Pen trays

[MY63]

I sometimes make boxes for pens or adapt existing boxes for pen storage. I have tried a number of ways to make pen trays but have not found an ideal way of making them.

I currently use dowels stuck to card like this.

IMG_6333 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_6374_1 by my0771, on Flickr

I have also used an adapted corner moulding which I sanded to almost zero on the lower edge

IMG_0289 by my0771, on Flickr

IMG_3510_1 by my0771, on Flickr

Both of these methods are very labour intensive my current project requires a 16mm gap for the pen and 5mm between. I could mould them from 1mm thick Kydex if I could make a form both male and female.

It is not a huge tray around 230mm x 180mm but I need to make 8 of them the same so if anyone has any ideas how I can make them I would appreciate it.

 

[StevieB]

Router - cut grooves into a piece of timber to suit, then cut to size on the table saw if necessary. If the router is in a table ie inverted you are effectively cutting a series of regularly spaced dado's - just move the fence over for each successive cut.

 

[MY63]

Thanks StevieB
I was thinking the router might be the answer I dont have a a router table or a table saw but I am about to purchase a new compound mitre saw these trays will be within the cutting size of the CMS.
I have been searching the internet for some type of jig that might make cutting the slots easier.

 

[fiveeyes]

A former could be a series of dowels. Spaced accordingly, of course. The ends of said dowels fixed to a, say a 2x4..you say 4x2 I think. Sort of like a ladder, with closely spaced rungs. Hope that is clear.

 

[MY63]

A former could be a series of dowels. Spaced accordingly, of course. The ends of said dowels fixed to a, say a 2x4..you say 4x2 I think. Sort of like a ladder, with closely spaced rungs. Hope that is clear.

That sounds similar to my current method of making trays.

IMG_5652 by my0771, on Flickr

I would like to find a way to make to make a mould that is less labour intensive. I have some scotia moulding that I am going to try trimming down and fitting back to back similar to the image shown above.