Writing Device Options

[spectre6000]

I'm trying to decide the best route to go for my garage. I like to keep checklists going for various projects. It helps keep my brain organized, and also gives me a bit of motivation to get things done so I can scratch them off the list. I currently have three boards that have fallen into my possession, two dry erase boards and a chalk board, and I can't decide what to put where or even if I should hold onto them or pass them on. I have two single car garages; one is a wood shop (currently holding a car project) and the other is a auto/metal shop.

Here are the pros and cons of each system as I currently see/understand them:


Dry Erase Board (general)

Pros:
-Good visibility
-Multiple color options
-Inexpensive materials (markers)
-Easily obtainable materials (again, markers)
-Easy cleanup
-Can be combined with schematic-under-(plexi)glass setup

Cons:
-Markers dry up
-Boards can be difficult to clean if left too long (i.e. long term project checklists)
-General distaste for "disposable society" (markers are just landfill fodder in potentia)
-Forget the cap once, and the marker is dead
-Cheap feeling
-Many disparate pieces to lose (multiple marker colors, erasers, cleaner, etc.)
-Temporary

Chalkboard (general)

Pros:
-Materials never go bad (chalk)
-Can be left for years and still erase just fine
-No waste

Cons:
-Chalk is net exactly easy to find these days...
-Chalk breaks (can be mitigated with chalk holding device)
-Dust
-Less differentiation with color options (everything is pastel, and can be difficult to discern to less-than-color-sensitive eyes)
-More difficult to erase
-Temporary

Paper and pen/pencil/marker (general)

Pros:
-Permanent
-Easier to record greater detail (pencil on paper is finer than chalk/markers are capable of)
-Pencils don't dry out, not much in the way of waste

Cons:
-Space
-Waste (paper for non-permanent recordings)
-Flammable
-More things to keep track of

Dry Erase Board (Wood Shop)

Pros:
-Dry erase markers might make for highly visible wood marking devices (lighter woods) on occasion (might dry them up faster though...)

Cons:
-Sawdust can create issues with the markers (dry up faster, etc.)
-Sawdust can get in eraser and cause scratching to the board, killing it
-Marker ink can get in wood, and that stuff soaks deep... (special consideration if kids are around)

Chalkboard (Wood Shop)

Pros:
-Not affected by dust/shavings

Cons:
-Dust could get in finish

Paper and pen/pencil/marker (Wood Shop)

Pros:
-Pencil shavings == wood shavings (disposal system in place)
-Lots of different ways lying around to keep pencils happy
-Pencils/pens are perfect for marking wood and are likely already lying around somewhere

Cons:
-

Dry Erase Board (Auto/Metal Shop)

Pros:
-Might be good for marking on painted pieces

Cons:
-Writing surface easily scratched/damaged by welding slag, metal shavings, etc.

Chalkboard (Auto/Metal Shop)

Pros:
-Good for marking on bare metal
-Not affected by dust/shavings
-Chalk can be used to keep files happy

Cons:
-Oil + Chalk = "Bad Thing"
-Absolutely requires holder in this application (oil again)
-Dust in paint

Paper and pen/pencil/marker (Auto/Metal Shop)

Pros:

Cons:
-Oil + paper = "Bad Thing"
-Pencil shavings

I'm sure there are additional considerations I'm failing to see at the moment. Chemical issues, specific applications, special conditions, additional benefits I'm unaware of (i.e. some neat trick involving chalk dust or something)... What does the community have to offer on the subject?

 

[jkwilson]

Dry erase. If the marker won't wipe off the board, a little acetone will clean it right up.

Clamping a diagram, set of plans or a map between two sheets of plexiglass makes an outstanding dry erase board.

 

[1950mercury]

Id use the chalk board in the metal shop..cause you can ise chalk on your files to keep them from clogging or loading up

 

[spectre6000]

OP edited to reflect posts to this point.

 

[BoonDockSaint]

They make a two part dry erase paint that you can put on most surfaces. Handy if you want a space to use dry erase and don't want to cut the dry erase board.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Is this a green or black board we're talking about?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Brownsfan]

This is easy. Smart Board(interactive white board) . In classic GJ fashion overkill of course. http://smarttech.com/Home+Page/Solutions/Business+Solutions?WT.ac=homepage_bus
just need a projector and a computer

 

[bczygan]

It's obvious by the detail with which you analyze things, that you are in dire need of a complete video wall: