sharpening carpenters pencils

[LCHIEN]

So, Tom's poll on marking tools brought this question to mind:
How do you sharpen your carpenters pencils? The flat kind (I guess so that they don't roll)

I have used three methods
1. the sharpening tools for the purpose - leaves a blunt lead shaped tip - ugh
2. using a pocket knife - too much wood, too much work
3. I just grind a bevel in the belt sander from both sides of the flat abbout 15 degerees. This leaves a thin x wide point on the tip about 30 degrees and its great for marking against the rule (no gap) with a slight lean of 15 degrees from vertical and flat side to the rule and it stays sharp longer because of the wide dimension.

Number 3 seems to be the best for me. Pointy in one dimension and fast to do.

[cabinetman]

I don't use flat carpenters pencils, I think they are for rough carpenters. Lead is too thick, can't make a fine line, and there's no eraser (I like erasers). And, they don't stay behind the ear too well. They float pretty good though.
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[Uncle Cracker]

I think they are for rough carpenters.

ROFL! As opposed to... sensitive cabinet-builders, right??

[Mr__Bill]

Personally I think the Veritas Skew Rabbet Plane is the ideal tool to sharpen carpenter's pencils. Something most rough carpenters carry in their tool belts.

[cabinetman]

ROFL! As opposed to... sensitive cabinet-builders, right??

Parts of me are very sensitive. Other parts have no sense at all.
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[dkerfoot]

I bought a few plastic carpenter pencils that have disposable lead at Lowes. Basically, when the one you are using gets worn, you pull it off the top, push it in the bottom and the next one pops up, ready to go.

The lead in the inserts is thinner than on a typical carpenter pencil and makes a pretty nice line. If I am going for a very tight tolerance, I use an Xacto knife.

[Uncle Cracker]

Parts of me are very sensitive. Other parts have no sense at all.

A dangerous combination, to be sure...

[Pappy]

I have one of the plastic sharpeners that I use, since perfect accuracy isn't a requirement when I am using these pencils.

[docrowan]

I like them for rough carpentry - the flat side fits well between my temple and ball cap. I usually sharpen them with my pocket knife. I played with one of those home depot sharpeners, but it left it too sharp and prone to breaking. I don't like using them for fine work, I prefer a regular hex pencil and I have several plastic sharpeners for those in my shop. If I want a really fine line, I'll use a utility knife to mark the wood.

[pelligrini]

I've got one of those plastic sharpeners, it's not very effective. I end up breaking off more lead points than I get sharpened points. I'll get a better point with a knife. I really only use them for framing, or when I can't find my other 5 pencils.

[Tom Slick]

I have a mechanical carpenter's pencil with a sharpener built into it. It's actually a koh-i-noor artist's leadholder for 5.6mm lead but they market them as carpenter's pencils. works great and it is expensive enough you pay attention not to loose it.

[LinuxRandal]

Block plane. I had never understood why the pencils were like that, until I started using/learing hand planes.

[poolhound]

I have one of the plastic sharpeners that I use, since perfect accuracy isn't a requirement when I am using these pencils.

Pappy, I'm with you on this one. I have a bunch of these and I use them mostly for rough marking. I use a mechanical pencil or occasionally a amrking knif for fine work. For rougher needs I always have a few sticks of chalk lying around.

I find the chalk is very useful as its easier to see and usually doesnt mark the wood like a pencil can. I use it primarily for marking grain directions, marking a board before jointing or planing so I can see when its flat, orientation marks e.g. Triangles, T,B,L,R,I,O etc...

[khf314]

Pencil Sharpener

Found this little doodad at my local hardware store:

http://www.keson.com/products/markers/marker_06.htm

Works very well, puts a nice sharp chisel point on the pencil.

If it's critical, I use a utility knife.

[pelligrini]

That looks cool. How does it work?

I like that type of point, it seems a lot stronger.