December 1, 201114 yr I had, and that is the key word, a nice marking knife. Had the beveled blade so it could be used from either side. It has gone off to be with the separated socks I think. I am pretty sure it is still in the shop but it has lost it's way back to it's home in my shop apron. A couple of months back my apron got moved by someone other than me and I haven't been able to locate my marking knife since. I ordered a new one this week from Woodcraft. But as I was doing this and getting by the past months while I was giving it time to come home I got to thinking which is dangerous for me. Here it is, how do you all mark your cuts? Do you uses a mechanical pencil, contractor pencil, pen or marking knife or something else. Just wondering what you use to make a good accurate mark to make you cuts. Should you see my marking knife wondering around with a single sock, please send it home. John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
December 1, 201114 yr I keep a regular #2 pencil with a big eraser on it and a mechanical pencil with a thinner lead. For rough lumber and rough marking I use the #2. For precision marking I use the Mechanical. If I am working with 2X and 4X framing, I have a red plastic contractor pencil that has long flat lead inserts and a slide out adjustor for advancing the lead.I have never used a marking knife. Allen WorshamCorona, CAallenworsham@earthlink.nethttp://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee
December 1, 201114 yr For a pencil, I've started buying those El Cheapo mechanical pencils from the dollar store. Can't be refilled but at the price, I don't care. I think I got 12 for a buck in a blister pack. When I need a bit more accuracy, I use a utility knife. I never let it close to my sock drawer. Â Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
December 1, 201114 yr   I have an old wooden marking guage to mark some things like mortises.    Otherwise it's the ol'number 2 pencil, freshly sharpened with the grinder.    If I loose the pencil ( there are about 10 floating around the shop) I use a ball point pen.   If I need a line on a sheet of plywood, Good old chalk line will do. It comes in handy when the cuts have to be at an angle. 'and may the road raise up to meet ye'
December 1, 201114 yr Author You brought up some good points (ha!). for marking out on rough lumber to start a project, I use chalk. I then cut to the outside of the chalk line which gives me some extra to true up to later. I also do that on plywood when I am starting to layout a project. Â Now I keep boxes of #2 pencils so I do use them. They are there to keep the socks company. Â John Moody John Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
December 1, 201114 yr For rough stuff, I use a chalk line. It's bigger and easier to find than the chalk pieces. I keep moving that box of chalk around every time I clean and organize. I just realized in typing this that it never get's used. I'll send it to you! Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
December 2, 201114 yr I good sharp pencil. Which reminds me, I need a new electric pencil sharpener for the shop. Â Â Â SQ It it can't be fixed with glue and sawdust - it's not worth fixing.
December 2, 201114 yr All depends on what I am working on actually. For sheets of ply, cutting 8 foot, I use a chalk line, even for some of the 4 foot cuts too. Rough cutting pieces, either a #2 sharp pencil, or if it dark wood, I use a white sewing pencil, easier to see the marks. But for all my finish cuts, I totally relay on my marking knives. John, next time you knife goes for a stroll with a lonely sock, make it jealous. Use an exact o knife or razor knife for marking. Still crisp clean marks, just not as comfy as a marking knife.Wayne MahlerGod bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.
December 2, 201114 yr Author Okay well I am going to try to cause my old marking knife to show it's blade. I got a new one that came in yesterday from Woodcraft. Sometimes when you go ahead and get another one, the old one will come back home. I am hopeful, we were such good friends. John MoodyJohn Moody Woodworkshttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
December 2, 201114 yr That looks very nice. But I would be a bit fearfull of putting that in my shop apron and stabbing myself when I bent over to pick something up. Allen WorshamCorona, CAallenworsham@earthlink.nethttp://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee
December 2, 201114 yr Author You know, that has already happened. I had my other one in my apron and forgot about. All of a sudden I am feeling this sharp stick and I am trying to think what is causing it when I realized I had put it in my upper pocket without the sleeve on it. When I was wearing my bags in the shop I would just slip it down in one of the holder and it was okay since they were leather. But with the apron, you got to pay more attention. Yep you got to be careful.Allen Worsham said: That looks very nice. But I would be a bit fearfull of putting that in my shop apron and stabbing myself when I bent over to pick something up. Allen WorshamCorona, CAallenworsham@earthlink.nethttp://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee
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