Need help marking on walnut

[Joe McMahon]

I am using some walnut in my bench construction. I got a white pencil for marking but it doesn't do a very good job. It skips and has to be marked a half dozen times before I get even a light mark.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I could use that would put a good line on walnut???

TIA, Joe

[Bob Smalser]

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/2594266/375648998.jpg

Knife across the grain and awl with the grain....the cuts also serve to minimize any chipping. Pencils lack precision.

For rough layout during stock selection, use blackboard chalk.

[David Gendron]

What I do, is I mark with marking knife(both across and with the grain) and hightlite the "cut" with a yellow color "PRISMACOLOR" "VERITHIN" crayon sharpened as a chisel edge and it work realy good!

[Howard Pollack]

I use a red (shows up surprisingly well) fine point pen. -Howard

[Eric Brown]

I use a red or orange pencil sometimes but found that the kerf starters from Glen Drake do the job better. It basically cuts a groove the same width as your sawblade. The saw then "falls" into the groove. Easy to see too.

Eric

[Joe McMahon]

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/2594266/375648998.jpg

Knife across the grain and awl with the grain....the cuts also serve to minimize any chipping. Pencils lack precision.

For rough layout during stock selection, use blackboard chalk.

I am installing a walnut chop on my Roubo. To identify the screw hole you have to carry the line clear around the chop so I really do not want to use a marking knife. I guess I'll try the red. I do have another problem, color blindness so I hope it shows up.

[Keith Christopher]

I use a white artists pencil from the local artists supply store. They sharpen quite nicely and don't take much pressure to leave a mark.

[David Gendron]

Since you don't want to mark a line and in this case, I understand... the use of a colored pencil and a square should work just fine!
Good luck!
Do you by any chance some picture of that bench of yours you could share??
thank you!

[Joe McMahon]

David, so far I only have the top done. It is hard maple with two walnut boards 3" in on each side and walnut ends. I plan on doing maple legs & stretchers with a walnut face vise chop. I do have some photos of the top though:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/joemac18/Roubo/P1010016-1.jpg (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/%3Ca%20href=)">

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/joemac18/Roubo/P1010021.jpg (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/%3Ca%20href=)">http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/joemac18/Roubo/P1010021.jpg (http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k262/joemac18/Roubo/?action=view&current=P1010021.jpg)

[David Gendron]

Realy Nice bench... so far! How long is it?

[Bob Smalser]

To identify the screw hole you have to carry the line clear around the chop so I really do not want to use a marking knife.

There's no need for anything more than a tiny tic on each corner to carry a line from front to back.

Colored pencils make lines wider than you'll prefer to make errors.....pick one side of your pencil lines and stick to it.

[Dave Anderson NH]

I keep small plastic container containing white chalk dust on the shelf under my bench for use on walnut and dark woods. I'm with Bob Smalser on this one. Mark with a marking knife, cutting gage, or whatever is needed, and then rub some chalk into the line. The excess is easily removable with mineral spirits, alcohol, or water.

[Joe McMahon]

David, thanks. It is a little over 8' long and 24" wide. I have already laminated the legs and they are 5" square. I have to cut the stretchers and the mortices in the top and legs then fit the base assembly. Since I can use a drill press while the legs are separate, I want to so the boring on the chop leg before assembly and save myself some work and be as accurate as possible with my holes.

Joe

[David Gendron]

Good work, keep us posted!

[Eric Brown]

You could use some masking tape and then mark on it.
You could also build a U shaped block, drill it, and use it as an alignment guide.

Eric