Bridge City Pencil Precision PP-1 User manual

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ENGLISH VERSION

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Pencil Precision User Manual
Congratulations on your purchase of the Pencil Precision! The Pencil Precision is easy to use and
allows young and old alike to make professional-grade pencils without woodworking experience
or ability.
IOverview
The Pencil Precision kit consists of a special Block Plane, the Plane Sled Unit, the Extrusion Unit,
the Ferrule Unit, 25 sets (50 pcs) of pencil blanks and pencil leads, ferrules, and erasers, as shown
in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Pencil Precision Components
Most of the parts of Pencil Precision are CNC machined from solid aluminum and anodized
creating a beautiful finish that is almost as hard as a diamond. The plane iron and dies are made
from hardened tool steel.
By using the Pencil Precision Block Plane with the Plane Sled Unit, the default pencil is a
hexagonal pencil. To make round, beaded or Reuleaux pencils, a hexagonal pencil is fed into the
extrusion unit. A series of progressive dies remove material to create the desired pencil shape.
Your pencils can also be painted in different colors if you like. All of the steps are easy to achieve,
the process is fun and the results are very rewarding.
Plane Sled Unit
Erasers
Pencil Leads
Pencil Blanks
Extrusion Unit
Ferrule Unit
Block Plane
ferrules
Clamps

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II Before using the Pencil Precision
i Setting the Plane Depth Skids
Before starting to make your first pencil, it is important to properly set the depth skids. This
can be done following the illustration in Figure 2, using the gauge built in the back of the
Ferrule Unit. This is a one-time setting and should not require subsequent adjustment —
unless the plane is dropped, or the depth skids removed.
Set the plane on the ferrule unit with the depth skids aligned with grooves in the ferrule unit.
Loosen the depth skids with the hex key wrench provided and allow them to drop until they
touch the bottom of the grooves in the Ferrule Unit. Once the skids rest on the grooves in
the Ferrule Unit, tighten all four screws with the included hex key wrench. When properly
adjusted, the plane sole rests on the rails, and the skids rest on the bottom of the grooves.
You should not set the depth skids on a flat surface and make sure they are planar with each
other and to not allow the plane to wiggle or rock.
Figure 2: Setting the Plane Depth Skids.
ii Setting the Cutting Depth of the Block Plane
The small block plane (as shown in Figure 3) included with the Pencil Precision is a precision
tool with a sharp iron; when properly set-up, it will give you silky shavings with minimal
effort.
The cutting blade (the “iron”) is always inserted into the plane body with the bevel up —
this is a bevel-up block plane. The depth of cut of the iron is adjusted by rotating the iron
depth adjuster at the back of the plane (clockwise advances the iron, counterclockwise
retracts the iron).
Figure 3: Block Plane
Iron Cap Lock Knob
Iron Depth Adjustor
Iron
Iron Bevel
Magnetic Pad
Iron Cap
Plane Body
Mouth Opening
Depth Skid
Depth Skid

