This design was initially created on the S1 by tpleo54.  I've redesigned it in XCS and cut it out on my M1.  All I needed was the frame of the bench sides.  The great design work allowed me to separate it from the slots.  I wanted to try inserting pencils so I measured it using a caliper.  It measures about 7mm but I gave it a little more room to allow the pencils to slide in and out (optional).

Once I created the circle for the pencil, I wanted to make sure I aligned them perfectly straight and equally separated so I used the “Grid Array” tool.  It's important to give spacing between the pencils or it may cause issues in-between the pencils such as burn marks, or weak structural integrity.  I rotated and angled them to conform to a regular looking bench to make it more practical. (You never know if you will get shrunk one day!!)

One of the things I like doing is adding either engraved designs or cut outs on big empty spaces.  I mean this machine does amazing fine engraving so why not right?  Well, I opted to just make a hole to give the illusion of a hand rest.  You can see other options that I had in mind in the photos.  Just remember when you manipulate the shapes, you have to unlock them to allow you to place them where you want them to be. For example, the oval I just squeezed it down to fit in the space I had.

I get a kick out of these very easy designs because once you've completed one side, you pretty much have done both sides.  I copied, flipped both vertically and horizontally to make it compact enough to fit on a small piece of scrap wood.  Remember to group all object of one side together before you flip it.

I placed the frame on the corner of my scrap basswood and made sure I used the “prisms” option.

I grouped everything, adjusted the cutting speed a bit (because I wanted to make sure there were no burn marks). 

I dusted my cut parts with a brush very thoroughly around the holes and edges to prevent any soot from rubbing off on the pencils or my hands.  I used the eraser part to anchor one side while I slide the other side in (not as easy as you think).  You can play around with the sizing of the holes on scrap wood to make sure the size you choose it the size you want on your final product.  

I think I'm going to engrave a quote on these pencils.  It's quite wide but It would look very cool on an office desk.  

Well, that's it.

Thanks for your time and as always, if you have any suggestions or if you make a “remix” please, please share!!!