Tyrannosaurus Rex might be the king lizard, but this tiny terror desktop dinosaur has been tamed to sharpen my pencils.

It might seem like something like this must already exist, and while there are some dinosaur pencil sharpeners, none can sharpen pencils in the dinosaur mouth - making it look like the dinosaur is chewing the pencil to a fine point.

All you need are a few simple tools and supplies, and take special care on where you place the pencil shavings exit. This is a quick and fun project that looks great, is functional, and super easy.

Ready to get prehistoric? Let's make!

Step 1: Tools + Supplies

You probably have some of these items on hand:

These are inexpensive, and the rotary tool is invaluable in the workshop!

Step 2: Measure, Mark, Then Cut

I measured the length and diameter of the small pencil sharpener and made some small marks inside the dinosaur mouth for reference.

Starting with a small carving bit in the rotary tool I careful carved out small sections at a time from the inside of the mouth. I constantly stopped to clear out the plastic debris and check to make sure I was staying inside the envelope of the dinosaur an not blast out the side of the head.

Step 3: Shaving Exit on Side of Mouth

The shavings will need somewhere to exit the sharpener, so a small opening was cut into one side of the dinosaur mouth. This opening will gather pencil shavings, then spill them out.

Dry fit the pencil sharpener into the mouth opening to ensure a good fit, and that the shaving exit is adequate.

Step 4: Epoxy

Once the mouth opening is finished the pencil sharpener can be glued in place. I like using 2-part epoxy, which uses equal squirts of epoxy and catalyst. I mixed up a small batch and coated the inside of the dinosaur mouth and then pushed the pencil sharpener into the mouth cavity, making sure not the get any epoxy over the pencil shaving exit of the sharpener.

The epoxy was left to cure for a few hours before using.

Step 5: Sharpen!

Your prehistoric pencil sharpener is ready to keep your desk safe from intruders, and sharpen your pencils.

This easy and fun modification can be customized for your favourite dinosaur, or just about any other toy. I wonder why toy companies didn't think of this obvious trick first?

Have you made your own dinosaur pencil sharpener, or other toy mod? I want to see it!

Happy making :)