Lets see you "SCRATCH AWL"?!

[Mr. Tool]

Lets see your "SCRATCH AWL"?!

There are/have been threads for ratchet's, wrench set's, screwdriver's, etc. so lets start one for "SCRATCH AWLS".

I'll start off with the three that I currently have. Two from ELORA and one from Craftsman.

For the Elora's each has a different style pointed end along with a slightly different discoloration of the acetate handle (red'ish and orange'ish) but still both very effective tools!

The third is a small Craftsman scratch awl that I happen to come across and saved. I recall when I first happened upon it. Poor tool was all alone and neglected, nobody wanted to use it because of it's "deformity" which to me really means nothing. So I decided that I would keep it. Works as it should, no problems.

Don't be shy now, post'em n show'em!

 

[Bockscar]

The ones that I can find

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[alinc100]

Here's one I made a few years back starting with a kit from Rockler.

 

[Mr. Tool]

The ones that I can find

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Those are some classic's you have there.

Some kinda even look like ice picks.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Now that handle looks really cool!

Nice job on the custom handle, nice touch!

Here's one I made a few years back starting with a kit from Rockler.

 

[Bockscar]

Those are some classic's you have there. [emoji106]

Some kinda even look like ice picks. [emoji38]_hitti

Probably.....but they can still scratch and awl

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. Tool]

Hey I totally agree!

Probably.....but they can still scratch and awl

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[davethorik]

Here is one of my favorite poking & probing tools...the Klein 650DD demo scratch awl. Made in USA. I found it useful for dislodging scrap from jamb undercutting with an omt...sometimes you need a love tap from your nearest bashing device...

It's hefty and has a full sized grip, and I like Klein's in particular. Shank is symmetrical and nicely chromed. I found this offering of theirs semi-unique IIRC it was $18.

One gripe with Klein demos (all whopping 4 of them) is lack of bolster and round shank, however on an awl with strike cap and big grip, you don't need it.

I give it a 5 of 5 rating.

 

[davethorik]

The only other scratch awl I own, no pix atm, is a Mayhew no. 465 smaller scratch awl, transparent acetate stubby handle. I bought @ TSC for something like $6 or $7. Usa on packaging, not tool. Handle says No 465 and BALTIMORE. I guess Baltimore Tool was a small co that Mayhew acquired in the 90s EDIT: 2009 and basically same as original, but Mayhew packaging.

Here on HDs site
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mayhew-1-4-in-Scratch-Awl-5-1-2-in-Blade-6-1-4-in-OAL-46502/100202220

 

[larry_g]

Can someone explain the use of a scratch awl and how it is different that a scribe (for metal) or an ice pick? Is an awl a tool for the wood and leather workers mainly?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Bockscar]

Can someone explain the use of a scratch awl and how it is different that a scribe (for metal) or an ice pick? Is an awl a tool for the wood and leather workers mainly?

lg
no neat sig line

I have used them to mark holes in wood through a bracket to drill

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[davethorik]

Can someone explain the use of a scratch awl and how it is different that a scribe (for metal) or an ice pick? Is an awl a tool for the wood and leather workers mainly?

lg
no neat sig line

I didn't think of that til just now Larry, I have a heavy duty sewing awl. It's for poking holes in tougher materials. So an awl is a poker. I don't use them to scribe lines...i have a pencil shaped carbide scribe, and a couple misc boring tool bits I use for that, and a couple of center point Johannson/Ford lapped blocks as well. My planer gage came with two scribers, straight and offset.

Of course, I have an aluminum handle double end Craftsman scriber, made by Ullman Devices. I don't use it as a scribe. I use it like a surgical tool for shop use, for any time use. Definitely my go-to...at Sears, the Cman was like $5ish IIRC. A local industrial supplier has a hanging wall display card for Ullman brand, for $1.

 

[dr_clyde]

It's amazing how nice we humans can make something that's only true purpose is to poke stuff.

I personally don't own a scratch awl. My dad has a few nice Stanley ones that I'll inherit someday.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Here are mine, minus the Klein awl in my voice/data bag. One of the thin Malco I found in a drop ceiling...and by find, I mean it dropped out of the ceiling onto the floor.

 

[davethorik]

Here are mine, minus the Klein awl in my voice/data bag. One of the thin Malco I found in a drop ceiling...and by find, I mean it dropped out of the ceiling onto the floor.

Lucky, every time I pull a ceiling tile from a drop ceiling, I only have used needles fall out

 

[AA/FC]

I own two scratch awls, both Malco A-1. These are old, probably from the 70's or 80's, and both well used.

 

[tanukiboy]

Here is a Sunflag scratch awl that I posted about in the "Tools of Japan" thread yesterday. Nice sharp point, full tang to a striker cap, comfortable in the hand, pretty green color, made in Japan.

View media item 83380
They also make a nice round one in red.

