Scratch Awl for concrete
I am not sure which forum to place this. I have to make about 100 crosses in the sidewalk. Rather than using a marking pen, then returning with my cutting blade, I’d like to make some decent scratch crosses that will stay in case of rain. I’d like to buy a good one (or two) does anyone know of a good brand ? I will avoid Harbor Freight
Thank you
“Good”
- 25 Replies
The tool you want is called a tile scoring knife. They keep making the plastic handle bigger every decade. you should be able to find one in any good hardware store. online for sure.
-my first forum post from an airplane
I carry one of these in my vest for that purpose. It also makes a decent digging tool, as long as you don’t subject the blade to lot of side pressure.
https://www.amazon.com/Marshalltown-SC68-Carbide-Scoring-Cutter/dp/B001RJ4WPW
Thank you I’ll head to Home Depot now
@jim-frame Thank you Jim, I’ll head out to find one now
I use one of these, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t want to do 100 of them by hand.
https://www.capitalsurveyingsupplies.com/giant-scribe/
I’d break out an angle grinder for your job.
A concrete saw blade and a few batteries on portable battery operated skill saw will work well. Do a couple practice runs and off to the races. I use to collect the used blades and keep them in my truck and not even use the saw itself. But 100 as you have I would have one of those battery operated small skill saws and those concrete blades and fly through it good luck.
I have used one of the scribs @BStrand suggested for decades. They are great for something that does not have to be around for long. Depending on traffic, hand scribes are hard to come back to in a couple of months. For long term secondary control I’ve gone to a cordless rotary tool and cut-off blade. Quick and lasting.
A carbide tip metal scriber will give you a very fine mark if used alongside a straight edge.
A carbide tip metal scriber will give you a very fine mark if used alongside a straight edge.
Yeah I throw a lath down, step or kneel on it and scratch along that.
Hatchet and plumb bob. Set the tip of the bob about 0.006 away from the middle of the x. Angle the bob about 20 degrees off plumb. Slide the hatchet on the side of the bob, neatly cutting a line. Rotate 90 degrees, repeat. Lightly paint. Use black marker. To clarify the x. Lightly spray again. It works good. If you need a little hole in the middle, use a pk nail, and add more paint. Leaving a puddle in the hole.
It works.
N
Slide the hatchet on the side of the bob, neatly cutting a line.
You left out the step of spending a long time sharpening the hatchet because you took off all of the edge.
.cordless angle grinder. 4″ concrete wheel. The old scribes are still in my truck. they’re inanimate, they don’t get lonely.
I don’t use it often but, when that ‘x’ is cut, there is no head-scratching or cussing about its location.
of course, I’m also hoping ridgid begins to offer a cordless chainsaw.
cordless angle grinder. 4″ concrete wheel.
cordless hammer drill and mag nails.
Either some of you guys are missing the point, or I am. I think the OP wants to leave a temporary mark that will withstand dirt and rain for a few days until he can get back with his power tool of choice to install a permanent monument. That’s what I do, anyway.
I’ve used a straight carbide scribe in the past, and I still carry one in my vest, but I’ve found the tile scorer to be more effective.
You left out the step of spending a long time sharpening the hatchet because you took off all of the edge.
Naw, we never sharpen that hatched. Attrition says we will loose one about every 1-3 yrs. So, it’s fast, and it works good. We loose them before we need to sharpen.
N
@jim-frame I believe you are correct. He is wanting to come back later But with high gas prices I would be doing it all as I go. I just bought diesel for my tractor today. And was contemplating the whole time how much it was costing me every hour it was running . Arghhhhhh.
A rail road spike will work as a chisel as well. It is a art but I have made some nice crows feet on back of curb with one.
Ya just can’t beat a Dremel! Long battery life, charges quickly when it dies. Has multiple tools for multiple applications. Reasonably priced.
Ya just can’t beat a Dremel!
While a Dremel is certainly useful — I use a corded model in my shop — it’s not the kind of thing you want to carry in your vest every day. A Dremel is more appropriate as the tool the OP might use when he comes back through to permanently mark the temporary points he’s set.
@jim-frame For me: you are correct, I did miss the point. Still, 100 temporary scratches is enough to make my hand hurt, just thinking about it.
I’d go with a paint pen, or my favorite marking pen. Should last long enough.
I normally use sharpie for the temporary and then get the angle grinder. If it will be a little while in between, I’ll put a shot of orange marking paint, then sharpie ‘x’ in that. So it stands out better.
for a little longevity I use clear coat too.
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