, and the way it displays grain. It's feels a bit like type storage cases used by typesetters, and I've never seen a such a large chunk of elm.

[Slider20]

What I like is the Shaker-like simplicity of the piece, and the way it displays grain. It's feels a bit like type storage cases used by typesetters, and I've never seen a such a large chunk of elm.

 

Thanks so much, I was given it as a gift from a friend who was closing down his woodworking business, I think it was intended as a turning blank for a very large bowl, I too have not seen 4 inch thick elm for sale. I am guessing it was from aa small sawmill, definitely not a commercial product.

[inkypete]

G'day Slider20 - that is a beautiful piece. Agree with some that the foot[print may be too big for some desks but you could play with the size and height to shorten that if needed. So nice to see someone make something a little different - I salute you.