A magical pencil that won't break and you can see the lines

[Smashedfinger]

I have been searching for a nice pencil that will not snap off, and I can actually see the lines I drew. apparently this strange phenomena has yet to be devised.
While hunting for unicorns; I thought I had found a .9mm mechanical pencil that left dark lines, and did not snap off every time I drew a line. Then back to reality. It either breaks, or I can barley make out the joint I just laid out.
Any other folks find something they can see, AND is durable?

[mdhills]

Al pencils will break with enough force

A soft pencil will leave a darker line more easily
(And will require sharpening more frequently)
Try a “B” pencil

You can also go with a. Lead holder, which use pretty thick leads. (Just don’t spill the residue from the sharpener in your shop)

Matt

[Handplanesandmore]

Al pencils will break with enough force

A soft pencil will leave a darker line more easily
(And will require sharpening more frequently)
Try a “B” pencil

You can also go with a. Lead holder, which use pretty thick leads.  (Just don’t spill the residue from the sharpener in your shop)

Matt

Sharpening?

You a carpenter or what?

Just joking.


 

Simon

[mdhills]

Sharpening?

You a carpenter or what?

Simon

My lead holders are from drafting, but I recall Chris Schwarz had a note about them, too.


https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodw...ide-day-1/

(the one he links to is much chunkier than the ones I used for drafting)


Matt

[url=https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fd2ydh70d4b5xgv.cloudfront.net%2Fimages%2Ff%2Fa%2Fvintage-dietzgen-mechanical-pencil-pointer-n3230-sharpoint-sharpener-46164ef7712de2645331e9557ba7c3cb.jpg&f=1&nofb=1][/url]

[Derek Cohen]

Look up Zebra DelGuard 0.5mm Lead Mechanical Pencil.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Handplanesandmore]

I use Delguard 0.3mm & Graphgear Pantel 0.5mm, both standing up to their reputation. Very hard to break in regular use. If I didn't have a Delguard already, I'd get a Graphgear 1000 0.3mm too. The latter's retraction system is so good.

0.7mm is the thickest lead I'd ever use; mostly 0.5mm, 0.3mm when that super fine line is called for now and then (say for dead on alignments).

Simon

[daddo]

A sharp scratch awl. You'd be surprised.

[Handplanesandmore]

A sharp scratch awl. You'd be surprised.

Yes, it has its place...one weakness of it is it can't be undone as quickly as a swipe of an eraser.

Simon

[tomsteve]

Any other folks find something they can see, AND is durable?

a pen

[K. L. McReynolds]

Try a carpenter pencil sharpened to a flat point. I generally start by using a utility knife to get the wood off. Then  a 1/4 sheet of 150 grit sandpaper on a flat surface to finish the fine point.