Evening Everyone,
I got bored waiting on my Redline spindle so I decided to check out what else a CNC could do without one. I landed on drawing and checked out some of the pen holders out there. I didnt love the whole package of any of them so I designed my own. The biggest thing I didnt enjoy with most of them was the vertical travel from the spring wouldnt be consistent or would bind.
Features of my design include:
100mm linear rail for the pen to glide on so it has buttery smooth vertical motion
Adjustable spring load for varying pressure based on writing utensil
Ability to hold anything cylindrical up to 9/16th" (pens, pencils, paint brushes)
Would this be something any of you folks would pay for? I see people selling their designs and physical items like this.
I would like to install a sharpie in my machine. Your system looks pretty slick. It attaches to the 4 mounting holes on the front of the spindle mount?
If your product was aligned with what I am looking for, I would consider buying one.
I would however prefer one that somehow slips into a 1/2" collet, and is inline with the spindle.
For me, the real estate around the spindle is at a premium. Dust collector, Misting head, and eventually laser leave little room for additional accessories.
It sure does attach to those front 4 mounting points.
I might review and see if I can make something that works in the collet once I get my spindle in and can test it first hand. I will say it will definitely impact the length of writing utensil you can use but its a price for convenience.
Following what I see others doing I would probably sell the digital files (.3mf) for $7, this will include if you want me to make some size tweaks. I was hoping to get some suggestions on what folks would pay for it.
If you are asking about the price of the holder itself fully assembled and shipped it would probably be right around $50
A few notes:
All nuts are countersunk and fully captured on the back side
Pen holder is designed with threads for M5 bolts (see below list)
The spring is captured in a recess on BOTH sides to restrict possible deflection
Complete parts list needed if you print:
(1) 100mm MGN9 linear rail
(2) M3x10mm this holds linear rail and you could use 5 maximum
(4) M3x6mm
(2) M3x18mm
(4) M3 nuts
(2) M5x20mm
(4) M5 bolts for attachment to spindle mount
(2) 4mm diameter springs from some Paper Mate InkJoy Pens.
I can provide Amazon links to all products if you would like as well.
If I wanted a spirograph pattern. Wait, not if, I DO want a spirograph pattern. I would be doing it in a vector design program and just importing the shape to vectric or carveco. I dont think you could make the patterns in either in a reasonable amount of effort.
Inkscape, on the other hand, has an extension just for this.
Extensions → Render → Spirograph…
Plus using the toolpath as the warm up routine would just be cool.
