Pencils worth using

[Ron Altier]

I have had bad luck with pencils. I like the ole wooden pencils to mark my wood with. Nearly all I have purchased have faulty graphite that breaks easily or the outer wooden/artificial substance falls apart. There are a lot of my pencils located around my shop in unusual places. That is where they landed when I threw them when they failed. The flat carpenters pencils are too large for my liking. How about a recommendation for quality pencils. The ones at HD (for wood marking) are predictably awful . I don't like the mechanical, not because of cost, but they mysteriously hide shortly after purchase. I think they are possessed

Edited April 16, 2021 by Ron Altier

[Smallpatch]

I just happened to have a pencil I use all the time right here. Its the best I have found. I like my lines the smallest I can make with a dark line and these are great. The package of refills are not too expensive and last many months.

 

And no if you are upset these are probably not for throwing in to the corner so try to take your anger over to a stack of hardwood and punch it for a while. 

 I have 6 or 7 holders attached to the walls around my shop and one of these stays in each holder very easy to get to. 

  I would have taken a picture of the lead but its too small to show up in a picture, maybe..

[Smallpatch]

I might also add I work with smooth Maple and Ash and the grain in the Ash is a little ruff on the lead so pine and any ruff wood might not work so good. I use 2 sizes of lead .05 and .07 mm

 Most of the time the scroll saw is used with the drawings so the reason a very thin dark line is best for me. 

[HandyDan]

I use the same as Jess does but I like a 1.3mm pencil for general use.  Last ones I bought were Sponge Bob pencils from Wally World.  But I don't think they make them now.  I will have to hold on to mine.  Might be worth money someday.  Bikini Bottom uses U.S. currency too.

 

 

 

[HandyDan]

I like the vintage twist pencils for the weld shop.  I buy them at flea markets when i see them.

 

[kmealy]

I use 0.5 mm mechanical for "fine" lines and any old #2 for "medium" lines.  I can use carpenter's pencils for "coarse" markings.  One hint on those is to sharpen one side flat and put the bevel on the other side, sort of like a chisel tip.   Then it will go right up against your ruler/straightedge. And don't make a "point" but rather a flat tip.

 

I used to think it was stupid that FastCap put a pencil sharpener in their tape measures, but I find I use it a lot.   I also have a Boston sharpener that I bought about 1970 that puts a very nice point on a pencil.  That said, I heard Ticonderoga #2 is a very fine pencil.   I just don't have a need to buy a box of 96 of them at Costco. (I am still using a pencil I got in college).  Of course, the way not to lose them is to put them into a slot in your shop apron.

 

[Ron Altier]

My wife heard me complaining and said "Try one of these" and suggested I keep it in a pocket attached to my cell phone. She uses them with her sewing and crafts and likes them a lot. Its a 0.07 mm.HB #2. So far I like it and it fits nicely in a pocket attached to my phone...........if I remember to put it there.

[Larry Buskirk]

57 minutes ago, Ron Altier said:

My wife heard me complaining and said "Try one of these" and suggested I keep it in a pocket attached to my cell phone. She uses them with her sewing and crafts and likes them a lot. Its a 0.07 mm.HB #2. So far I like it and it fits nicely in a pocket attached to my phone...........if I remember to put it there.

 

Those are the same ones I keep stealing  borrowing from the wife. 

[Ron Altier]

21 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

 

Those are the same ones I keep stealing  borrowing from the wife. 

My thoughts exactly!! If I like them,,,,,,I know where she keeps them now. When she shops the craft stores, she can always buy more.  That works for me