Marking dark Walnut

[Godzilla]

Having done a number of dovetails by hand, I felt that I am getting better with each attempt. Now, I am working on a small (2-1/2" x 2-1/2" x 2") box, and I had a leftover piece of Walnut that had enough material for the job.

My problem is: seeing the lines that I mark to make the saw cuts and chisel trim down to markings. I have made marking knife cuts, .5mm pencil marks, and combinations of the two. I have squinted by overhead flourescent lighting, propped up a portable flourecent fixture in precarious positions nearby, etc.

The work that I have completed is not up to the standard that I would be proud of, and I attribute this to the difficulty in seeing where I am at. Is there some marking method for dark colored woods that I have overlooked? Please don't suggest chalk, as that is wider than some of the pins. ;-)

Thanks,

Godzilla

[Ed. O.]

Sharpie puts out "Metallic" fine point permanent marker. . .silver in color. I use it around the shop for marking dark materials like the inside of sanding cylinders. It is permanent so be careful to mark just the cut side. It might be worth a try.

[Mike G]

Make you marks with the striking knife then go over the wood with a piece of light chalk. The cuts should show up as dark lines.

[Victor Radin]

Check your local art supply store or teacher's center. Look for white or yellow colored pencils. Or just swipe them from the kid's collection when they're not looking.

I've also used garment marking chalk- super fine edge, but waxy.

Vic

[Jay]

Support your local Monkee...

fine point White-out pens:

[JeffB]

For dark wood, use a marking knife, then run a white pencil over the scribed line - just the opposite of light wood, where you can use a regular pencil to highlight the knife line.

JeffB

Godzilla wrote:

[Rossmoor Don]

Go to an Art Supply store and buy a white colored pencil. It works great!

[B a r r y]

White or yellow colored pencils, crayons, or china markers, OVER the marking knives' mark. The knife provides the precision, the white or yellow provides the visibility.

I frequently use lumber crayons to denote faces, top/bottom, jointer or planer feed direction, even on light woods.

Barry

[Slowhand]

model. I'm there! Thanks. SH - in the 21st century