How do they get the lead into a pencil?

elburcher

Follow the link ! http://www.howstuffworks.com/question465.htm Today, most wooden pencils are mass produced from large blocks of cedar cut into slats. A machine cuts eight grooves, half as deep as the graphite-clay rod is thick, into the slats, and then places rods in each groove. Once the rods are in place, a second grooved slat is glued on top of the first. When the glue dries, the slats are fed through a cutting machine that cuts the wood into various shapes and divides the slats into eight separate pencils. The seams where the two slats are joined are sanded down and several coats of paint are applied to the pencil, giving it the appearance of a solid structure. [Added text from the reference link - McG] Aug 19 02, 3:56 AM

bipolar

Although we use the term 'lead pencils' the mixture contained in pencils is not actually lead, it is a mixture of graphite and clay. The graphite and clay are blended with water by machine. This mixture is then transferred to a second machine which squeezes it out through a very narrow aperture. It then comes out in the shape of a very long strings. These are hardened in the oven and treated with wax, so that they can write more easily. The final stage comes with inserting these 'strings' into the pencil. The wood which encases the pencil is usually cedar. This is because it has a soft grain and consequently will not split when it is sharpened. The cedarwood is cut into narrow strips called slats. A groove is then cut into each slat and a string of graphite is laid in the groove. Another slat is glued on the one holding the graphite, the pencil is sanded, painted and a pencil has been formed. http://www.blurtit.com/q767326.html http://www.pencils.com/ Feb 11 08, 7:35 PM

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