best tool to scribe lines onto welding table top?

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I recently laid a 1x1" square grid on a welding table using a box cutter knife. I sprayed the table first wtih a very light coating of black paint and the silver scribes showed up contrasted nicely with the black top. Got out a mag drill and put a few hundreds holes in it. However a few weeks later and the scribed lines are so faith they are almost non exsistant.I noticed mcmaster has some scribed toolshttp://www.mcmaster.com/#layout-scribers/=usj7z2which is best for scribing a layout grid onto a table?is it worth it to get the electric scribes ( I assume they vibrate, never used one)thanks for suggestions.
Reply:Don' think you will like the vibrating engraver. I like the carbide tip scribes and dykem felt tip , you could make a tool using a V shaped carbide cutter to  pull and make a nice groove Attached ImagesLast edited by sparkness; 11-28-2014 at 12:08 PM.mig,tig,oxy,plasma,lathe,mill,bender,vise,grinder
Reply:Yes to the carbide tip scribes. I have one with a fixed point and others with a replaceable carbide tip. I need to check tip tightness on the screw in replaceable one before using. Great for marking steel for a fine cut line.
Reply:For steel I am welding I like red primer.
Reply:Better finish red primer spray paint.
Reply:X2 on the Carbide scribe and machinist blue.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Dykem blue is awesome. They make it in red as well. I buy it in the spray can.I love the smell too. Reminded me of middle school metal shop.
Reply:a scribe made from an old wood circular saw carbide tip works real goodMM 180
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderI recently laid a 1x1" square grid on a welding table using a box cutter knife. I sprayed the table first wtih a very light coating of black paint and the silver scribes showed up contrasted nicely with the black top. Got out a mag drill and put a few hundreds holes in it. However a few weeks later and the scribed lines are so faith they are almost non exsistant.I noticed mcmaster has some scribed toolshttp://www.mcmaster.com/#layout-scribers/=usj7z2which is best for scribing a layout grid onto a table?is it worth it to get the electric scribes ( I assume they vibrate, never used one)thanks for suggestions.
Reply:If you want to lay out permanent lines in a grid form, a carbide scripe does a decent job.  I spent hours doing it to one of my tables, thinking it would help to lay out quick projects.  I don't use them nearly as much as I thought.  Instead, I use a sheetrock square, or a folding 3-4-5 triangle and lay projects out projects with a blue sharpie. I just leave the edges clean and square and use it like a drafting table.
Reply:Starrett offers a diamond tipped scribe that might cut deeper lines that last a little longer...It's a manual type "scratching" style.I guess a guy could adapt a small diameter hi-speed narrow diamond wheel like found on a Tungsten sharpener to a Dremmel powered rig designed to follow a track or straight edge....It sounds like you need lines that are rather deep and very narrow so they will hold up to abrasion and be very precise.