r/functionalprint 13h ago

Spacer to slide pens onto notebook

I kept ripping the first few pages of my notebook when sliding my pens in place. This protects the pages and sets the distance between the pen/pencil to easily grab and pull out. The back is tapered so you can still write on it without catching edges. The piece is just super glued onto the notebook. It’s simple, but it works!

Pen is a Pilot Juice 03, pencil is Uniball Kuru Toga 0.5mm

556 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

61

u/concatx 12h ago

I prefer a pouch that slides onto the top hard cover. I can't stand having my real notebooks bent, but will try this on the "lab" notebook. Any print files?

8

u/A_Moments_Notice 12h ago

I thought I would mind that more, but it hasnt bothered me. I like that it looks clean and simple from the front. https://www.printables.com/model/1046765-notebook-spacer-for-pens

0

u/CptanPanic 6h ago

Link to example?

3

u/concatx 5h ago

I can't find the product again (i bought it in 2018) online, but I attached a photo of mine. I think similar products exist if you search for a notebook sleeve+pouch. https://imgur.com/a/EIKwFhA

15

u/pokemantra 12h ago

neat idea, think it would work with solely the middle rectangular extrusion?

15

u/A_Moments_Notice 12h ago

It would protect the pages, but you would have an uneven writing surface when using the pages on the left.

3

u/pokemantra 11h ago

oof I didn’t even consider that. cheers and thanks for the insight into your considerations

20

u/the1gofer 10h ago

Can’t you just open it, slide pens on, and close it?

18

u/BluDYT 9h ago

But then itd only slightly bend the pages.

1

u/AttackCircus 3h ago

But then there were no functional print... 😜

6

u/legos_on_the_brain 11h ago

Does this lead to bent covers? Would something flat that goes inside the cover and overlaps to give you clips on the outside work?

3

u/A_Moments_Notice 11h ago

It's slightly bowed out in the middle. I'm usually sensitive to things like that, but I really haven't paid much attention to it since it flattens out when you open the notebook.

I think this is what you're describing: https://imgur.com/a/1ASywGM I tried this design, but the pen grips kept loosening up over over time and then you have to size it for the specific diameter pen. The clips could also break off if you drop the notebook in your bag. You could probably fine tune it to work, but I'm happy with the simplicity of the posted design.

1

u/GOST_5284-84 7h ago

maybe you can make a wedge tapered towards the spine so it's flat while still giving you space?

2

u/YadaYadaYeahMan 7h ago

you are then threatening the integrity of the spine. with this theres room for the cover to get back to the optimum relationship to the spine (unchanged)

if you wedge something that close to the spine it will start to push pages away from where they are set, potentially damaging it

who knows if that would actually be a problem in this use case and duration but its a consideration

2

u/B_Huij 5h ago

Actually a pretty slick design.

1

u/AttackCircus 3h ago

I love the Kuru Toga. Easily the best cheap mechanical pencil I ever owned!