Tool to mark through a hole with depth

[kblee27]

It's a bit difficult to describe.

But say I have a plastic part I want to hang up. I need to make holes in a wall.
So I need to mark or draw a hole on the wall before I can drill.
But the plastic part has a depth of say 1 cm, with a hole of 4mm.

The problem is I can't insert a pencil or marker through the hole, to draw the point where I want to drill on the wall. Bcuz the fat pencil/marker has a taper and the tip won't reach the end of the hole.

Anyone has a suggestion ? Thanks in advance.

 

[J.C.]

I use a small, narrow punch. Usually firmly pressing on the end will mark the wood/plaster/etc. and for really deep holes a scribe does the trick, like this one:

https://motofaction.org/tool-reviews/lisle-31800-double-ended-scribe-review/

If that’s too faint to see easily from all angles it’s not hard to mark over the dent with a marker.

 

[jimmyin3D]

I’m not too sure what you need but the Fastcap long nose markers have a very slim tip to reach into small holes and the like.

 

[tanukiboy]

Dip the end of a toothpick in some paint.

 

[88thunder]

Center hole punch set?

example:
https://www.harborfreight.com/28-piece-transfer-punch-set-3577.html?cid=paid_google|*PLA+-+All+Products+-+Lower+Sales+Items|New+Products+-+%282%29+Price+%2410-30|3577&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&mkwid=sybr7gXT1|pcrid|318476002941|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|slid||product|3577|&pgrid=63088204546&ptaid=pla-297108743161&pcid=1654049980&gclid=CjwKCAjw0ZfoBRB4EiwASUMdYQAwsu6Yk00MxGW6ytt9kjbrfxEOLDqHzm0r2axSkppf_CG1LOK1bxoCVLQQAvD_BwE

 

[cvairwerks]

As 88 shows, transfer punch.

 

[kblee27]

Thank you all for your suggestions and ideas.
I guess I was searching for a deep hole marker.

So I googled Fastcap, found Dixon, Marxman, long nose mechanical pencils, and some other great stuffs.
But they were a bit expensive for the occasional holes I want to mark and drill.

Toothpick and paint - brought me to a simple solution.
I'll try with a cheap nail polish next time. It has an "extended" plastic (thin enough) arm and brush, and paint to mark the surface.

 

[mc4life27]

Why not use a mechanical pencil and extend the lead out as long as you need. Have to use light pressure so you don't snap the lead.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Reese]

My local Lowes has thin wooden marking pencils. I don't remember the exact price but it seems they were less than $5.

 

[Black300zx]

As 88 shows, transfer punch.

Agreed! this is exactly what they were designed for

 

[ky-mike]

I would use a nail through the hole to mark drilling location

 

[racingtadpole]

Get a bolt the same size, rotate it, the end of the thread will score the paint

 

[CrazyTools]

It's a bit difficult to describe.

But say I have a plastic part I want to hang up. I need to make holes in a wall.
So I need to mark or draw a hole on the wall before I can drill.
But the plastic part has a depth of say 1 cm, with a hole of 4mm.

The problem is I can't insert a pencil or marker through the hole, to draw the point where I want to drill on the wall. Bcuz the fat pencil/marker has a taper and the tip won't reach the end of the hole.

Anyone has a suggestion ? Thanks in advance.

I would take a pilot drill such as my 1/64" and just turn it where I was planning on drilling. It would work like a center punch. You can use a 1/8" drill also, as it's smaller than a 4mm hole.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would use a nail through the hole to mark drilling location

or the drill bit itself.

 

[Dave455]

This is a common problem.

I use these ‘Pica’ pencils and pens that are designed especially for that purpose.

These are really well thought out items.

I generally use the pencil on wood and the pen on other surfaces, such as plaster. They offer coloured ‘chinagraph’ leads too, that write on all most surfaces. The pen will easily fit through a 4mm hole!

Bought these about a year back, and wouldn’t be without now!

Here in the U.K. there’s also a gadget that I see a lot of electricians using. It’s a small aerosol with a tapered nozzle. You hold your fitting in place, place the nozzle in each hole and give it a quick squirt. It marks the centre of the hole with a green “X”.

Edit - The aerosol marker is called a “Marxman” - they’re available online.

 

[John in OH]

Why not use a nail with a diameter slightly smaller than the 4mm hole?? Insert nail into hole and gently tap to mark wall.

 

[killahog]

Center hole punch set?

example:
https://www.harborfreight.com/28-piece-transfer-punch-set-3577.html?cid=paid_google|*PLA+-+All+Products+-+Lower+Sales+Items|New+Products+-+%282%29+Price+%2410-30|3577&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&mkwid=sybr7gXT1|pcrid|318476002941|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|slid||product|3577|&pgrid=63088204546&ptaid=pla-297108743161&pcid=1654049980&gclid=CjwKCAjw0ZfoBRB4EiwASUMdYQAwsu6Yk00MxGW6ytt9kjbrfxEOLDqHzm0r2axSkppf_CG1LOK1bxoCVLQQAvD_BwE

Good answer 88, you just provided me with a solution to a problem I don't have yet.

 

[BarryWells]

Easy. Use them all the time
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C196H4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[LOW1]

Doesn't anyone use a scratch awl any more?

 

[Marctrees]

Sure, but it is too fat for his hole.



Marc

 

[2oolhound]

Put the plastic thing in place and draw a light pencil mark along the top of it on the wall and a little tick on the sides. Now measure down from the top of the plastic thing to the center of the mount hole(s). Next, go to the line drawn on the wall and measure and mark that same distance down to mark your drill hole(s). You also need to make the center distance.

There is no need to mark through the hole.

 

[Ray-CA]

Ice pick?

Ray

 

[usdemt]

https://www.amazon.com/FastCap-Long-Nosed-Pattern-Marker/dp/B002NQPEE6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=long+reach+marker&qid=1560911061&s=gateway&sprefix=long+reach+mar&sr=8-1

Long reach marker. Menards sells them under a different brand

 

[Marctrees]

Seems to me a straightened paper clip would have worked 23 posts ago.



Marc

 

[TheLurker]

Nail, drill bit, paper clip, toothpick, q-tip dipped in paint...

 

[Zippercat]

Center punch
https://www.harborfreight.com/spring-loaded-center-punch-621.html