Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat Fairbank
My favorite set of low-tech tools for laying out holes and lines consists of a combination square, a blue marker, a scribe, and a center punch. When marking a hole, for instance, you can set the combination square to the X and Y distances to the hole from the edges of the workpiece, and scribe two lines to establish the point (use the blue marker to provide some contrast before scribing). Then mark the hole with a center punch, and drill with a center drill before the actual size you want, as twist drills tend to walk.
|
Requoted for truth.
If you use a sharpie with a 1/8" thick tip to mark your spot, the best accuracy you'll get is 1/8". Instead, use the marker to mark nearly the spot, then use a scribe or other sharp object to mark exactly the spot.
If you make a cross or X with a scribe, you can 'feel' the intersection of the lines with your center punch, ensuring you hit the mark perfectly.
Measurement and markout is a skill and the techniques can be learned, just put in some effort and don't settle for 'close enough'. After a while you'll get fast at it too.