Bug: Fridge Door `Sharpie` Pen Holder

[nelsonic]

At present we don't have a clear System for writing things on containers that go in the Fridges. 🤷‍♂️ We are constantly have to hunt for a Sharpie when we want to write on a container (they keep disappearing) ... ⏳ 🔍 This is such a time-suck and means people often don't bother to write on containers which creates chaos. 😖

Todo

• [x] Measure the Sharpie and Magnet we have. (see below)
• [x] Create a purpose-built pen-holder
• [x] Should attach to the fridge door using Magnets.
• [x] Should not require any effort to remove or return the pen (i.e. not tight fitting)
• [x] Should have space for 3 sharpie pens; backup of the backup! 😉
• [x] Should use free "scrap" 10mm plywood and be easy to laser-cut & assemble
• [x] Should minimise materials so that the Magnet is not overloaded.
• [x] Design in LigthBurn #44
• [x] Cut on laser
• [x] Assemble
• [ ] Finish with varnish for durability (wet hands) and ease of keeping clean.
• [x] Buy bulk sharpies so we don't have to hunt for them.

  Note: Already Ordered a 24-pack of Sharpies on Thursday, they should arrive on Wednesday next week (no Prime...)

  

Proposed Copy:

Please always write the
contents, date & name
on all storage containers
using the Sharpie provided.
And return the Sharpie. 
Thanks!

Feels like this is any easy problem to solve systematically.

Relevant Measurements

Sharpie length ~140mm (exactly: 137mm)

Sharpie diameter at thickest: 12mm (11.78mm):

Magnet diameter: 19.5mm:

Magnet thickness: 3.66mm:

[nelsonic]

I'm particularly keen on getting this done ASAP because I've heard people searching for Sharpies in the kitchen (which is within earshot of my desk) four times this week and it such a time-suck and distraction!! 😢

[nelsonic]

Revised copy:

Please always write 
the contents, 
date & person's name
on all storage containers
using the Sharpie 
and return it. Thanks!

[nelsonic]

Design in LightBurn:

[iteles]

I really don't want to be a Debbie Downer on this but I think the problem is that people keep taking the black sharpie (the only one that works for writing on the glass containers we use in the freezer) OUT of the kitchen. There is already a specific place (a pen pot) where sharpies are kept in the kitchen, which is easy to use and placed right next to where the pyrexes on which we write on with them are used.

If you feel the solution is to keep it on the fridge (like the other pen I have that I don't want to go walking - the one I use for marking off the 100 food's for A's introduction to solids 👶 ) we could just use the solution we already have for that pen too (note these are purposefully kept at an angle so the ink doesn't dry up):

If you want to create a holder for the chalk pens I use for the fridge meal planning board, now THAT would be ace (because there are multiples, this solution above doesn't work)!

[nelsonic]

@iteles removing a pen from the grip of a peg is a 2-handed operation for most people. 2️⃣ ✋ And clearly this isn't working. else I wouldn't have had to hear about it 4 times this week ... 🙉 This should be a single-handed operation so that the person already holding the container doesn't need to put it down to get the pen and can just use it in the "flow" of putting it away.

And ... as noted in the OP. I ordered

24 Pens

from amazon when I got sick of hearing about the pen going missing.

You are very welcome to use the tools in our - what many would consider a decently equipped - Workshop to create anything you can imagine to solve any problem systematically. 👌

[nelsonic]

Copy V3:

Please use this Sharpie to write name, date and contents
on food containers, then return it. Thanks!

The only [Debbie] Downer is not having a system that everyone can follow and then me the person trying to write code having to hear about the missing pens. 💸 Breaking the concentration of someone who's time is more valuable to the organisation than a thousand pens, should be a "sackable offence". But it's not because nobody cares if I get my work done.

[iteles]

You're only hearing about missing pens because I often find them/some in the workshop 😆 So I was just wondering if you had found any extra ones down there lately that I could use.

Anyway, I hear you on the one-handed operation.

What you're actually saying is that you should cancel your order for 24 sharpies and replace that with an order for clickable sharpies 😉 👍 https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/dp/B0014GYMN0/

[nelsonic]

This might be the smallest font I’ve ever lasered (size 5mm) and it appears to be working ok:

[nelsonic]

Simplified to horizontal pen holder.

[nelsonic]

@iteles if you want the (nearly double the price) clicking Sharpie pens please go ahead and order them. I will keep the “classic” ones; which I’m very used to uncapping and writing with single-handed. 👌

[iteles]

Works great 👌🏻

[nelsonic]

Oh Wow, it's €28.97 for 12. that's €2.41/pen. 😮 Compared to €17.93 for 24; €0.74/pen 👍 so more than TRIPPLE the price per pen!! 💸 They would have to be quite a lot better to justify that price jump. IMO. 💭

[nelsonic]

I didn't varnish the holder because I kinda lost interest. 😞 But FYI: It took me less time build the prototype than it did you to write the comment. 🪚 💬 ⏳

[iteles]

Oh yea, they're ridiculous, I'd never buy them. Hence the wink 😉