VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Main > RV General Discussion/News
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-23-2020, 05:33 AM
Saville's Avatar
Saville Saville is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: KBVY Massachusetts
Posts: 1,100
Default Rookie Sheet Metal Working Question: marking pen(cil)

I'm making the mounting plate for my Andair Left - Right - Off valve.

What, in your opinion, is the best marking tool to draw on the aluminum? I'm using a fine marker but I cant get it close to the edge of an overlapping plate or component.

Seems to me you want something that can get into a corner, and make a line thick enough to be useful but not too thick.

What do the experts suggest?

Thanks!
__________________
Flying RV-8 N880BC
2019 Dues - happily paid.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-23-2020, 05:46 AM
gmcjetpilot's Avatar
gmcjetpilot gmcjetpilot is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,285
Default

Pencil of course is hard graphite and scratches and graphite corrodes aluminum so not the best choice.

Fine felt tip is best for me. Have one pen you use sparingly only for fine work so it stays like new fine. I suspect you are down to micrometer level tolerances 0.001, which might be over kill. Cut on one side of the "fat" line leaving the line or removing it (decide what you are aiming for). If you are really getting into high tolerance you can score the metal with a scribe which is a very fine line. Another time honored method is cut "fat" and file down to your desired cut line as you take measurements.
__________________
George
Raleigh, NC Area
RV-4, RV-7, ATP, CFII, MEI, 737/757/767

2020 Dues Paid

Last edited by gmcjetpilot : 03-23-2020 at 03:19 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-23-2020, 05:49 AM
Vern's Avatar
Vern Vern is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Peachtree City, Ga
Posts: 1,040
Default Aluminum marker

My favorite is a fine line blue marker
__________________
Vern Darley
Awarded FAA "The Wright Brothers 'Master Pilot' Award"- for 50 years safe flying

RV-6A N680V / RV-10QB N353RV
Luscombe 8E N2423K 50+years
Hatz Biplane N2423Z soon to be birthed
Falcon RV Squadron Founder
KFFC Hanger D-30
Peachtree City, Ga
770 310-7169
EAA Technical Counselor #5142
EAA Flight Advisor #486336
ATP/CFI/A&P/DAR
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-23-2020, 05:49 AM
Saville's Avatar
Saville Saville is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: KBVY Massachusetts
Posts: 1,100
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot View Post
Pencil of course is hard graphite and scratches and graphite corrodes aluminum so not the best choice.

Fine felt tip is best for me. Have one pen you use sparingly only for fine work. I suspect you are getting down to micrometer level tolerances 0.001, which might be over kill. Cut on one side of the "fat" line leaving the line or removing it.
Good advice on the pencil. Though I was thinking about those Crayola color pencils which seem to use a waxy kind of "lead". Don't know if that would scratch.

I always cut into the waste and trim back to the line. But the problem (for me) is JUUUUST eliminating the line and not going further.
__________________
Flying RV-8 N880BC
2019 Dues - happily paid.

Last edited by Saville : 03-23-2020 at 05:51 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-23-2020, 06:06 AM
WingsOnWheels WingsOnWheels is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 2,090
Default

Ultra-fine point sharpies are the gold standard. If you are going to cut it, then you can use a scribe.
__________________
Colin P.
RV-6A #20603
Complete 5/10/19
PP SEL / A&P
I donate every year on my B-Day (in Dec), but donated early in Sep'19.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-23-2020, 06:16 AM
Saville's Avatar
Saville Saville is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: KBVY Massachusetts
Posts: 1,100
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by WingsOnWheels View Post
Ultra-fine point sharpies are the gold standard. If you are going to cut it, then you can use a scribe.
Ah yes I can see how that would work much better than what I have.

Thanks!
__________________
Flying RV-8 N880BC
2019 Dues - happily paid.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-23-2020, 08:28 AM
rapid_ascent rapid_ascent is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 1,261
Default

I bought a box of the fine line blue markers on Amazon. I can still never find one when I need one.

I tried red and black, but the blue for me is the best choice. It?s the most visible.
__________________
Ray Tonks
2020 Donation Paid
Titan IOX-370, Dual PMAGs, 9.6:1 Pistons, FM-150
RV-7 Fuselage in progress
* Cabin Interior - In progress
RV-7 SB Wings
* Both Wings fully skinned
* Fuel Tanks Complete - No leaks finally
* Ailerons Complete
* Flaps Complete
RV-7 Empennage - Complete (a little fiberglass work left)
Vans Training Kit # 2 - Complete
RV-7 Preview Plans
Vans Training Kit #1 - Complete
EAA Sheet Metal Class - Complete
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-23-2020, 08:47 AM
jacoby jacoby is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: WNC
Posts: 246
Default

Blue ultra-fine sharpies will get you to within 0.050". If you need to go more accurate than that, use a regular blue sharpie (or Dykem blue), paint the surface and use a scribe to lightly remove the blue. That'll get you to within 0.001".
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-23-2020, 11:56 AM
ZachMiller ZachMiller is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 44
Default

It's already been said, but to reiterate, graphite pencils are a big no-no on aluminum. I'm my past life doing repair design on heavies, there were a few instances with text, writing, and drawings perfectly corroded into panels. Fine point sharpies were the utensil of choice with the professionals as well.

Another big benefit for me is that it bleeds through AKZO primer. Makes part numbering easy.
__________________
Zach Miller
RV-7 Empennage Complete, Wings Underway
Donation made 2020
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-23-2020, 01:11 PM
Saville's Avatar
Saville Saville is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: KBVY Massachusetts
Posts: 1,100
Default

I ordered a couple of Blue Ultra-Fine sharpies from Amazon. Will be here Thursday.

Thanks everyone for their suggestions.
__________________
Flying RV-8 N880BC
2019 Dues - happily paid.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:04 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.