marking out pencil / marker

[Tommyf]

Hi Everyone,

I have been looking for a way to mark out on box section etc , I have tried a pencil and marker pens and both are ok but they are either hard to see or to thick.

I was watching a video on YouTube today and saw some pencil type markers called Markal silver streak which looked quite good, Has anyone tried them would you recommend them & where can you buy them from ? or do you have any other ideas for marking out.

Many Thanks Tom

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I bought a scribe a couple years ago, the replacable tip was like chocolate. I now find that a sharpened tig tungsten works well as replacement tip

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

another I have used in the past is a snapped hacksaw blade sharpened on the belt sander

 

[wobblemonster]

Have you tried french chalk, you can put a "chisel" edge on it with a grinder very easily

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Sticks...154?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item416219e3ea

 

[Rob 88"]

Just looked up those silver streak pencils, cant say Ive tried one before. If accuracy is required I use a Scriber and just a cut where a mm or 2 makes no difference Engineers Chalk. Keep meaning to get one with a pocket clip though, always manage to misplace them, dont balance well behind my ear like a chippys pencil

 

[Hitch]

I use a scriber 90% of the time, and use chalk to highlight or circle more precise markings.

The eclipse carbide tipped ones are pretty good.

 

[chunkolini]

Chalk for rough marking, marker pen for more permanent rough marking, scriber for accurate work and a fine tip permanent marker for very accurate marking on bright finish bar.
I have loads of all options so I dont have to go looking for them, just find the nearest one.

 

[MattF]

a fine tip permanent marker for very accurate marking on bright finish bar.

I find those CD/DVD marker pens are a good choice on that front.

 

[gordon stephenson]

I tend to use Sharpie marker pens, the fine point permanent markers in both black(for alloy/stainless etc and silver for hot rolled mild steel box section/plate etc, They last quite a long time too.

 

[mwi]

I use soap stone most of the time and just keep have a dozen or so kicking round the workshop and in pockets so I don't end up looking for some all the time, it's easy to sharpen and at 6 quid for 144 sticks it cheap enough.

 

[mcostello]

I believe I use what You describe and am happy with them. Have Sharpies here across the pond, just never got one in silver yet.

 

[Welderpaul]

I've recently started using scribers for marking out - the eclipse ones come with replaceable tips (although they can be sharpened), but i'm still on the first one having used it nearly every day for 3 months.
Chalk is ok, but to get a fine line you need to sharpen it every few marks. Sharpies are good for stainless or bright but the lines get a bit wide after a while and get demoted to general marking jobs. I got a couple of the Markal welders pencils from a rep, a red one and a silver one. Not bad, need to keep a sharpener in your pocket, but become useless very quickly when they snap in your pocket or get dropped a few times and the lead (?) breaks all the way up inside it.

 

[Tommyf]

Thanks for all the replies guys.
I have ordered a carbide tipped scribe and some chalk with a holder on eBay so I should be marking a bit more accurately next week .

 

[outofthefire]

If I want accurate marks I use a coloured marker pen to colour the steel where the marks need to be then use a scribe, I find I can see the scribe line better than without the marker. If accuracy isn't important I use chalk or a sharpie.

 

[brightspark]

use marking blue as well as the scribe. its fast drying and cheap enough

 

[Chipper]

Staedtler permie markers in packs from Staples, cheaper than Sharpies. Double-ended, one tip is very fine.

 

[Bsmith]

A brazing rod or any piece of brass sharpened to a point is ideal for most surfaces.

 

[madkayaker]

Sharpies for me tend to use the short ones then I can stick through button hole in polo shirt. I then for accurate marking use a scribe or pointy screwdriver through the pen