Comments on: A Pencil from the Tailor Helps Sawing

By: wdgrvr

wdgrvr — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 14:15:09 +0000

In my vast cache of treasures I came across a welders soapstone marker makes great visible white marks on dark wood can be sharpened to a razors edge costs under two bucks at a welding supply house or online

By: MikeC

MikeC — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:59:49 +0000

I just use white Stabilo Colored Marking Pencils availible online from a number or places. They’re more like a number 2 in size and the “lead” is waxy. Soft, so don’t press hard, but the white sure is clear on walnut.

I get a 12 pack

By: staneckert

staneckert — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:43:18 +0000

I have also had good luck with Sewline ceramic lead. It is also .9 mm and comes in five colors – black, white, pink, green and yellow. I prefer the white for dark woods. It rubs off easily after making your cut. Load it up in your favorite .9mm drafting pencil and you’re ready to go.

By: johnmoran

johnmoran — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:58:38 +0000

Chris

I seem to remember that you use the 0.5mm propelling pencils. If that’s true, you can get green and red leads for them as well (you can even get scented ones if you are so inclined!)

Kind regards – John

By: sjschultz

sjschultz — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 02:51:53 +0000

The tailor’s pencil can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Tailors-Marking-Set/dp/B0052WSQHK

By: Barquester

Barquester — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:38:54 +0000

This blue tape idea is a nice technique Derek, when you weed the tape it’s highly visible. I’m on my way out to the shop to try it now. Love the chisel, I’m afraid I just can’t see how it works any better. I’ll work on it. (I’m a chisel freak)

By: cgooding

cgooding — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:11:17 +0000

I have one with a white lead that I’ve been using for several years. I wouldn’t know what to do without it.

By: gumpbelly

gumpbelly — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:36:13 +0000

Just must depend on a persons eye I guees. In your second and third photos I can see the darker pencil line much clearer.

By: Derek Cohen

Derek Cohen — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:22:15 +0000

There is a pictorial I did on this method on my website:

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/HalfblindDovetailsinJarrah.html

For dark woods and ageing eyes this is the BEST method for clarity of marking.

Regards

By: tms

tms — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:08:51 +0000

Hey Chris,

I’ve used a knife and school yard chalk for years on dark woods, sort of a compromise between the tailor’s pencil and the ponce bag. I’m not sure what the advantage of a ponce bag would be, the school yard chalk is easy to see, and less messy. I’ll have to give the tailor’s pencil a try.

Tom