Sometimes the perfect solution is to use pieces of things in ways they were never intended. I was struggling with an idea for a way to make a pen holder for a white board for the MultiCam board room. The pens needed to be handy but the holder had to fit into the theme of the room.

I did up a few designs before coming up with one I liked. I’m not quite sure what the contraption is, but I don’t think that really matters too much. The design was sort of worked out on paper, but mostly by cutting and gluing up the pieces. It’s made from a wide variety of materials including MDF, HDU, ABS, PVC, steel pipe, glue and paint. The pens will sit in the fatter section of pipe with the side cut out of it.

I’ll fabricate a ‘pressure gage’ yet and it will sport some LED lights for good measure. It will be painted with a special iron paint that will develop a rust patina when we spray it with acid. It will look instantly old and weathered and fit right in with the rest of the room.

I’ll bet it’s one of the most elaborate pen holders around these parts.

-grampa dan