Precision dimpling tool for pencil buttons

Sometimes you gotta make a ridiculously over-engineered tool for one extremely specific job! So. On the pencils I make (see www.eyejayinstruments.com), I also do brass buttons as an option. These are hollow and slip over the end of the plastic reservoir tube that holds the leads. To give it a little bit of friction, I used to hit a tiny dent in the side with a pointed punch - this digs into the plastic tube and holds the button in place. The exact depth of the dent is critical to achieving just the right amount of friction, and it was hard to achieve by hitting it.
This little tool will make a very precise dent to a specific, measurable depth. It's really just a pointy screw with a graduated dial on the end. The dial has a neat feature which makes it easily zeroable - the disc with the graduations is held into the knob with some extra-thick damping grease. This is a special grease which is really sticky and is used to produce a smooth feel in things like car door handles, cassette deck doors and the like. I've got a bunch at the moment as I'm doing a demo video for thr manufacturer ☺️
The dial is laser engraved, and I made it really deep so it's easy to grip the surface with a fingertip to zero the dial.

[@Loneman_OG]

I _love_ over-engineered yet simple stuff, if that isn't a contradiction, lol. That's a terrific tool for an uncomplicated job; simple, lovely-looking, precise, and probably bomb-proof. A keeper, for sure!😎👍

[@noobstopped]

This is really cool. I love seeing what you've machined. I'm trying to start myself, and have been really encouraged by your vids

[@SignalDitch]

Very nice!

[@imajeenyus42]

Thanks!