[split] Mechanical Pencils and High Quality Lead

[Jase]

(10-05-2024 11:30 PM)Johnh Wrote:  It looks great! A really thoughtful product and isn't it great that 3d printing allows such items to be developed and offered in small batches?

I love those Rotrings too...

Yes, 3D printing has really improved in the last few years. Amazing, really. And I'm grateful for the 15c stand - it's perfect!



I love Rotring 600s, especially the 3-in-1 model featuring a 0.5mm pencil, black ink, and red or blue ink options. The black one pictured is a 600 3-in-1; the chrome is a regular 600 with 0.7mm lead. They're fantastic tools.

I buy 3-in-1s when they drop to $30–$35 on Amazon. Since you have to unscrew the barrel to replace the lead—unlike the regular 600 where you add lead from the top—I lightly lubricate the barrel threads with fine gun oil to prevent seizing over time.

I also swap out the default 0.5mm lead for Pentel Ain Stein HB or B2. The stock lead is hard and brittle, prone to tearing paper and breaking easily. High-quality, smooth lead eliminates these issues entirely.

These two tweaks make the 3-in-1 a perfect gift for engineers and mathematicians. I've given away about 20 over the last three years, and they're always a hit.

Jase.