How to mark steel for cutting

[mike in somerset]

I'm new to cutting. What's the best method of marking steel before cutting curves & patterns? I've seen 'Welding Pencils'. Are these worth using. I want something easy to see behind the visor.
cheers
mike

 

[rory1]

French chalk is the usual, also called soapstone in some areas, some people like to put a few centre punch marks along the chalk line aswel

 

[Hitch]

I tend to use scribe lines (carbide tip scriber), and marker pens on sheet.
Scriber and soapstone/chalk most other stuff.

Welcome to the forum by the way Mike.

 

[Spark plug]

I just use French chalk it's a good all rounder and i can never find a marker no matter how many I buy but the chalk seems to behave.

 

[mike in somerset]

I just use French chalk it's a good all rounder and i can never find a marker no matter how many I buy but the chalk seems to behave.

What type of markers do you use?
cheers

 

[chevy2]

Markers work ok unless the material is greasy or oil covered.

 

[julianthegypsy]

I scribe lines then centrepunch them. It might be slow but I get it right every time.

 

[eSCHEn]

I recently gave these chalk markers a try and they are bloody brilliant.

 

[Bsmith]

I use french chalk for most, but for scribing or copying holes on to another metal surface a piece of thick brazing rod ground to a point is ok.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I recently gave these chalk markers a try and they are bloody brilliant.

Just ordered a few. Sounds just the ticket.
Thanks.

 

[eSCHEn]

Just ordered a few. Sounds just the ticket.
Thanks.

No problems, happy to help

You need to do the shaky thing like a rattle can the first time you use them to prime. After that they work like normal pens.

 

[Paul G]

I scribe lines then centrepunch them. It might be slow but I get it right every time.

I too use this method.
I cut and just leave the dots on, then I still have the line of dots to grind/sand/file down to.

Cheers
Paul G

 

[langy]

A quick wipe with acetone and a sharpie works for me

 

[Robotstar5]

What type of markers do you use?

I use a Sharpie marker for most work or a scribe line if its got to be accurate, a scribed line with centre punched marks is getting into toolmaking territory

 

[Kent]

Soap stone unless its bright or polished in which case a sharpie marker or other spirit not water based pen. Scriber for more precise work were you can see it or a series of Centre punch marks along it if you struggle.
One other thing I use is if I am chopping up bar in the saw and don't run a stop but its not to an inch or two I just run a gloved finger across the approximate mark of the cut on most stuff you can usually see it quite well

 

[gordon stephenson]

X2 for the Sharpie, I use fine point, black on shiney metal and silver on normal hot rolled steel etc. And sharp scriber on anything that requires more precision. And always have a nice thin piece of french chalk too.

 

[Paul G]

I love this "if it's got to be accurate phrase".

If I needed to cut anywhere within 5mm,

then I'd use a 5mm wide scriber.

 

[Kent]

I love this "if it's got to be accurate phrase".

If I needed to cut anywhere within 5mm,

then I'd use a 5mm wide scriber.

on just a single cut you could but you should go down to 2.5mm for two cuts perhaps?

 

[gordon stephenson]

The original post asked about marking out metal, This could be for a number of reasons, not just for burning or plasma cutting, Sometimes a scriber and cuts with a thin disc can give very accurate results.

 

[norlander]

Bump-sort of-but you can get a nice fine end on a stick of french chalk by sliding it corner to corner along a hacksaw blade in a motion familiar to adolescent yoofs.
if it starts to turn red, its over cut.