Let's discuss marking devices aka pencils etc.

[cactusman]

I have flat mechanical pencils, chalk, soapstone, crayon, sharpie markers, large round mechanical pencils, correction fluid pen, and probably other marking tools in the pencil drawer.

I really like the flat mechanical pencil compared to the flat type you sharpen.

I often use chalk to make temporary marks [various colors] as it cleans up nicely.

I use soapstone on metal work as well as chalk and crayon. Crayon can be messy if too close to a weld point.

On PVC work I tend to use the sharpie type pens

A trick I learned is to use a correction fluid pen to make semi permanent marks on odd materials. for example I use this stuff to label my myriad of power tool wrenches. Often I use this to also mark steel as it is easier to see through a welding helmet.

Now I understand the merits of the flat carpenter pencil, but I also have large round soft lead mechanical pencils that also mark very well.

I often use the painters blue tape for making scribe lines easier to see. The tape also reduces tear out and chipping during a cut.

Any other clever marking devices or tricks out there?


Cactus Man

[woodenstickers]

Good list, and good trick with the "white out". The only thing I would add is an automatic punch. I'm sure it would be useful anytime you have to drill metal or wood, but I use it only for this application myself; I have a template that sits against the door edge, or on top of the drawer face and mark the spot with the punch. I can't remember if this is the correct name for this tool but it is a sharp punch that is spring loaded so when depressed it *pops* and indents the work. Aside from being visible on many different finishes it also gives me a good indentation for starting my drill bit.

One thing is it makes a permanent mark, so measure twice if it is a finished surface. The hardware being the last thing I do at the end of a job, often at the end of a long day, I have to be extra vigilant not to pop a mark in the wrong place...I've almost done it a few times...

[garager]

Awl, Razor Blade, Knife and seriously sometimes if the wood is soft enough my finger nail. Soapstone for sure when marking metal, and the spring punch gets used a lot too, "pop" there's your starting point works great. Mechanical pencil gets the most usage in the work shop.