Marking out pen

[RonA]

I was making some odd shaped brackets out of sheet steel yesterday. The material was bright rolled & the only thing to hand for marking out was an HB pencil. This wasn't particularly good as the line wasn't alll that distinct & my eyes aren't all they were.
What I need is something like a permanent marker but capable of producing a fine line. What do other people use, any recommendations?
RonA

 

[ChrisJ]

I use one of these in white, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261805120341?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Shox Dr]

Sharpie pen

 

[123hotchef]

I use chalk pens in various colours depending on what I am doing

 

[eSCHEn]

These work very well for me: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351755693207

You can also use then to abuse your mate's vehicle as well

Same as what Chris posted but they have a very fine nib and draw a line < 1mm wide.

 

[123hotchef]

http://www.red17.co.uk/chalk-pens.h...L7MVGi-hJeXA2yWNRjaOZJTuspeAN5MY1IaAsoM8P8HAQ

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I use the Sharpies, chalk pens as well as cheep Tesco fine tip markers.
All Good.

But a few weeks ago. I was board and wanted to mark up a sheet of 1.2mm steel plate so it could be cut out and bent for a patch.

I was board.
I went old fashioned, used "Engineers Blue" and a scriber. I was impressed. I then used candle soot on the brass and copper sheets and a Oak wood point to mark.

But for speed I use the fine tip marker pens. A lot of supermarkets do a fine tip kit of 4 pens what is good enough.

 

[Mr shiney]

Sharpie markers on smooth bright stuff and chalk on mill scale stuff. I also have a steel marking paint pen for more accurate lines than chalk. But you really can't beat a sharpie!

 

[pedrobedro]

I use pencils or scratch with a nail or screw point. Sometimes I even dig out a scribe if I can find it. (it's a sharpened small screwdriver I've had forever)

 

[Burdekin]

Sharpie pen for general stuff and scriber if getting accurate, a bit of blueing dye helps see the scribe lines if needed.

 

[gordon stephenson]

As above, Whatever works best, I tend to use french chalk rubbed to a fine broad edge on a file and fine point Sharpie pens, Black sharpie on shiny metal and fine point silver on dark metal,

 

[Chris Stevens]

If you are looking for a fine accurate line, the most effective way is Dykem marking out fluid (red is good), and a sharp scriber. Marker pens etc are fine for rough work, but not great if you are wanting as accurate as possible.

 

[mike os]

Sharpie. ... and if I want accuracy sharpie then scriber through the ink

 

[Screwdriver]

Sharpie line then scribe. Thick line gives you a good mark for setting up and shows up the scribed line a treat, then use the scribed line to get it perfect.

 

[zx9]

Sharpie pen for general stuff and scriber if getting accurate, a bit of blueing dye helps see the scribe lines if needed.

Or if you can not find the blue use a big fat marker pen, let it dry then scribe your line over the marker.


Edit: Kind of what Screwdriver just said, perhaps I should read to the end of thread before posting.

Edit 2: And Mike, he said it too.......................

 

[Screwdriver]

I have a box full of marking blue and a bottle of it too from a recent job lot. It makes a right mess every time.

It does. Not me.

 

[RonA]

I was making some odd shaped brackets out of sheet steel yesterday. The material was bright rolled & the only thing to hand for marking out was an HB pencil. This wasn't particularly good as the line wasn't alll that distinct & my eyes aren't all they were.
What I need is something like a permanent marker but capable of producing a fine line. What do other people use, any recommendations?
RonA

Thanks for all the suggestions, plenty of options to try out & see what best fills my needs. A trip to Tesco seems to be a good starting point, the pens of the bay seem to have a nice thin profile. Hadn't really occurred to me to cover the sheet in colour & then scratch through with a scriber so might give the sharpie & dykem a try (also available on the bay).
Thanks again for those people who took the time to reply.
RonA

 

[dan.taylor.1]

I use sharpie for bright and a silver streak? Pencil by markall. Best thing I ever used and doesn't dissappear with plasma cutting or oxy heating. Mind they're more than £1each but last well if not using on really rough stuff

 

[Hitch]

I use a tipped scriber, with a few dashes of marker at critical locations.