Replies

1. 
   highfigh | Nov 29, 2005 05:47pm | #1

   Go to an artist supply store and get a good drafting lead holder. It's the same thing, only better if you spend the money. I have the same "cabinetmaker's pencil", just not happy yours crapped out. What happened to it? My lead holder stays inside, or I use .5mm and .7mm Pentel type pencils. For my drawings, I don't worry as much about line weight as I had to when I was in school. I don't grade my drawings.

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
2. 
   mudman | Nov 29, 2005 08:32pm | #2

   I have the one from Rockler and it is pretty consistant with what the art supply stores sell. The problem I had was that the lead was cheep. An art supply store will have lead that is of higher quality and it comes in different hardnesses.

   Mike

3. 
   Thew | Nov 29, 2005 09:40pm | #3

   I have fallen in love with the 0.9mm Pentel pencils (the yellow ones). I have a tendancy to push hard while writing, and the lead is thick enough to stand up to it while still being fine enough for more detailed work. I think they can be picked up in multi-packs at a office supply store (I need several, since one never seems to stay where I want it). Just my thoughts.

   Thew

4. 
   derekb | Nov 29, 2005 10:26pm | #4

   This pencil is amazing I have had on for 3 years and find it works great

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=45504&cat=1,42936

   Derek

1. 
   Michael | Nov 30, 2005 12:17am | #6

   This is the most common one I've seen.

   I had one for about 10 years from my sketch / drafting days before it broke.  Then, low and behold, there it was on Lee Valley's site :)

   The lead that they carry is very good quality.  The unit has an aluminum lead sharpener in the end (where the eraser would be).

   Excellent pencils, worth the money as they are aluminum and have a nice weight about them.  Same as the one I bought in an art supply store 10 years prior.

   gluck

   michael

5. 
   pqken | Nov 30, 2005 12:09am | #5

   I will echo the same sentiment, go to an artist supply or drafting supply. I've been using an illustration pencil for many years. Thick lead and the sharpener is a small little thing that you can get the lead needle sharp if you have too.

6. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 30, 2005 04:01am | #7

   cabinetmaker pencil with the thick leads (2mm?) I THOUGHT they were the skinny ones! Or was that .05 or something.. My local Wallgreens drug store has tons of them 2 mm ones!

7. 
   DanielW | Nov 30, 2005 04:52am | #8

   i am in love with the bic disposable pencils. they come witht ree leads but i usully have to retire them before they run out of lead. that means they eraser is still there. four bucks a dozzen, i go through a box overy month or so.

8. 
   JeffHeath | Nov 30, 2005 05:14am | #9

   I'm still using my lead holder from my college drafting class 23 years ago.  It still holds lead, and I get the lead at office depot.  I still sharpen it on sandpaper, too.  I guess old habits die hard.  I also have the small (.5mm ??) pencils laying around which I use with the incra measuring/marking guides.

   Jeff

1. 
   philip | Nov 30, 2005 12:11pm | #10

   If you use the propelling pen used by draughftsmen you will see that it is .5mm thick (so needs no sharpening)and more important, the leads are special strong, so they don't break easily: these are not to be confused with the ordinary .5mm leads which look the same but are only good for writing/drawing on paper in a civilised manner (not marking out on wood).
   The ones I have are Faber Castell made in Germany. The tube holding the lead extends afurther 6mm or so-good for marking dovetails etc.
   Pencils, sharpeners etc are for the birds (and innaccuracy).
   Just my sixpence worth.
   Oh yes and I also commit the heretical act of using Parker ball point pen refills as they are i.e not in the pen-the fine ones make a thin visible line and can get into corners etc as in dove tails-no body has ever seen evidence of this dastardly practice on my work....
   Ofcourse various scribes and marking knives have their place as well.
   I have digressed.Philip Marcou

1. 
   WillGraham | Dec 01, 2005 04:19am | #11

   I like working in walnut and I can't always see pencil lead marks. Has anyone seen "white" pencil leads for mechanical pencils 

1. 
   philip | Dec 01, 2005 10:02am | #12

   Will, I would like to see white leads-but I suspect they don't exist , apart from the crayon type which are not for us.
   When I use Wenge and similar dark woods I resort to a white roller ball type paint pen-makes a visible but thickish line , but at least it is visible-also no problem with removing it.Philip Marcou

2. 
   BossCrunk | Dec 01, 2005 07:05pm | #13

   Yes, they are available at art supply stores.