soapstone alternatives?

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If I strike a single soapstone line on a piece of steel (to practice stingers, for example), chances are that the line goes pretty close to invisible by the time the helmet comes down.  I have to bear down and go over the line a couple of times to be able to see it clearly while welding, and the more times you go over a line the fatter it becomes.  This is not a problem on the scale of international nuclear disarmament, but I would be interested in knowing if there is an alternative to soapstone that might be more visible for marking welding lines.       -Marty-
Reply:try a silver sharpietackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Put an .045 cutting disc on your grinder and cut a line in the plate cant miss it.
Reply:Silver Streak Mechanical Welders Pencil,,,,, I'll never go back to regular soapstone for layout-MMJMiller PRO 300 CC/CV MitsubishiMiller Big Blue 502D CC/CV DeutzMiller XMT300Miller Suitcase 12RC  Lincoln Invertec V310 ACLincoln  Power Mig 250Lots and Lots of Dual Shield
Reply:If you have good eyes and maybe a bright light at work area ;  I use a carbide tip scriber. Depends on steel, some marks show up better then others .
Reply:Get better light in your work area.
Reply:There are times such as overlay when you want nice lines for appearance sake.  Usually draw a parallel line 1/4" to 3/8" alongside.
Reply:Just got a couple of the Markal silver streak pencils.  They make a nice mark on hot roll steel.  Have not actually looked at the mark through a helmet yet.  These were recommended in other forums.
Reply:I like the soapstone for most steel applications, but shiny metal or wet metal it leaves something to be desired.  I really like the silver streak or silver markal pencils.  silver art pencils are a lot cheaper and work just like the markal.  I also have a scribe and punch if I am having to be very accurate.
Reply:draw your straight line with soapstone then center punch every quarter inch or so. if you can't follow that it's time to get into another line of work.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:When I want to stop for sure at a certain place, I put a little bar of aluminum near my stopping point. I can always see it, spatter doesn't stick to it, and I know right where to stop.metalmagpie
Reply:Originally Posted by brucertry a silver sharpie
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcYou beat me to it!!! +1000!!!!!I pretty much use a silver sharpie on every single welding project.  It just stands out like a neon light when marked on a piece of steel.   Now, if I'm welding some 6010's on galvanized steel and I don't feel like grinding that silver coating off, I'll use a black sharpie.  That's the only exception.  My problem is, I have to hide the silver sharpies from my kids!  They keep stealing them from my work bench for school projects.  A silver colored sharpie in my house is worth more than an ounce of gold!!!!Silver sharpies kick a$$
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott YoungI like the soapstone for most steel applications, but shiny metal or wet metal it leaves something to be desired.  I really like the silver streak or silver markal pencils.  silver art pencils are a lot cheaper and work just like the markal.  I also have a scribe and punch if I am having to be very accurate.
Reply:Good suggestions - thanks.  I'll give the silver sharpie a try, but docwelder's periodic punching idea had high and immediate appeal.  Don't know why I didn't think of it for welding, since in doing blacksmithing work marking with a punched dimple is an everyday effective method.       -Marty-
Reply:Originally Posted by Marty FeldmanGood suggestions - thanks.  I'll give the silver sharpie a try, but docwelder's periodic punching idea had high and immediate appeal.  Don't know why I didn't think of it for welding, since in doing blacksmithing work marking with a punched dimple is an everyday effective method.       -Marty-
Reply:Originally Posted by docweldercenter punching a line for better visibility is a very old trick that seems to have gone the way of welding spats. i saw it in one of those war board production books from w.w.2 used for training defense workers
Reply:Silver-Streak® & Red-Riter® Welders Pencils, here's their site. http://www.markal.com/silver-streak-...lders-pencils/