My journeyman swore by using a pencil instead of a marker for conduit bends

He said the graphite wipes off clean and doesn't stain the pipe like a Sharpie. I argued with him for months until I messed up a bend on a $200 stick of 4-inch and had to explain the mark to the inspector. Anyone still using the old pencil trick, or is that just a memory now?

3 comments

3 Comments

shane_bell23d ago

Oh man, your journeyman was totally right. I still use a carpenter's pencil for all my layout marks, it wipes right off with your thumb. Sharpie stains are forever, especially on that expensive coated stuff.

phoenix_martin4023d ago

My buddy learned that the hard way on a stainless job, right after he read @shane_bell's post.

kevinking23d ago

Honestly, I have to disagree. A pencil line can get smudged way too easily from your hand or sleeve before you even get the bender on it. I need a mark that stays put until I'm done. I just use a fine point Sharpie and a quick wipe with alcohol takes it right off the coated stuff. The pencil trick always felt like an extra step for me.