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Thread: Marking bark to cut blanks

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
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    Marking bark to cut blanks

    I have used black sharpie markers as long as the bark isn't dark they work ok. I have also tried using white paint markers on dark bark but the paint doesn't seem to flow well enough to get a good mark. I have even used the paint sticks you can get at a feed store that are normally used to mark livestock and they work (sorta) but are messy. What do you folks use when tracing around a circle on the bark side of a log to cut it into a bowl blank?
    Thanks
    Denny

    Always try to be the best but, never think you are the best.

  2. #2
    I have a series of cardboard circles of different diameters that I screw to the blank while cutting out, no marking involved.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
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    Roseville,Ca
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    What Kevin said!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
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    sykesville, maryland
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    sidewalk chalk or nothing if I'm using my circle jig. Chalk isn't always effective either. I've wanted to try white grease pencils. I also sometimes use a silver sharpee.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
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    Wayland, MA
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    end of the chain saw. I don't ever try to cut an actual circle, but I'll lightly mark an octagon to let me double check layout prior to cutting the corners off.

  6. #6
    I made a very simple circle cutting jig which has a 1/4" pin on it and I clamp to the bandsaw table. I drill a hole on the underside of the 1/2 log piece and then just move the jig towards the blade until ti is just touching the long side of the blank and clamp it in that position. Then it's just a matter of turning the wood on the pivot and getting a perfect circle.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    For dark bark and for marking steel when doing my hobby metal work I find it tough to beat a Sharpie Silver Metallic.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Hayward View Post
    For dark bark and for marking steel when doing my hobby metal work I find it tough to beat a Sharpie Silver Metallic.
    Ok that's worth a try and thank you.
    Denny

    Always try to be the best but, never think you are the best.

  9. #9
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    sykesville, maryland
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  10. #10
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    Aug 2007
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    Lakewood, CO
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    Quote Originally Posted by tom lucas View Post
    Lumber crayons are what I use when chainsawing to draw cut lines. I get them at Home Depot but have only used red, green, and maybe blue. White would be handy.

    For the OP's question I use circle templates like Kevin and Dwight use. Mine are cut from 1/8" fiberboard or old paneling.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
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    Kapolei Hawaii
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    Quote Originally Posted by tom lucas View Post
    That link goes to a pack of white crayon, they come in different colors. White works on dark obviously, but I like yellow and red. I think they work almost as well as a sharpie on rough bark. BUT they don't bleed out and disappear if you want to write the name of the wood on a smooth cut part of the blank. It will get a bit hard to see, but didn't bleed to where you can't read it like sharpies sometimes do.

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