I have seen many people mention that they use a .3mm pencil for their drawing. Where can order these? None of my local office supply, craft or drafting supply stores have them. One office supply store has the leada but siad they cannot get the pencils.

Thanks

Kevin Monahan
2/15/2007 5:19:28 PM

Hello Kevin.
Pentel and several other major companies make 0.3mm pencils.
These companies and Scripto make the leads for them.
I have been able to buy them in most art stores.
One of the stores is Walser's Art supply service@walsers.com
http:www.walsers.com
I think I have seen them in Office Depot or Kinkos too.
Hope this helps, if not PM me and i will take care of it.
Thanks for all the work you did for FEGA in Reno.
Much appreciated.
John.

John Barraclough
2/15/2007 6:45:14 PM

John,

Thanks for the info. I tried Office Depot and Office Max in Bako but neither of them carry them. I'll look for them on the website you suggested.

Thanks

Kevin Monahan
2/15/2007 7:03:33 PM

Hi Kevin,

I have bought the 3mm pencils from the Staples web site.

Jim

James Wark
2/16/2007 12:54:19 PM

Kevin,
Here are some more sources for 0.3mm mechanical pencils and leads.
(supplies dot net) and (dickblick dot com)
You might also consider buying a lead holder and 2mm leads. These are sharpened with a lead pointer (I recommend a cast iron type - about 12 dollars). I have been using a 'KOH-I-NOOR' model 5611 lead holder for decades and the point may be sharpened to a long tapered needle if desired. I believe this will provide the finest point possible. The lead holders with a lead pointer do create some graphite dust when sharpening, so, a small cleaning cloth or sponge is helpful.
It will take some time to figure out what works best for you.
Craig

Craig Rasmussen
2/17/2007 2:51:16 PM

And here I am just using a #2 pencil..sharpened with a razor and then sanded to a point.......what will become of me now??????

Seriously though.....use what you have and don't get too uptight if you're not using the ultimate drawing or cutting tool. Try everything you can and figure out what works best for you. I have a desk full of #2's. Maybe I should try something new.
Marty

Martin Rabeno
2/17/2007 4:24:11 PM

As usual, can't find two people that engrave that do the same thing the same way :-)

Thanks to all for the info on where to get the pencils. Marty, I think I can find some #2s. If I come across the .3mm I'll see about getting it. For now I'll stick to my .5mm. It's easy to get the pencils and the refills.

Kevin Monahan
2/18/2007 12:18:15 AM

Kevin,
Marty brings up a good point. A .3mm pencil won't make you draw better, only lots of sheets of paper will. You do need something with a sharp point and the .3 is good for that but any pencil is better than none. I use the "old school" 2mm pencils and sharpener for my work only because I have them forever. I do find that a hard lead like a 4H or 6H will make a finer line and stay sharper. The problem is it won't be very dark for reproduction on a copy machine.
The bottom line is just keep drawing and cutting with what you have.
Also, you must understand that Marty wasn't allowed anything sharp until recently. He was only allowed crayons until he turned 50.....
He used to run with sissors too....
:)


Rex Pedersen
2/18/2007 8:05:34 AM

Rex
I have been sharpening my crayola crayons on the sly for some time now.....and I still run with my scissors . The screaming keeps me alert.

Kevin
Are you trying to draw on paper or the metal? When I draw on metal I dab the surface with modeling clay and dust it with talc so I can see what I am laying out.
Then I lightly scribble over it with my sharp crayons until they get dull......

Martin Rabeno
2/18/2007 9:02:18 AM

My original question was just out of curiosity. Since my day job has me in an office most of the time and I was authorizing an office supply purchase I looked throught the catalogs we had to see if the .3mm pencils were available.

Rex, I go through a lot of paper. Enough so that we have plenty for fire starter in the fireplace (when we are allowed to burn. This is California) or when we go camping. The lead I use is a 4H. If I need them darker I use the ultafine Sharpie to go over the lines and then into the copier or scanner.

Marty, I use the clay and then draw on the metal. I'll give the talc a try too if that helps the pencil show up easier.

Guess I'll also have to get the 64 box of Crayolas since it comes with the sharpener. Trying to sharpen them on the grinder seems to get a little gummy :-)

Kevin Monahan
2/18/2007 4:16:35 PM

Seriously Kevin
I don't have any problem drawing on the metal with a #2 pencil. Just keep it sharp. True, you can go finer and not sharpen as much. Putting the talc over the clay does matt the glare and metal out a bit and you can see the pencil or whatever you are using show up better. I pretty much lay things out in stages anyway so I don't get things all confused. As far as sketching for a design on paper, you should be drawing this out larger than the engraving would be anyway, so the #2 is not a problem there at all. I've just always had a ton of them around and got used to using them.


Martin Rabeno
2/18/2007 4:54:14 PM

Why don't you admit it Marty... You stole all those pencils from teaching school for all those years.
Kevin, as you saw in Reno, even after 25 years I still do drawing when I have a chance. You can never get enough.

Rex Pedersen
2/18/2007 5:23:04 PM

Rex,

At least now I have something to keep me busy during all of the boring meetings...drawing. I get some funny looks drawing scrolls, flowers and leaves.

Marty,

I do the drawings at double actual size and then reduce back down.



Kevin Monahan
2/18/2007 5:39:03 PM

The pencils from school were always put out on bid and weren't worth a dang. But the crayons were good.
Kevin, just remember there are two ends to a pencil.......don't be shy about using the eraser end as needed.

Martin Rabeno
2/18/2007 5:57:45 PM

Marty,

I wore out that end in the first five minutes. Had to take Rex's advice. One of the first things he recommended is the pink pearl eraser. I think he meant for rubbing on the metal to get the right finish, but I've only used them on paper. Good thing they come in multipacks (by the box of 10 at work).

Kevin Monahan
2/18/2007 9:33:22 PM

I see they now have mechanical crayons. Just twist and more crayon comes out. Sign me up! :-)

Marty and Rex - Thanks for the fun on this topic. I know a lot goes on on the other forums but this is the one to get the best for firearms and it is the first place I check for info.

Kevin Monahan
2/19/2007 4:30:37 PM

Kevin
The instant it stops being fun......pack up and call it quits. Some people take things way too seriously. There is a lot to learn for all of us here. New and older engraver alike.
Marty

Martin Rabeno
2/19/2007 4:57:12 PM

Now we need to find those engraving erasers!!!
The pink pearl works good on pencil but just doesn't seem to work with a 9o degree square.....

Rex Pedersen
2/19/2007 5:33:10 PM

Rex....haven't you learned anything...USE THE CRAYONS I GAVE YOU

Martin Rabeno
2/19/2007 6:21:27 PM

Rex let another engraving secret out...the engraving eraser. When you get some let me know I'll but at least 2.

Kevin Monahan
2/19/2007 6:24:06 PM

I was fortunate to get my hands on one of Rex's prototype engraving erasers. I believe it's about 320 grit. It works great.

Robert Bissell
2/19/2007 7:37:48 PM