Mark Meckes
31st December 2001, 05:20 AM
While searching for a pen that could be used to write plant names on bamboo garden stakes, I met a grower who was using a wax based pen to write on plastic labels, It's also called a grease marker or china marker. The pen comes with replaceable leads ...
He didn't have an extra pen, but gave me some spare leads, so I went home and proceeded to make the pen from bamboo.
Though a simple version would be to just stick a lead snugly into a bamboo tube, I ended up making a fancier model.
It turned out to be quite involved, requiring 5 pieces of different sized bamboo that fit into each other.
Fortunately I have lots of bamboo pieces to pick through.
Bamboo Marking Pen
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/3052/thumbs/PenWx011228-085.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1598) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/3052/thumbs/PenWx011228-084.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1597)
The pieces required (as shown in photo):
1) Pen Cap - can also fit on other end of pen, while in use
2) Lead Holder
3) Push Stick - Fits inside pen to push the lead out further as it wears down.
4) End Stop/Cap Holder - secures the inner workings.
5) Pen Outer Body
6) Extra Leads
From the lead manufacturer ... Listo (http://www.listo.com/pencil.htm)
This marker, commonly referred to as a grease or china marker, will write on just about any surface, even under water. It will wipe off of any slick, non-porous surface, such as glass, with a dry cloth. It is completely non-toxic, making it safe for use around food. ...
Strong, thick wax base lead for big, bold marking. Writes on metal, wood, glass, plastics, paper — almost any surface imaginable. Wipes off with cloth or tissue.
~ Mark
He didn't have an extra pen, but gave me some spare leads, so I went home and proceeded to make the pen from bamboo.
Though a simple version would be to just stick a lead snugly into a bamboo tube, I ended up making a fancier model.
It turned out to be quite involved, requiring 5 pieces of different sized bamboo that fit into each other.
Fortunately I have lots of bamboo pieces to pick through.
Bamboo Marking Pen
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/3052/thumbs/PenWx011228-085.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1598) http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/3052/thumbs/PenWx011228-084.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1597)
The pieces required (as shown in photo):
1) Pen Cap - can also fit on other end of pen, while in use
2) Lead Holder
3) Push Stick - Fits inside pen to push the lead out further as it wears down.
4) End Stop/Cap Holder - secures the inner workings.
5) Pen Outer Body
6) Extra Leads
From the lead manufacturer ... Listo (http://www.listo.com/pencil.htm)
This marker, commonly referred to as a grease or china marker, will write on just about any surface, even under water. It will wipe off of any slick, non-porous surface, such as glass, with a dry cloth. It is completely non-toxic, making it safe for use around food. ...
Strong, thick wax base lead for big, bold marking. Writes on metal, wood, glass, plastics, paper — almost any surface imaginable. Wipes off with cloth or tissue.
~ Mark