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Follow the steps below to properly set-up the iron to the correct cutting depth:
1. Advance the sharp iron until you can feel it barely protruding from the bottom of the
plane by brushing lightly with your fingers. Gently tighten the iron (lever) cap to lock it
in place. You do not need to tighten the lever cap knob very much to hold the blade in
place. The iron edge should be parallel with the throat plate. If it is not, rotate the iron
slightly sideways until it is parallel with the throat plate.
2. Adjust the iron depth until the shaving is thin and easy. Once the iron depth has been
set, make sure the iron cap is tight. You may find that tightening the iron cap makes the
depth of cut too deep. If so, loosen the cap, slightly retract the iron, and re-tighten the
cap. The gap between the iron and the throat plate should be just large enough for the
shavings to clear.
iii Choosing a Working Location for the Pencil Precision
The Pencil Precision can be used on workbenches or sturdy tables but is primarily designed
to be used on counters with the user standing. There is an anti-skid pad on the back of the
Plane Sled Unit, it will sit firmly on your table without damaging the surface.
If you desire, the Extrusion Unit can be permanently attached to a working surface or a
user-designed hook using 2 screws.
Although the Pencil Precision makes very little dust, it does make lots of shavings. These are
easy to clean up with a vacuum but can also be easily picked up by placing an old newspaper
on the counter prior to beginning; the shavings can simply be rolled up and disposed of with
the newspaper upon completion. We have found it useful to have a wastebasket on the floor
beside the user to empty the plane shavings as they build up within the plane body.
iv Pencil Blanks
The Pencil Precision is designed for a specific sized pencil blank: 4.3mm x 9.25mm x 170mm.
If you choose to make your own blanks, understand that if your blanks are less than 4mm
thickness, your results will be an asymmetrical hexagonal pencil. Blanks thicker than 4.3mm
will require extra work in planing. If your blanks are wider than 9.25mm, they cannot be
mounted in the planing slot. If your blanks are narrower than 9mm, your results will be a
asymmetrical hexagonal pencil. Blanks over 174mm in length will not fit in the Plane Sled
clamp. Blanks less than 165mm will not be clamped in the Plane Sled Unit.
The best pencil blanks are typically made from a straight-grained basswood, though many
woods will make excellent pencils. We caution you to think about your custom wood ideas
because many pencil sharpeners will not cut harder woods.
Wood is nature grown material, it may warp during storage or in uncontrolled climates. Prior
to inserting the blank in the Plan Sled, check if the pencil blank is warped. A straight blank
will help you to make a perfect pencil easily.

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Wood can have grain direction or other defects that will make the pencil making process
difficult or impossible. The Pencil Precision Kit includes enough blanks for 25 pencils.
However, your yield may, or may not, make 25 pencils but we fully expect that you can count
on 20-22 successful pencils with each 50 pc. blank set.
To determine the grain direction, please proceed as follows:
If you can "read" the grain before starting, place a small black dot on the end of the blank
where the plane would BEGIN cutting. Reading the grain is not easy in basswood, but if you
can see on the side of the blank the grain direction, this black dot is a big deal.
If not, use the method described next.
1) If during the first plane pass or two you notice the grain is tearing, reverse the blank and
put a small black dot on the blank where the plane will begin cutting.
2) When it comes time to put the blanks in the fixture to plane the sides, BOTH blanks with
black dots will be placed in the fixture with the dots on the same end where the plane will
BEGIN cutting.
3) When the blanks are ready to be glued, both black dots are on the same end.
4) When it comes time to insert the hex pencil in the extrusion unit, the black dotted end
will be the first end of the pencil heading into the dies.
III Using the Plane Sled Unit to make a Hexagonal Pencil
i Planing the Blanks
1. As shown in Figure 4, install one blank in the square slot in the middle of the Plane Sled
Unit. Tighten the locking knob in the rear of the Plane Sled Unit to clamp the blank in
place.
Figure 4: Install the Blank in the Plane Sled Unit.
CAUTION: Over tighten the clamp may cause the black wrap or bow.
Locking Knob
Pencil Blank
End View of Plane Sled Unit

