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Ok since were discussing the essentials trucks, tape measures , hole saws now the biggie.
Where do you get your pencils from, do you buy’em or gett’em from the lumber yard. What kind do you use, flat cap pencils or round ones with erasers, I get mine from the lumber yard bunches and i like the round kind with erasers the smaller thinner line makes for better more accurate cuts. of course Im not a framer i work with a lot of hard woods but i use it on the little framing I do.
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I bought a box of the Lee Valley branded pencils, which turned out to made by the same company in England that makes the premium pencils that the local drafting supply store sell. The 2H pencils keep a fine point for days, while the 2B's are just super for sketching out an idea. Once you've used a really good pencil, you'll never want to use the pedestrian versions again.
*I keep a round/eraser pencil and a carpenter's pencil in my pouch. The carpenter's pencil has both ends sharpened to a chisel tip. Also have a lumber crayon and a sharpie marker in there. Sharpie's great for writing my name on MY water jug (damn mooching co-workers....)The carpenter's pencils come from the lumberyard. The round ones...either an office supply store or, often, I just pick them up off the ground. Finders keepers.
*Man you guys,you're supposed to mark it right the first time.Ya mean they make erasers for all them wrong marks?That outta save me some money on sandpaper.Where do you hang the pencil sharpener for them round ones?hehehe OK,OK, just kidding- don't start flamin Bobs perfect little world. The free flat pencils I get are great till they get wet.The wood expands and when we sharpen them with our dull box knife it pulls the lead out.Bummin!Bob
*Bob, man, yer' supposed to using those clever pencil sharpeners for the flat carp's pencils.... Seen those? Sam
*Sam-I keep losing those things.I just need to change my box knife blades more often or stay outta the rain. hehe
*Keiths "trick of the trade #43"......take your buddies flat pencil, and secretly snap it hard on the deck a few times before giving it back to him. Everytime he sharpens it the lead will fall out since it is now in many pieces inside.
*YOU ASS!!! YOUR THE GUY THAT KEEPS MESSING UP MY PENCIL!!!!LMAO I'll have to try that.
*Round ones for me, regular street version. I spent some time behind a desk, During that time I managed to obtain a battery powered pencil sharpener. hehehesome look at me a little funny though. Besides those flat ones don't fit into my pencil holder.
*I think 10 bic pens go for $1.50 and work most of the time.They don't like wet wood and the tips go long before the ink. They make a nice line to cut to but i dont know if for trim the ink could bleed through paint.I dont know ,im a framer.I use a pencil when a pen doesnt work. Usually I'm the worst pencil sharpner on the job . Its amusing to me to see just how different each carpenter's sharpened pencil looks. Do not drop your pencil at a crime scene.I guess this pen stuff ought to get me kicked off this thread. Think I'll head over to Fine Cooking.
*5mm. mechanical with sleeve for trim and shop work as well as drawings, flat in tool belt for framing and layouts. Sharpie for marking name on tools, etc. and for leaving bold note for the sub that didn't show up when he was supposed to, " You missed me, call again" Rubbing alchohol will erase pencil marks and some sharpie marks.
*five mm!!!one fat linea nail when I can't find my pencil
*Was in Home Cheapo today, box of pencils on counter, no price on them, thought they were free. Without asking, threw one in pile of merchandise. Nope, not free, cashier rang up 48 cents.
*r, today I was at a real lumberyard and asked if I could have a pencil. The clerk asked round or flat, I said "one of each?" I got a big handful of each.
*bought a 3 1/2 door hinge template from tool store they had a pile of flats on the counter asked if they were free, yep they said grabbed a pile and stuck them into my back pocket and more into bag toldja i was "thrifty" I wont buy a stinking pencil
*Ron - wait till the lumberyard makes a delivery, and ask the driver - I usually get a handful plus I don't have to endure the scorn of the hottie behind the counter ... the best flat carpenter pencils I've found are the "Great Neck" brand - I find 'em at Wal Mart. At least, they don't fall apart as quick as most.
*Lumberyard freebies - the only pencils I buy, oh wait they're free.
*I HATE having to pay for a pencil! I'm only 34.......BUT.....IN MY DAY........the bastards were ALWAYS FREE! I don't even like having to ask/beg for them! They usta-be thrown at ya....here.....have a pencil.....order some lumber....here....have a box! Ahhh......the good old days. The tool repair guy looked at me funny when he picked up a broken gun....and asked....anything else when I come back.....I said, yeah....."a bunch of free pencils"......he just brought back the gun! Jeff
*I actually got told once," of course we charge for them now, they don't grow on trees"!
*Very few things are free, you pay for them one way or another.
*Rough Work - SharpieDay To Day - 9 MM Mechanical PencilFine Work - 3/4 " Olfa Knife
*Blah, blah, blah.....I want mine free! Let the next guy pay for it! It's advertising....it should come outta their budget! Jeff
*9mm mechanical pencils!!!!!!! That's like freakin' 1/4" to us 'mericans, are they made in Texas or sumpin'?
