Does anybody make a decent round soapstone holder???

[biguglydave]

I've tried several. I've been through a few of the Wypo brand with the brass body and nut on the back and the no-name "Made in USA" in aluminum with the nut that tightens on the front. They all slip. Anybody found a good one?

[M J D]

I've tried several. I've been through a few of the Wypo brand with the brass body and nut on the back and the no-name "Made in USA" in aluminum with the nut that tightens on the front. They all slip. Anybody found a good one?

I've stopped using using round soapstone ( and pretty much flat also) one of the reasons being the POS holders. Pretty much just use the " silver steak" mechanical pencil. What I did do before using the silver streak was to put a piece of heat shrink tubing over the soapstone and treat it like a wooden pencil.

[smithdoor]

They use to make good round holder.
But cost was high for round so back to rectangular and silver pencil lead rectangular for fine work.

Dave

I've tried several. I've been through a few of the Wypo brand with the brass body and nut on the back and the no-name "Made in USA" in aluminum with the nut that tightens on the front. They all slip. Anybody found a good one?

[whtbaron]

Looks like a market opportunity for you...

[biguglydave]

I've stopped using using round soapstone ( and pretty much flat also) one of the reasons being the POS holders. Pretty much just use the " silver steak" mechanical pencil. What I did do before using the silver streak was to put a piece of heat shrink tubing over the soapstone and treat it like a wooden pencil.

Silver streaks are a whole other rant. The standard silver streak mechanical pencil never seems to hold up for long and then I lose the little silver cap. I’ve also been through 2 of the fatter “Pro” versions and they both stopped feeding after after the third refill. I really like the line a silver streak makes but also run into holder issues…

[M J D]

Silver streaks are a whole other rant. The standard silver streak mechanical pencil never seems to hold up for long and then I lose the little silver cap. I’ve also been through 2 of the fatter “Pro” versions and they both stopped feeding after after the third refill. I really like the line a silver streak makes but also run into holder issues…

Same here. The earlier version didn't have the cap that comes off. Supposed to be a " sharpener". Another option is one off the silver " sharpie" markers. Off course forget about seeing that on shiny metal.

[mla2ofus]

I just use the flat soapstone about 3" long and keep sharpening it on the side of the bench grinder wheel. When it gets too short I file 13 it and start over. Carbide scribe works good on shiny stuff.

[12V71]

I just use the flat soapstone about 3" long and keep sharpening it on the side of the bench grinder wheel. When it gets too short I file 13 it and start over. Carbide scribe works good on shiny stuff.

Same here, I break them in half and sharpen both ends, I seem to have plenty at arms reach... everywhere.

[farmersammm]

Couldn't pay me to own a mechanical pencil. I hate 'em.

For over 20yrs I've used a silver art pencil. They work great EXCEPT that the damn lead always breaks, or small sections simply fall out of the end of the pencil body.

LWS recently switched to a "welders pencil" from the art pencil, which I'll probably find to be just as bad at shedding the lead............but maybe not(shrug). I guess I'll find out the first time I use one. Got a bunch of the old pencils to work through first.

They all suck, but if you need a fine, and accurate line, there's no substitute.

Cost about 75 cents apiece I think.

[RCcrawler]

I quit using round. I switched to 1/16" flat. do a search for them on amazon or ebay.

[John T]

LWS recently switched to a "welders pencil" from the art pencil, ..

That looks interesting.... Have to look for that.

I had a fine line permanent marker for the longest time..... but it grew legs....

Can't remember the name....... I discovered it on this forum....

if anyone knows what it is...

[SlowBlues]

Flat soapstone no holder user here as well. I sharpen on whatever concrete is around, or rough metal, and sometimes a grinder/sander when I'm near one. I use markers more often.

Milwaukee inkzall sharpie style markers, carbide scribe, and soapstone are always on me/around me when doing metal work.

A line scribed through marker ink is my favorite for fine markings.

For general stuff I also use .9 paper mate cheap mechanical pencils, round and flat carpenters pencils, and uniball jetstream retractable pens (good ink in those).

[cwby]

Home depot/Lowes/ Amazon has retractable carpenter pencil lanyards. Regular flat and round soapstone will fit & stay in the rubber boot with a little custom shaping. Clip on your pocket or bibs & you always have it handy. I pin mine with a short piece of Mig wire.
https://www.amazon.com/Pencil-Pull-R.../dp/B010E9LN3O

[smithdoor]

I have purchased the silver pencil from art and drafting store.

Dave

PS: I was using pencils but I doing some must layout I need a pocket full of pencils.
The work great for small jobs.

Couldn't pay me to own a mechanical pencil. I hate 'em.

For over 20yrs I've used a silver art pencil. They work great EXCEPT that the damn lead always breaks, or small sections simply fall out of the end of the pencil body.

LWS recently switched to a "welders pencil" from the art pencil, which I'll probably find to be just as bad at shedding the lead............but maybe not(shrug). I guess I'll find out the first time I use one. Got a bunch of the old pencils to work through first.

They all suck, but if you need a fine, and accurate line, there's no substitute.

Cost about 75 cents apiece I think.

[sqznby]

I've tried several. I've been through a few of the Wypo brand with the brass body and nut on the back and the no-name "Made in USA" in aluminum with the nut that tightens on the front. They all slip. Anybody found a good one?

I have never used one and probably never will.

I'll buy a large box of the rectangular soap and sharpen a small handful and have them laying around the shop.

Silver streaks are great for fine lines as long as you don't press down too hard. Sharpener can be annoying. Haven't tried the Pro.

I also use a long nose/long reach pens Pica, Fastcap etc,,, also come in handy.

[NathanDoty]

Markall silver streak

[mrmikey]

I just use the flat soapstone about 3" long and keep sharpening it on the side of the bench grinder wheel.

Ditto here. I've also use a 1/4" carbon rod in a pinch, I found the she silver pencils didn't last..............Mike

[Lis2323]

Markall silver streak

Same but as MJD mentioned they work well on mill scale but not shiny stock.


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[12V71]

Same but as MJD mentioned they work well on mill scale but not shiny stock.


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Yeah, the shiny stuff I use super fine sharpie or a scribe for lay outs for drilling, etc. Very seldom am I cutting that stuff (cold drawn tubing or sheet) with a torch. Guides and jigs for the plasma cutter work better.

[smithdoor]

This what like using.
One box is a life time supply
Works best of all marking
I still use soap stone too.

http://marker-markal.com/rods-for-ma...rker-rods.html

Dave

[CAVEMANN]

I had a nice round soapstone holder, but it grew legs & walked of sometime, it held the stone really well.

[biguglydave]

So after all this, it sounds like the answer is "No", everyone does something else. For the last 6 weeks I've been saddling used oilfield pipe, so Silver streak is not a real great option. I guess I'll just keep fighting the cheap ones....

[smithdoor]

Mine is in my tool chest under the tools I use all time. I just was tire of spending money on round stones.

Dave

I had a nice round soapstone holder, but it grew legs & walked of sometime, it held the stone really well.

[Denis G]

For the round aluminum soapstone holders, the leading edge of the collet should be sharp to hold the chalk in place. If it's not, put a piece of 1/4-in steel rod in place of the chalk, and held in so it's just shy of the leading edge. Lightly peen the leading edge inward, so it has a new sharp edge to bite the chalk.

[mla2ofus]

This what like using.
One box is a life time supply
Works best of all marking
I still use soap stone too.

http://marker-markal.com/rods-for-ma...rker-rods.html

Dave

At that price it should last several lifetimes!!