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2. With the plane skids straddling the rails of the Plane Sled Unit, take full strokes pushing
the plane forward with downward pressure. Make multiple passes with the plane until
it is obvious that the plane is no longer cutting wood —the depth skids will limit the
amount of material that can be removed. After every few passes, empty the shavings
out of the plane into the wastebasket, and ensure that the mouth is not blocked with
any shavings. Planing should feel almost effortless when the shavings are thin. When
the plane no longer cuts, you have cut a 1 mm radius groove and thickness planed the
blank to the correct thickness.
NOTE: If on your first or second pass using the plane, you notice the grain is rough,
you are cutting against the grain of the blank. Now is the time to reverse the blank in
the plane sled unit. We also recommend that you mark the end of the blank that is
now NOT resting against the end stop. This is important because when it comes time
to assemble two halves into a pencil, you want to make sure that the marked ends
are adjacent to each other. These marked ends on the hex pencil indicate this is the
end to insert into the extrusion dies first and will allow the cutting dies to also cut
with the grain. Failure to do this can result in pencils that are extremely crude and will
likely need to be rejected.
3. Loosen the locking screw in the rear of the Plane Sled Unit to remove the blank and
install a new blank. Repeat the Step 1 & 2 to plane the second blank to the correct the
thickness.
4. As shown in Figure 5, install the two blanks into the side groove by facing the 1mm
radius groove inward. Make sure the marked end is the lead-in end and the first to be
cut. Hopefully you bevel both halves simultaneously cutting with the grain. If that is not
possible because of the location of the pencil groove, cut each half separately.
Figure 5: Install the Blanks into the Side Grooves
CAUTION: You cannot make a Hexagonal Pencil by facing the 1mm radius groove outward.
5. Without changing a thing on the plane, you plane until the skids hit the fixture and the
plane no longer cuts.
End View of Plane Sled Unit

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6. Loosen the locking screw, flip the blanks as shown in Figure 6: facing the 1mm radius
groove inward and the bevel side downward. Then tighten the locking screw to clamp
the blanks in place.
Figure 6: Flip the Blanks
CAUTION: You can not make a Hexagonal Pencil by facing the 1mm radius groove outward.
7. Repeat cutting by using the Block Plane without changing a thing until the skids hits the
fixture and the plane no longer cuts.
8. Loosen the locking screw and take out the two pencil blanks. Now the hexagonal pencil
blanks are ready to mount the lead.
ii Install the Lead
1. As shown in Figure 7, apply the glue evenly on the inside of one of the pencil blanks,
including the 1mm radius groove. You can apply the glue by a silicon brush or thin wood
pieces. Try not to get glue on the outside of the pencil blanks, because it will need to be
removed later by sanding.
2. Put the lead in the 1mm radius groove of the pencil blank without glue. Put the two
halves together, the lead will align the two halves perfectly. Ensure that both ends of
the two halves are aligned as well, and if the ends are marked as we recommend, make
sure the marks are adjacent to each other.
Figure 7: Apply Glue and Assemble the Pencil Blanks and Lead
End View of Plane Sled Unit

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NOTE: Pencil Precision does NOT contain glue or silicon brush. The wood glue is
commended to achieve the maximum bond strength. Please test the bonding strength on
the other wood pieces if you are not sure whether the glue will work in this application.
CAUTION: Do not apply too much glue, the excess glue may drop on the Plane Sled Unit,
causing the pencil to bond with the Plane Sled Unit or damage the Plane Sled Unit.
CAUTION: The pencil lead is very easy to break. Please be careful to prevent the lead from
breaking when taking out or installing it.
3. As shown in Figure 8, Stand the pencil on end and slide on the tapered aluminum clamp
until it holds the upper end and then place another clamp on the other ends of the
pencil.
4. Put the entire assembly back in the Plane Sled Unit and rest the two clamps on the
table. Tighten the locking screw to clamp the pencil in the middle section.
Figure 8: Clamping the Pencil.
CAUTION: Do NOT over-tighten the clamps, it may cause the bond failure.
5. Keep the whole assembly clamped in position for a minimum of 30mins. Remove the
clamps and rest it on the table or somewhere else for about 2 hours for the glue to dry
and reach its maximum bonding strength.
6. CONGRATULAITIONS, you have made a hexagonal pencil blank. If you want to use this
pencil directly, please read the section: Sanding and Painting directly. Or, you can now
proceed to fit the ferrule to the blank. If you want to make a pencil that is
environmentally friendly, simply finish the outside of your pencil with food grade
mineral oil.
NOTE: Different type of glue or environment will cause different clamping times. Please
read the glue manufacturers recommended clamping time.
Clamps
Pencil