*And close to 3/8" in the Imperial system.
*Keith, 9 mm = strong 11/32 ".9 mm = what I meant = a typical sharp pencil = 1.1/32 "Phil,Your brilliance is embarassing
*Staples or Office Depot#4 lead - Sharpen one every few days. Mounted a sharpener on floorboard of truck beside the seat on the driver side. If it needs a touch just give it a crank before you start to work.
*Got one of those little battery operated pencil sharpeners in the console of the truck for my ear pencils. every time I go to 84 lumber they give me a sleeve of pretty red flat pencils. I got more freakin pencils than I know what to do with. like the other guys said usually I use the ear pencil (round, well actually hexagonal) and for trim or anything requiring a little more accuracy a 0.5mm mechanical pencil. although the awl works pretty darn good too.
*My lumber supplier keeps me covered up with flat and round pencils, not to mention the caps and calanders they send out. I generally keep a round one under my cap and a flat in my pouches.
*This has turned out to be quite the amusing thread.For me, flat for framing and round for trim. I must have a zillion flat pencils that have gotten to short to pull out of the pencil slot in my belt. I'm too cheap to throw away a free pencil.What's with Home Cheapo? They will give you a fist full of paint sticks when you buy a quart of paint but won't give you a pencil when you spend a grand on lumber. Go figure.Scott R.
*My brother-in-law works for a lumberyard. I'm too cheap to say no and too lazy to throw them away — I have a shelf filled with BOXES of the flat ones.Drop by and I'll hand you a lifetime supply, no matter how many rainstorms you go through.
*Anybody in Western Washington...If you live near Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel, would you stop by there and find out what a box of the round pencils would cost ?
*If you are inthe midwest go to a farm show most of the seed companies have pencils , some even come sharpened .
*It's gotta be flat for rough lumber (you can whip out a mark with your right hand as your left is holding up the rafter!) Thats the nice thing about the flats, they're strong enough for quick marks when you don't have time to write semi-carefully. I usually use an automatic, it's never dull! .3 or 5mm for prints, .7 or 9mm for general.
*Something nobody has mentioned yet: According to the old guy I spent a summer building a restaraunt(sp) with, you should never have to buy a pencil. They should be given to you by the yard, or another carpenter. something about bad luck. So I get the cheapo flatties for free from my local yard, and buy a six-pack of the semi-disposable .5 mm mechanicals for trim.
*Hi guy's I 've sent this thread to my local lumber yard owner, after busting his ass over "free " pencils. He finally saw the light and gave all the contractors a box of 72 pencils for xmas. He was a hero for at least an hour. HAHA
*Hi RonThis is a good question and is very personal.Depending on what you are doing will determine the types of pencils you will be using.For framing and rough work I like to use a square carpenters pencil or a old style drafting pencil. The carpenters pencils I get free from lumber yards and suppliers. I also use a carpenter pencil sharpener that will provide a good point to a square carpenter pencil, the only problem I have is most of the pencil that are given out free will keep breaking when using a carpenter pencil sharpener, so for those it back to the old knife. Now the drafting pencil is the old type that uses the fat lead. I like a BH lead for a dark line. They are .0775 inches in dia. If you always turn the pencil as you draw, it keeps a good point. The only problem I have is everyone around me like using my drafting pencils also, and they are not free, so they tend to walk away.For finer work and finish I like to also use a number of the layout scale on the market today that use a 5mm pencil.The scale have holes for placement of the 5mm lead for dim. and angles, etc. and with bad eyes any more anything is a great help.
*I like a flat pencil for scribing, just remember its marking 3/32 high!
*I use a cheap block plane to sharpen up those &*^#$% flat pencils.
*Ticondiroga #3 pencil with a silver clip so it stays in my apron pocket. Pencil sharpener by the garage door going into the house. Never start a Monday with a new pencil. Before sharpening new one remove clip from old one and rub together, so the new one will not make the same mistakes. Take the pencil sharpener with you so that the owners know that you are done. [email protected]
*#4 hard drafting pencils, about .80 per, I go through about two dozen a year counting the ones i furnish for helpers that want to spend half of thier time sharpening a junk pencil, and the other half making quarter of an inch wide lines so they can miscut good material.
*I got a flat one right here with Sheldon Lumber Co. Everything To Build With PH. 313-529-2690 stamped on it. Never heard of the place but we have several boxes full from there. Our pencil supplier must have over runs or seconds, no idea but they are just fine for us.
*Who cares what you use for framing, a nail works fine. But .5mm for trim? Give me a little more heft, .9 is good and .7 is gooder...but whadda I know, I just do it for a living...bunch of sisses, put a real mark down...
