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Post by rockrookie on Jun 6, 2008 19:04:17 GMT -5
what should should i use to trace patterns on slabs ,in older books it says to use aluminum pencil if that is ''still right '' where do you get one the home depot guys looked at me like i was  ::)crazy . if not what else ? thanks !! paul |
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Post by kap on Jun 6, 2008 20:33:10 GMT -5
Go to any lapidiary supply store or web site and they will have them. They come in aluminum and brass. You need both as one will show better than the other on some rocks. They are cheap.
Keith
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Post by parfive on Jun 6, 2008 20:47:03 GMT -5
Just steal a small knitting needle from the wife - worked for me.
Rich
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Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
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Post by Gem'n I on Jun 6, 2008 21:27:12 GMT -5
Go to an art supply store...expensive but really works well.
Larry
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Post by bobby1 on Jun 6, 2008 21:32:15 GMT -5
For black or dark slabs use an aluminum knitting needle ground to a fine point or a piece of brass welding rod. Hobby and some hardware stores carry the brass rod.
For light slabs use a black ball point pen. Definitely don't use a felt tip pen. The line is too wide and the mark doesn't hold up in the water.
Bob
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Jun 6, 2008 22:31:10 GMT -5
I have a metalic pen that I made by sharpening one end of a brass rod, but I usually draw the contours with a thin permanent marker. I find it more visible, altough, as mr Bob stated, the thickness of the line can lower the precision of the cutting and grinding. Be sure the rock is dry when you draw the lines using the permanent marker, eitherway nothing will be drawn. After about one minute, you can wet the rock and the lines will stay there. I also like this system because, if I'm not content with the initial shape, I can erase it with some acetone.
Adrian
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Post by akansan on Jun 7, 2008 0:10:32 GMT -5
I also sometimes just use a regular pencil. The line is still visible when I'm trimming on the saw, even on darker slabs (I just look at an angle).
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cutter
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 129
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Post by cutter on Jun 7, 2008 7:03:41 GMT -5
Hi Ronda. I use a mechanical drafting pencil, the kind with the little jaws on the end and the other end depresses to open the jaws. Then I use different sizes or alum. and brass wire and thin rod. And I keep a small file arount to keep it sharp.
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Post by rockrookie on Jun 7, 2008 11:17:13 GMT -5
thanks for all the info . that helps me out alot . paul
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lsmike
spending too much on rocks
Maxwell's demon lowers tumbling entropy
Member since January 2007
Posts: 468
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Post by lsmike on Jun 7, 2008 12:05:00 GMT -5
I'm with Adrian-fine felt tips.Get several colors so you have one that will make a good contrast with different materials.Mike.
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Post by krazydiamond on Jun 7, 2008 12:12:38 GMT -5
yep, i'm with Adrain too, i use a permanent waterproof fine line marker, dark for light stones, metallic for darker slabs. i tried aluminum pencils but they dulled to quickly giving me an inaccurate template.
KD
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Post by stardiamond on Jun 9, 2008 12:27:02 GMT -5
I use pencil. I draw the design on the front before using the saw and then redraw the design on the back with pencil. If I end up changing the front to the back, I erase and redraw. The water from the saw usually erases a lot of the pencil mark. I might try using the fine line felt tip pen.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 12, 2008 16:20:57 GMT -5
I have used Aliminum , felt tips ,Brass rods but found that a permanant marker (as others above have said)
It is fantastic after it dries the water actualy runs of the mark,
jack
Yorkshire UK
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Post by stonesthatrock on Jun 13, 2008 12:01:54 GMT -5
felt tip marker gets my vote.
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Post by rockrookie on Jun 13, 2008 19:15:12 GMT -5
felt tip marker it is!!!! thanks & i already have several . thankyou all for advice . paul
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free4rms
freely admits to licking rocks
My little pet walrus
Member since January 2007
Posts: 839
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Post by free4rms on Jun 14, 2008 20:10:37 GMT -5
Another vote for the fine tip marker. I use the Bic "Mark It". The tip is very fine and the ink is indelible. You can remove it with acetone if you need to, though.
Vance
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::)crazy . if not what else ? thanks !! paul
