Pencil sharpener? Pencil sharpener? Don' need no steenkin' pencil sharpener.

Gave up on pencils years ago. Now all my marking is with those plastic Pentel clone mechanical pencils. Push the eraser, lead comes out the other end. Run out of lead, pull the remnant out, shake the pencil gently, push the eraser, another comes down - there are 2 or 3 leads inside. You can also buy refill leads. You can get about a dozen for around $2. Some people claim they wear out quickly, but I've never had one wear out yet, do tend to lose one once in awhile.

However, if you really insist on sharpening pencils, this is the pencil sharpener you want.

 

Don I use one like above without the motor. I use the LV pencils mostly buy by the1/2 dozen boxes when I place an order. Also use the same sharpener to sharpen dowels. I think I got a tapered reamer from LV that has the same taper as a standard pencil, and drill the hole with that then sharpen a dowel and put some glue on it and tap it in the hole.

Herb

 

I like this sharpener combo. FastCap PSSR-25 Tape Measure, Pro Carpenter PSS-R-25, 25ft, Standard/Reverse Read, 1 Wide Blade, Right and left reading. Sharpender built in. FastCap PSSR25 25 foot Lefty/Righty Measuring Tape - Left Handed Tape Measure - Amazon.com I also have an electric sharpener and the sharpener on the tape measure is faster.

 

For finish work, I use the .05 lead mechanical pencil...for regular carpentry/drywall I use a wooden carpenter's pencil, and this style of sharpener...
Kapro Carpenter Pencil Sharpener-275-08 - The Home Depot
HD and Irwin are a couple of brands. No idea what mine is; I've had it for donkey's years. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'.

 

I use a Stanley Utility knife


to sharpen a carpenters pencil

 

can't remember the last I used one of those but did the the same as you..

 

I use a mechanical pencil, a marking knife or a little short awl I made. Last wooden pencils I bought were not much good and then I asked myself "why the hell am I messing with these things?" I have a few around but since it's been mentioned I think I'll just pitch them tomorrow.

 

Panasonic for an electric...
Bostik for manual...
but why even bother....
go mechanical...

 

I don't like mechanical.
Herb

 

Carpenter pencil, utility knife (or my little pocket knife)...mostly.

Home Depot used to sell a sharpener like Dan linked you to but it had a curved blade...did a great job on the carpenter pencils...can't find them anymore...that was my favorite. Here's a version of it... http://www.penimpressions.com/carpenter-pencil-sharpener.html

I also use the business end of an old awl that fell apart when marking up outside lumber or other unimportant work. And from time to time I use a nail, screw, utility knife, linoleum knife - you get the idea.

For important stuff, a .05mm mechanical is my choice of weapon...even though I break the lead every once in a while.

 

Found a small plastic hand sharpener that works great. When I use a pencil, I've taken to the ones you buy by the dozen, painted orange at Home depot. They are dark leaded and come to a fine point. I sharpen them often. For fine work, I use a marking knife, with kind of an arrowhead point to it. My wife has a fantastic ac powered sharpener for her art pencils, which requires I hustle into the house to use. The little sharpener that works best came with a package of oversized childrens pencils, which are about half an inch in diameter and are very readable with old eyes. I have tried mechanical pencils but find I break the lead constantly, which irritates me. My little sharpener is tied to a loop of twist tie with a small clip on it so I can hang it up in plane sight after use.

 

That is the reason I don't like the .005" Mech pencil, the leads are always breaking. I had a dandy little hand sharpener awhile back but can't find it now. I must have bought a dozen at the school supply dept. of the super market and none held up. still looking for one I can carry in my apron.
Carpenter pencils are too large for in the shop, Have a good supply of those.

Herb

 

Only use .5mm mechanical pencils for woodworking nowadays. When I did use wooden pencils I used a sharpener from LV and it works well and as Herb I think stated I also have the tapered reamer that matches the taper on the sharpener.

For a carpenter's pencil I use the plastic retractable one that LV sells, also available in many other places. It also never needs sharpening.

 

6" wheel on a bench grinder. rotate the pencil at the angle you want. pin point sharp.

 

Like sunnybob The bench grinder or a sheet of abrasive for good sharp points whatever shape is your preference

 

Thanks Tom & Herb--i thought i was the only one that couldn't get along with a mechanical pencil. I've tried. One of the guys in my office has an old electric sharpener that he inherited from his brother--i think it's a Denison, probably from the 1970's and works great. When i start to run low at home, i take a dozen or so in and sharpen them on his. I've threatened to kidnap it, but can't bring myself to do so. I've got about 5 years to figure it out, in the meantime i'll keep doing what i do!!

earl

 

can't beat these...

Pentel

 

+111 on the Pentel units. Had very good luck with these. I do all my fine drawing with one.

I DO use a mechanical sharpener in the shop, think it's a bostic. Handed down from Dad when he had his shop. I also have a pencil at each machine, which only becomes a problem when I forget to put said pencil back!! :wub: I use this item to hold the pencil. Pencil Holder

And I also have an electric sharpener in the house, but it doesn't get much use any more.

 

I agree, Stick. You have to develop a bit of a touch not to break the leads all the time and even so it will still happen occasionally. Nice clean consistent lines.

 

Pencil sharpener??

Hell, most of the time, I can't remember where I laid the pencil down let alone sharpen it *L*

 

That's why you buy them by the pack and leave one everywhere you might use one. For example I always keep one on the fence on my saw. For those that have trouble with the .5mm pencil try the .7mm one instead. Much tougher lead and only slightly coarser than the .5 one and much better than a dull wooden one.

 

I like the 'feel' of an old fashion wood pencil..... This is what I use.....

 

I buy the fat pencils that a grade schooler would use as well as regular pencils for use on most things but when I'm working on a project needing procession measurements I use both the .5mm and .7mm lead mechanical pencils. The .5 are mostly used when I use the Incra rulers because .5 fits in the holes.

As far as the sharpeners, I keep a sharpener for flat pencils and small
two pencils sharpener in my tool bag. You can get them at Staples.

 

As Charles said, there's always the .7mm option...but keep in mind the office supply places keep both sizes in several different grades...F, 4H, HB etc.
I found this great link with tons of info on leads and pencils, for your Sunday morning enjoyment...
Picking the Perfect Pencil Hardness Grade - JetPens.com

 

belt sander / linisher for me. stanley knife sometimes - and even the jack plane at a push

 

I use a .07 mechanical pencil in the shop as the lead doesn't 't break as easily. If I'm outside using a flat carpenter's pencil I use a utility knife for a chisel point or a C. H. Hanson sharpener for a sharp point. If I'm a long way from a sharpener the side of a concrete block or driveway has been known to work.

Tom

 

https://www.sciplus.com/p/HELIX-PEN...SHARPENERS_58213&utm_campaign=Today's+New+Supermodel+Items+at+Superdad+Prices!+

I have been chided supplying AS&S link before but I can't help it I am an addict
Jnteresting pencil sharpener

 

A must read book: http://www.amazon.com/How-Sharpen-Pencils-Theoretical-Contractors/dp/1612193269 Warning: John Hodgman wrote the foreword

 

here ya go...
4:08 or so...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Oq...M#t=314.402687