Marking-tools include all implements for indicating lines and centres in various pieces of work, and consist of scribers, straight-edges, squares, gauges, dividers, and a few others; and it will be observed that several marking-tools are sometimes used for measuring.

Scribers

The simplest sort of scriber is a piece of straight steel wire pointed at one end, and six or seven inches in length ; this is held in one hand, in the same manner as a pen is held; and, while thus held, the scriber is put to one side of a straight-edge which is on the work to be marked, and a straight line is made, by drawing along the scriber while in contact with the straight-edge, and with sufficient pressure to make the mark desired, whether thick or thin. Scribers are both straight and angled, resembling Figs. 266, 267, and 268 ; the angled ones being necessary for marking the places of holes and slots where there is not sufficient room to admit a straight scriber. Bent scribers are used in a horizontal position, consequently it is convenient to either fix the scriber in a wood handle, similar to that in Fig. 268, or to provide a bow handle, like the one shown in Fig. 267. The short marking end of a bent scriber is as short as convenient, that it may not tremble while in use.