Replies

1. 
   mvflaim | May 11, 2010 07:32pm | #1

   Dykem

   Amazon.com carries it  http://www.amazon.com/Red-oz-Can-Brush-Cap/dp/B002SLJIDO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=industrial&qid=1273620561&sr=8-1

   I bought mine here for a little bit cheaper. http://www.sri-supplies.com/products/dykem-layout-fluid-red-16oz-aerosol-131586-80096.cfm/search_criteria/dykem

1. 
   jyang949 | May 12, 2010 12:05pm | #2

   Thanks for the two links.

   Right after I posted my question, the piano tuner arrived. He's not a machinist, but he has lived in Bergen County a lot longer than I have, so I asked him where to buy layout fluid. Finally tracked it down in Teterboro, about 13 miles away.

   Which product do you prefer, brush-on or spray-on?

   Janet

1. 
   mvflaim | May 12, 2010 03:45pm | #3

   Molding plane baldes

   I use it to lay out the profile of molding plane blades so I prefer to brush it on. The stuff has a very strong odor so make sure you open the windows.

   Mike

2. 
   roc | May 12, 2010 10:10pm | #4

   Oops I was replying to jyang and poked the wrong button

   Anyway, I just wanted to say don't buy a large amount. My experience with the brush on is it breaks down after a couple of years, gets dingy and just doesn't dye the surface nearly as well as when new. Also you probably already know this but if not here goes: The surface you put it on needs to be light colored, ground, sanded or what they call cold rolled. Hot rolled steel that still has the dark colored scale on it will not produce crisp silver scribe lines. It is no fun to have to sand (power sand by the way ) the scale off before laying out.

1. 
   sapwood | May 13, 2010 10:57am | #6

   Scale off

   One can remove mill scale from mild steel by soaking in a 20% +/- solution of muriatic acid. It doesn't take long. The scale on light gage steel plate comes off faster than that on heavy structural steel. But it will all come off. Rinse and dry the steel immediately after or watch it rust. Scale removed from steel sheets in the 12 gage or so range leaves a lovely surface that resembles a worn nickel. Buff it with a maroon scotch-bright pad and it becomes very nice indeed.

   I like working with steel as much as I like wood.

1. 
   roc | May 13, 2010 09:48pm | #7

   The stuff they clean driveways with isn't it ? Get at Home Depo
   My friend Ken used to clean hot rolled with that. Thanks for bringing it up I was keeping it simple.

   Magic marker,

   As often as not for smaller layouts I too grab a magic marker. Less smell and mess.

2. 
   RickL | May 13, 2010 07:43am | #5

   Layout fluid options

   Layout fluid is available from metalworking supply sources such as mcmaster, enco, Wholesale tool, etc.

   Consider an inexpensive alternative. A wide 3/4" chisel tipped magic  marker.  As a Metasmith I use layot fluid but it's just as  handy to just grab a wide tipped magic marker for the occasional use.  Even a regualr magic marker will suffice and you can get those anywhere.

1. 
   woodworking pdfs | May 17, 2010 03:46pm | #8

   You can look at these webpage for woodworking pdfs

   http://woodworkingpdf.blogspot.com/2010/05/own-made-wood-picture-frames.html

   http://woodworkingpdf.blogspot.com/2010/05/woodworking-bedroom-dresser-cabinets.html

   http://woodworkingpdf.blogspot.com