Marking Out Cabochons

[xcvator]

What do you use to mark out a cabochon on really dark coloured stone? The only white markers I can find are actually paint and not ink. The paint takes forever to dry and smudges very easily
Cheers Keith

[Pete49]

I use aluminium wire. marks stone just nice.
Pete

[tinker]

Yep I use the same Aluminium Wire or pencil, for dark stones

[MakkyBrown]

Buy a meter of 1/4inch aluminum rod, cut a bit off and sharpen point only $2.40 at Bunnings.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/metal-mate-6-3mm-x-1m-aluminium-solid-rod_p1130541

[Ranger Itchy]

Most Club cabbing rooms I've been in over the last 45 years use a sharpened length of 3-5 mm Aluminium or Brass rod.


Both work well on most stones, just pick which works best for you according to the color of the stone you are marking!


Cheers Ranger Itchy

[Jimnyjerry]

Agree sharpened aluminium rod.  Can sharpen it on the diamond wheel.

[xcvator]

Thank you, off to Bunnings to get a bit of ali rod 

[Fullerton]

Have used the aluminium rod, black permanent marker and lead pencil.  All have worked fine.


Just don't use a permanent black marker on porous materials ... it soaks in and you have to grind off material to get rid of the ink.


I probably use a lead pencil 90% of the time.


Cheers,
Fullerton