[How-To] Scriber material

[DavidR8]

I'd like to make a decent scriber since I'm always looking for something when doing layout. I recently came into some brass rod for the body but I'm at a loss of what to use for the scribe part.
I was thinking of using a 3/32" TIG electrode as they seem to be very hard, albeit perhaps a bit brittle.
Any suggestions on good material to use?

 

[Weldingrod1]

The perfect thing is a broken carbide pcb drill. Carbide core in a 1/8" steel shank. Grind a point and Bob's your uncle!

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[Ed ke6bnl]

The perfect thing is a broken carbide pcb drill. Carbide core in a 1/8" steel shank. Grind a point and Bob's your uncle!

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I made one from a lead drafting pencil holder and use a sharpened tig Tungsten rod, works for me

 

[TIM-RANEY]

David...I use an old Starrett watchmaker's screwdriver....sharpened to a tip. When it gets a little dull, it takes a couple of seconds to sharpen on a grinding wheel, sanding belt or #220 grit paper on a block. In your case, the drill approach cited above is a great idea too. I made a scribe with a brass handle and used 0.125" diameter O-1 tool steel...hardening and tempering the tip was easy to do: heat to cherry red (or so) with a propane torch and quench in vegetable or motor oil. Clean the oxide off with #220 grit paper and then heat until it turns a straw color.

 

[DavidR8]

I made one from a lead drafting pencil holder and use a sharpened tig Tungsten rod, works for me

Great idea!


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[DavidR8]

Excellent feedback gents!


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[Ulma Doctor]

Broken HSS , carbide or cobalt drills/mills bits work wonderfully
(not that i have ever broken endmills or drills )

Clickspring uses hardened sewing needles for fine work

 

[Illinoyance]

Phonograph needles, about $6.85 per hundred.

 

[mikey]

Starrett also sells hardened steel and carbide replacement scribe tips on Amazon. I own scribes with both of these kinds of tips and they work really well but the carbide one stays sharp longer.

 

[CootaStew]

Tungsten electrode seems to work well. Another material which should be good is Silver Steel (hardened and tempered).