View media item 83382

 

[bczygan]

I have a bunch. Have to dig them out.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

When he was a child, Louis Braille gouged his eye with an awl by accident. One eye was destroyed instantly, and a subsequent infection later claimed the other eye, making him blind by the time he was four. The accident spurred Braille to the invention of the Braille alphabet.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

No pic currently, mine's a civic intake valve, with the retainer ring ground to a point. Cheap and marks basically any surface.

 

[intillzah]

Here are my 2, and the ironic thing: I use the smaller one a lot more than the Snap On......

 

[geojag]

I have two, both Ryan made in USA. They are full tang with a striking plate.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[tube_guy]

Can someone explain the use of a scratch awl and how it is different that a scribe (for metal) or an ice pick? Is an awl a tool for the wood and leather workers mainly?

lg
no neat sig line

Awls are also frequently used during the assembly of components to align screw holes. For example, if you're installing a sheet metal cover panel that's secured with a bunch of screws, inevitably at least the last few screw holes will fail to align properly. If you push an awl into the holes, the shape of the awl tends to align the holes. If the alignment is real bad, the awl can also be used to lever the holes into alignment.

 

[larry4406]

Our Ace metal man Robert uses an ice pick.

 

[bonneyman]

I own two scratch awls, both Malco A-1. These are old, probably from the 70's or 80's, and both well used.

I've got a Malco scratch awl around here somewhere. Pukey orange handle - polycarbonate - is virtually indestructible.

 

[southalabama]

I think the difference between an ice pick and an awl is the labeling.

And while we are at it I hate those new blunt ice picks.

 

[tube_guy]

Awls can also be used to punch holes in ductwork. I frequently use them to punch test holes in flue pipes on boilers and furnaces, for example. I would guess that is the specific purpose of the Malco awls pictured above.

 

[davethorik]

Can someone explain the use of a scratch awl and how it is different that a scribe (for metal) or an ice pick? Is an awl a tool for the wood and leather workers mainly?

lg
no neat sig line

I didn't think of that til just now Larry, I have a heavy duty sewing awl. It's for poking holes in tougher materials. So an awl is a poking device. I don't use them to scribe lines...i have a pencil shaped carbide scribe, and a couple misc boring tool bits I use for that.

Recently used a Starrett no. 254 master vernier height gage with carbide scriber to etch centerline on some cylindrical parts laid in a v-block at work. The purpose was using scribed line to clock part on a mill fixture, using pointer in keyless chuck, to drill thru holes with 1/2 depth drilled either side.

Of course, I have an aluminum handle double end Craftsman scriber, made by Ullman Devices. I don't use it as a scribe. I use it like a surgical tool for shop use, for any time use. Definitely my go-to...at Sears, the Cman was like $5ish IIRC. A local industrial supplier has a hanging wall display card for Ullman brand, for $1 and some change.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Adding to the collection, this arrived in this mornings mail.

An Ebay purchase, $9.99+free shipping, not bad for the price, not only made in the USA but what really drew me to purchase this particular scratch awl was the price, the handle style and the acetate handle with its combination colors.

Will definitely test it out soon.

 

[metaldad]

i AM going to add to this thread.

 

[AA/FC]

Awls can also be used to punch holes in ductwork. I frequently use them to punch test holes in flue pipes on boilers and furnaces, for example. I would guess that is the specific purpose of the Malco awls pictured above.

That would probably be the most common use for HVAC guys working in the field. However, for the tinners working in the fab shop making air duct fittings from scratch, the awl is mostly used for marking fine layout lines on galvanized sheet metal. Most fittings are spit out of a CNC plasma cutter nowadays, but real tinners still know how to layout and fabricate by hand, from scratch.

.

 

[metaldad]

gathered most. there's still some, somewhere, crypt, truck, work site. do the 'bent ones' (cotter pin removers) count?

 

[bonneyman]

gathered most. there's still some, somewhere, crypt, truck, work site. do the 'bent ones' (cotter pin removers) count?

Nice collection!

I didn't know Channelock made awls. Really like that blue color!

Many times, I've taken worn out or broken tipped phillips screwdrivers and ground them down into awls. I don't think the steel in drivers is as tough as scratch awl steel, but, what the heck - I always have source material!

 

[Mr. Tool]

Way to go!

Nice collection!

I didn't know Channelock made awls. Really like that blue color!

Many times, I've taken worn out or broken tipped phillips screwdrivers and ground them down into awls. I don't think the steel in drivers is as tough as scratch awl steel, but, what the heck - I always have source material!

 

[bonneyman]

Was digging thru the tinners box for snip pics, gathered my awls together for a group photo. (Not included are those awls I ground down from worn screwdrivers).

 

[McFarmer]

I use the Lisle automatic for nearly all my center punching, the others for scratching a line.

The Wilde if I need to get rough.

 

[Mr. Tool]

OK, here is a set of mini scratch awls from a tool set by PB Swiss tools (PB 7681 Four Pick Tool Set) that I forgot that I had.

I happen to come across the set, that was stashed away in a drawer, in my work bench in the garage.

This is a cool set to have