DIY: Carbide Line Scriber

Like many of my fellow instruct-a-nauts I up-cycle/re-cycle as much as I can. Many of the parts in this instructable have been repurposed. Primarily I built this scribe to get a center line on the knives I build, but this can be used for many other things. During the design process I had thought a squared slide arm would be best. After scrounging my parts and supplies I found this 3/8" aluminum tube that was threaded and had its own screw. perfect match! and it is much easier to drill a circular hole than a square one.

I hope you find this useful and as always feel free to ask any question and please vote and rate as you see fit, thank you!!

MATERIALS
1 1/2" x 1/4" aluminum bar stock
3/8" aluminum tubing (I got this from a broken DVD rack, one side is already drilled and tapped with its own screw included)
scribe refill
3/8" rubber nipple
assorted screws

TOOLS
hacksaw
belt sander
drill press
center punch
vice
drill bits
tap and die set
polish
sand paper
square

1. Grab your aluminum bar stock ( you could use steel as well) and cut off a 2" to 3" section.
2. With a sharpie and square mark your center. Also mark the center at the top of the bar stock.
3. Using a center punch make a pilot hole.

1. Drill your first 3/8" hole in the bar stock where you marked. a clamp might be needed.
2. On the top of the bar stock drill your 7/32" hole for the set screw. make sure it is centered.
3. 7/64" drill bit is used for the 3/8" aluminum tube. you want to set the hole about 1/4" from the edge. Depending on the scribe you find this hole might need to be a different size.

OK! this was the first time i have tapped any thing, I am not an expert on this subject. Infact, I broke a tap and had to shorten the bar stock, live and learn.

1. Get cutting lube and the tap.
2. Tap it! be sure to back out every half turn or so and do no apply too much pressure!

1. Square your edges using a belt sander
2. sand and polish the front of your bar stock.

1. Grab that bar stock and insert the aluminum tube through the hole.
2. Add the set screw.
3. Insert the carbide tip and set screw.
4. Put the rubber nipple in the back of the tubing.

Your'e done! This is a tool that will serve you for many years and it costs almost nothing. These things run $25-$40.

If you have and questions or comments please leave them at the bottom.
Thanks for looking.

I added some measurements to the side of the arm of the scribe, It ain't pretty but it works!