*I can do almost everything I want with a big fat flat carp. pencil. It also works as a scribe, shim, gauge......A sharp #2 pencil sometimes for finish work........Anyone in the trades caught BUYING a carpenter's pencil should be put out of their misery, same thing with 5-gallon buckets! -Ken
*Always sharpen flat pencils with a knife. Those little sharpeners are for wimps and they suck. They sharpen the pencil and leave the wood all the way to the end on the sides. So guess what, 9times /10 you gotta get out the dang knife anyway. Your father should teach you how to sharpen pencils with a knife. Thats just the way it is. Also,everyones mark should be a little different. Wrap a flat pencil with velcro and put the other velcro side in places you need to store the pencils, hat, belt, chop saw stand, beer can, etc. Only pay for pencils if you are going to give them away. Best tip I ever got. Just one mans opinion. Home Cheapo is Home Cheapo because they dont give away pencils. They also don't give me a receipt because I don't buy anything there. Take your business where its appreciated.
*Yo, Ralph! Yeah those carp. pencil are so friggin' stupid. Any carp. seen w/one of those should also be taught a lesson, and asked why he calls himself a carp.. Also just MY opinion.
*I have been following this thread for quite some time now, before christmas actually.I told the owner of our local lumber yard if he wanted to be a real hero for christmas to give all the contractors a box of pencils for christmas. He did and he was a hero (well for at least an hour) I now have enough pencils for the year.Never ever pay for a pencilOr 5 gallon bucket.
*With all the talk of pencils I have to relate a funny story.Im a trim carpenter & use a 5mm mechanical pencil. I ran out of lead in mine so I grabbed my daughters Barbie pencil & sharpener from her desk (Shes 5.. She wont miss them) Nice brilliant pink with flowers.. Just loverly!Anyways.. I too keep my pencil on my head under my Lee Valley tools ball cap. Between the band & my skull. Well aparently Barbie makes a damn fine sharpener because when I stuck the newly sharpened pencil in my hat I felt a little poke. Then a nice line of Red to match the Pink of the pencil.. THank GOD pencils arent LEAD cause Id be DEAD after impalling my head. Kinda rymes huh?Duh. Glad the lead didnt break off. Explain THAT to the emergency room nurse.Uh.. KInda poked myself.. Can you remove the point from my flat head?Geesh.. GOD DOESNT LIKE WHEN YOU STEAL YOUR KIDS STUFF!God Bless Ya!Ted
*THank GOD pencils arent LEAD cause Id be DEAD after impalling my head. Kinda rymes huh? Ted, you're a poet that don't know it.BTW,, I'M PICKING THESE THINGS UP OFF THE GROUND!I'm serious, I keep on the look out, supplier only gives out so many per hack of studs, send me your stubbies, c/o HB Inc312 Calvert Ave, suite 300Alex. Va. 22301
*My woodworking skills are so bad that I have no problem getting by with a crayon. I usually measure once, cut once and if its too short I cut it again. Fortunately, with the crayon when I split the line I rarely come up too short. Just kidding about the crayon but not about my skills.
*A round pencil with eraser lasts about 94 seconds in my pouches before it is sheared off by the first object it bumps into. I trim with the big fat flat ones. For those that shall call me a hack for this, stick it. It's not the size of the lead that matters, it's how sharp you can make it, and my big fat flat ones are like needles on the ends.
*Right on, Tim! Can do it ALL w/the big fat flat one. Sharpen w/utility knife, then flat on sandpaper and you're done. -Ken
*To compliment Ken and Tim, I really don't use a crayon anymore. I use the flat ones because I'm not constantly bending over picking up the round one that keeps rolling off the bench on onto the floor. A flat pencil can be made as sharp as you want it and it can also save your back.S
*Quality! Measure with lasers, mark with chalk, and cut with an axe!Overheard: "He could wreck a steel ball with a rubber mallet in a pile of sand!"Funny thread. --TJM
*Although a ballpoint pen doesn't work all the time, it works alot of the time and if i keep a couple in my pouch along with a flat pencil i'm pretty well covered for busted lead, overhead marking or wet wood.If the pen doesn't work i use the pencil. If the lead is broke or too dull i use the pen.If the pen doesn't work and the lead is broke i sigh and sharpen the pencil or try the other pen.Half the time i knick the lead sharpehing it and it breaks off using it.I'm a framer.No one could talk me out of keeping a couple pens in my pouch.What a line!
*Flat pencils for meAnd non-flat women. Never paid for a pencil in my life, and have no plans to start.
*Boss- And did you ever pay for a woman? :o) -Ken
*You guys don't mark with a rock knife or a nail? I can never find the friggin' pencil.Oh, and I agree with killing any tradesman who buys a pencil.
*Oohhhhhhh Man - Don't i evenbring that up if the wife is around. Touchy subject.
*Boss- My last comment was made on March 3rd. Can't beleive it took you 2 weeks to get back here! LOL :o) -Ken