Replies

1. 
   roy.unit8c | Apr 22, 2022 03:06pm | #1

   I would use blue painters' tape. I would use a marking knife instead of a pencil. Peel off the tape on the waste side leaving the part you want (whether tails or pins). The tape then acts like a small shoulder for your saw to start cutting. Another way is to use a white or other visible color pencil from an office supply store like Steve Latta uses.

2. 
   user-6983784 | Apr 22, 2022 03:07pm | #2

   You can try white lead pencils. I use these when laying out lines on walnut.

3. 
   _mj_ | Apr 22, 2022 03:28pm | #3

   White or yellow pencil. You can find mechanical pencils in different colors.

4. 
   JEarch | Apr 22, 2022 04:37pm | #4

   I use white Prismacolor pencils on dark wood but only for rough layout. For cutting dovetails, or anything else requiring accuracy, blue painters’ tape is the way to go.

5. 
   bilyo | Apr 22, 2022 05:43pm | #5

   I have read that these work well. I have no first hand experience.
   https://www.amazon.com/Sewline-Fabric-Ceramic-Quantity-Refills/dp/B017WXXSF6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23AQ4EFNVHLT5&keywords=white%2Bceramic%2Bpencil&qid=1650663745&sprefix=white%2Bceramic%2Bpen%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-1&th=1

6. 
   john_c2 | Apr 22, 2022 06:01pm | #6

   Pounce bag.

7. 
   TonyBGood | Apr 22, 2022 06:28pm | #7

   I will go with blue tape since of course that’s what I own already but love the other ideas too. Thanks!

1. 
   tbonetim | Apr 23, 2022 02:34am | #8

   Here's the link to Mike Pekovich's article on the blue tape trick.

   (Pekovich:blue tape=Charlesworth:ruler)

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/membership/pdf/18682/011240024.pdf

8. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Apr 23, 2022 07:57am | #9

   Use a fine marking awl, then go over the lines with a piece of chalkboard chalk, dust off with your bench brush. The chalk will stay behind in the lines.

   It will disappear when you split the lines with your saw, and then on glue up and finishing.