A simple pen featuring Pilot Hi Tec C inserts, great finishes, and MAGNETS! Check update #5 for more pictures of all of the finishes.
So everyone needs pens, right? Well this is the ultimate pen. Great materials (6061 Aluminum), great finishes (raw, glass bead blasted, and powder coated), great inserts (your choice of black or blue Pilot Hi Tec C in 0.25mm, 0.3mm, and 0.4mm), and MAGNETS!
I am Will Hodges and making cool stuff is my dream. I have always been looking to find my way into manufacturing, and Kickstarter presented the perfect opportunity.
The EiMIM Pen has been in the work for three months, and after design, prototype, back to the drawing board and repeating that process I have come up with something I am proud of. Really proud of.
***Updates***
Check out update #5 for more pictures of all of the finishes.
The base is now recessed, with a smaller magnet so that it is always perfectly perpendicular. The pen also has less threading inside the cap, so it is just one and a half turns to detach and reattach.
If you want more refills, I have worked out a distributorship with Pilot to pass the savings on to you. Just add $2 per refill and when the surveys go out at the end of the project you can tell me what color/sizes you want.
Specifications:
- Pen: 5.5" Long, 0.430" Diameter, 1.0 oz
- Base: 0.750" Tall, 1.500" Diameter, 2.0 oz
It all starts with an aluminum rod that I turn on a manual lathe. Add some of the strongest Neodymium magnets, a Pilot Hi Tec C insert, a lot of skill, and out comes my pen. Well that is a bit oversimplified, so here are some more details:
Raw Materials:
- 6061-T6 Aluminum
- The strongest Neodymium magnets commercially available
Finishes:
- Machined - straight out of the chuck and as mechanical as possible. Then these are anodized for added strength and protection.
- Glass bead blasted - a simple matte beautiful finish (think unibody MacBook Pro's/other high end laptops), where the pen is bombarded with thousands of glass beads at high speed, and then anodized for added protection.
- Powder coated - industrial strength, tough as nails finish that looks great. Powder coating is ~10 times stronger than regular paint. Among the reasons it is pretty neat is that it is almost unseen in pens due to the level of skill required to do thin coats well. I found an amazing powder coater locally, and the results show.
Inserts:
- Pilot Hi Tec C - after experimenting (Pilot G2), testing( UniBall Signo DX and 207), and reading (not to mention popular demand) the Hi Tec C (AKA G Tec C) in all of the sizes is the best choice. Each pen will come with your choice of black or blue in 0.25mm, 0.3mm, and 0.4mm insert.
Rewards:
Why should I buy this pen?
- Because it is made by a real person - ME! - in the United States
- Pilot Hi Tec C inserts with perfect fitment.
- Magnets!
- Since I am the one making the pens, you will be kept in the loop on a whole different level than many projects can.
- You are looking for an awesome gift for the person that has everything.
- Most importantly, because it is really cool.
So what is needed to get this done? Principally, a lathe. I have been lucky as can be and found someone that has been willing to let me use his lathe to make the prototype. The associated tooling that goes with it as well, and a decent station and compressor to do the glass bead blasting. Not to mention a whole bunch of aluminum, magnets, and inserts.
A few months ago I found another pen through someone liking it on Facebook, so if you are tired of people liking boring stuff show them something really cool from a guy (me!) that eats, sleeps, and breathes this project. The more response there is, the better equipment I can get, the faster these pens can be made, and the sooner I can get them in your hands. It really works, so go show your friends and family.
FAQ
-
It stands for Everything in Moderation, Including moderation. Everyone needs pens, but not everyone has one they love. My idea is that, for objects everyone needs, simplicity - done well - makes the whole experience better.
-
The magnets are for the pen to be held into the base, and for the cap to either sit on the back of the pen or back in the base when the pen is in use.
-
I have had the biggest of the magnets directly attached to my iPhone 4S and it was fine, and I keep one of the bases right next to my laptop with a spinning hard drive. The thing about magnets is that once there is a little bit of distance they lose their power, so even an inch away and there are negligible effects.
-
Powder coating comes in a huge variety of finishes. I chose glossy black for this project since I think it is the most appealing and is an excellent contrast to the other finishes.
-
After talking with other people, and carrying one of the pens with the seven turn design around, I decided to reduce it. I originally toyed with one turn, now it is a turn and a half. If you want all of the threading for the full seven turns, let me know and I can skip that operation. Just send me a message.
-
Update #5 is where you need to go.
611
Backers
$32,360
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
May 14, 2012 -
Jun 10, 2012
- First created · 5 backed
- Will Hodges 96 friends
- Website: EiMIM.com
Pledge $30 or more
200 backers All gone!
Machined or Glass Bead Blasted EiMIM Pen and base made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $35 or more
67 backers
Machined EiMIM Pen and base made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $35 or more
126 backers
Glass Bead Blasted EiMIM Pen and base made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $40 or more
30 backers
Black Powder Coated EiMIM Pen and base made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $40 or more
15 backers
*NEW* White Powder Coated EiMIM Pen and base made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $50 or more
21 backers
Kickstarter Green Edition EiMIM Pen and base made from 6061 aluminium and powder coated the unique bright green we have grown to love. These will only be available through Kickstarter, unlike the rest of the lineup - shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $65 or more
5 backers
Two Glass Bead Blasted EiMIM Pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size for each pen. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $65 or more
40 backers
Two for ... Machined and Glass Bead Blasted EiMIM Pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $70 or more
9 backers
Two for ... Machined and Powder Coated EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $70 or more
19 backers
Two for ... Glass Bead Blasted and Powder Coated EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $75 or more
7 backers
*NEW* Two for ... White and Black and Powder Coated EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $80 or more
23 backers
Two for ... Kickstarter Green and any other finish you want of EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $100 or more
4 backers
*NEW* Three for ... Machined, Glass Bead Blasted, and White Powder Coated EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $100 or more
13 backers
Three for ... Machined, Glass Bead Blasted, and Black Powder Coated EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $105 or more
2 backers
Three for ... Glass Bead Blasted, White Powder Coated, and Black Powder Coated EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size for each pen. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $140 or more
2 backers
Four for ... Machined, Glass Bead Blasted, White Powder Coated, and Black Powder Coated EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size for each pen. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $145 or more
4 backers
Everything ... Kickstarter Green, Machined, Glass Bead Blasted, and Black Powder Coated EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $180 or more
13 backers
*NEW* The NEW Everything ... Kickstarter Green, Machined, Glass Bead Blasted, White Powder Coated, and Black Powder Coated EiMIM pens and bases made from 6061 aluminium shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $10 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $300 or more
5 backers
10 EiMIM pens and bases in your choice of finishes - anything YOU want. If you want more just add $30 for each additional pen over 10. Shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size. Add $20 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $2,500 or more
0 backers
100 EiMIM pens and bases in your choice of finishes - anything YOU want. If you want more just add $25 for each additional pen over 100. Shipped to your door in all 50 United States. Includes one Pilot Hi Tec C insert in your choice of color and size for each pen. Add $50 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
