DIR- Generic Pilot Croquis Replacement

[lowwall]

I would be hesitant to buy another Rite in the Rain pencil, they discontinued the one I have but also discontinued the lead as well.

(Amazon) 5.6mm lead refills

Rite in the Rain specifies 3.35" (85mm) x 5.6mm lead. It's a 2B which seems a little of the soft side (Croquis used a much harder H). Maybe because that's the easiest to find?

[Edit - Croquis did come in softer leads as well, see next posts.]

 

[tursiops]

(Amazon) 5.6mm lead refills

Rite in the Rain specifies 3.35" (85mm) x 5.6mm lead. It's a 2B which seems a little of the soft side (Croquis used a much harder H). Maybe because that's the easiest to find?

Croquis leads are/were available in various hardnesses, not just H, all the way to 6B.

 

[lowwall]

Croquis leads are/were available in various hardnesses, not just H, all the way to 6B.

Thanks for the correction. The ones I saw on scuba sites were H, but they clearly came in softer leads as well.

 

[DirtFish]

I purchased replacement 6b leads on Aliexpress. I got two boxes of six for $6.28 shipped, basically a lifetime supply for me and they work exactly like the original.

5.6mm Mechanical Pencil Lead Refill HB/2B/4B/6B/8B Painting Automatic Pencil Refills

 

[Corruptor01]

I just bought a package of these pencils from Amazon.
5.6MM Lead Holder
5.5" long, x .5" diameter. I'll probably add a bit of surgical tubing for a better grip surface, but other than that it looks like it will work fine for a while. Eventually the spring will rust; I've found what could be a suitable stainless steel replacement at McMaster but won't know for sure until I place the order.

I believe they can be shortened by an inch or so, but the rear cap threads on so I'll have to figure out a replacement or tap size if I attempt to modify it.

I think a tiny o-ring applied to the rear end of the lead should keep it from sliding out through the front. It'll have to sized just right as there's only a little clearance between the lead and the inner tube. Maybe one of those tiny rubber bands used in orthodontics would work as well?