Reddit reviews Staedtler 502 BK A6 Mars Rotary Action Lead Pointer and Tub for 2mm Leads, 502BKA6,Blue

https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Rotary-Action-Pointer-502BKA6/dp/B002EL9J50


Looks to be some kind of drafting pencil sharpener with erasers


Edit - the white things aren't erasers. They seem to be for wiping off graphite shavings from the sharpening process so your paper stays clean

It’s a mechanical pencil lead pointer. Like a sharpener for the 2mm drafting pencils. (I know they don’t use lead, it’s what they still call them). There’s a file like material on the inside wall. When the pencil is spun around, it finely grinds on the wall to make a point.

This is a newer version: Staedtler Mars Rotary Action Lead Pointer and Tub for 2mm Leads, 502BKA6 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B002EL9J50/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rCpMBb6F2KNR4

The old ones like that are pretty hard to find.

Cheers

Not kidding, I've have mine for 20+ years. Being able to swap leads to harder or softer or even different colors is a great advantage.

Paired with a proper sharpener this is the last pencil you'll buy.

I use a lead pointer. It's more expensive than using a knife or the sharpener on the top of your lead holder, but I think they're worth it.

Personally, I'm much more a fan of a good lead holder. Staedtler makes one that i've used for years. Just be sure to get the accompanying sharpener. If you remove the clip, you can rotate in your fingers as you draw a line to get very crisp, neat linework. Lineweight is determined by the hardness of the lead you use.

Otherwise, you may want to wait until you enter school. Each program tends to have its own idiosyncratic preferences for graphics and drafting techniques.

I use the same lead holder, and sharpen it with a pointer like this: https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Rotary-Action-Pointer-502BKA6/dp/B002EL9J50

It might take a few tries to get used to, but it takes just seconds to sharpen, and they have a little foam thingamabob to clean off excess graphite.

For sketching, I use a Staedtler Mars 780 and to get it to the sharpness I like, I use a Staedtler Rotary

For inking, I mainly use Pigma Microns, but also like using other brands such as Kurutake Zig or Staedtler pigment liners, all of which I'm sure you can find at your local art store

Hope that helps!

I have the same problem with mechanical pencils. 0.7 mm leads used to be better for me. But I like to use a clutch pencil with 2mm leads, in f or h for hardness. The sharpener/pointer for most of these is in the lid/cap but you can get different sharpeners for these that fit keychain, but i like the Steadler Mars Rotary action sharpener for clutch pencils. For wood cased pencils the other Steadler sharpeners seem to work best for my students in the elementary school classroom

Yeah no prob. I'll put them in this order: Lead Holder (very dark), sharpener (needs special sharpener, trust me you really need it), GraphGear, Copics, Chameleon, fine liners (I'll put the ones I use, but Micron's are a little more expensive option for better quality).

Staedtler Mars 780 Technical Mechanical Pencil, 2mm. 780BK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YQEFGU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9mS6CbSFJAYEC

Staedtler 502 BK A6 Mars Rotary Action Lead Pointer and Tub for 2mm Leads, 502BKA6 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EL9J50/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mqS6CbVQD8F47

Pentel Graph Gear 1000 Automatic Drafting Pencil, 0.7mm Lead Size, Blue Barrel, 1 Each (PG1017C) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GAXKGU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IqS6CbS16A0FB

Copic Markers 6-Piece Sketch Set, Bold Primaries (SKST6-BOLD) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XR7XZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ctS6CbR4M2RF0

Copic Markers 6-Piece Sketch Set, Skin Tones I https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XR92EG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YtS6Cb6Z6HZWJ

Chameleon Art Products, Chameleon 5-Pen, Primary Tones Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJ97KXS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6uS6CbVHJ0THK

Sakura 50203 8-Piece Pigma Manga Comic Pro Drawing Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004N98UIS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8vS6Cb3D5HZBS

I use this lead pointer for most of my lead holders. I've been using this lead pointer for my Rapid Pro 2.0 since the Steadtler is too small to fit the barrel but the blade goes dull pretty fast.

I assume you have not used hand tools much.

The first thing I would learn how to do and invest in is how to get your tools sharp, like really sharp. I mean shiny flat back and edge razor sharp. Without really sharp tools - hand joinery is not fun and much harder than it needs to be.

There is the scary sharp method, I am sure u/Peniceiling's suggestion works great, I use Shapton Stones, there are as many ways to sharpen as there are woodworkers.

But you will need to research and invest time in some way of sharpening and get good at it.

A simple Honing Guide can make things easier when you start.

This Small Rip Dozuki B. was recommended by the instructor I had for a hand joinery class last year as the best bang for the buck they knew of - I found it works great.

I'd get a 1/2in Chisel. When you get the chisel, it will not be sharp. You will have to spend time tuning it up.

A Mallet to hit the chisel.

I personally prefer a round marking gauge. This has to be sharpened just like your chisel so it cuts the wood fibers evenly and cleanly.

Small Sliding Bevel gauge to mark your dovetails.

A good quality double square is invaluable. Best $ value I have found for one of these is here.

A 2.0mm lead holder with sharpener is very helpful. Lets you mark into areas a regular pencil will not fit.

That would be everything I can think of to do all half blind and through dovetails, finger-joints etc.

A drill(press) and a couple more chisels sizes will get you mortise and tenons with standard 4/4 6/4 and 8/4 stock.

Good Luck.

Your staedtler lead holder should have a sharpener built in the push button.

[This sharpener] (https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-502-BK-A6-Pointer/dp/B002EL9J50) might be overkill for the shop pencil, but I would never use a lead holder without one.

If you like the idea of mechanical pencils, but hate how thin the lead is, try a lead holder (this one you need to adjust the length of the lead manually, but they also make ones that advance the lead with a click. The downside is if you like having a sharp tip you also need to get a lead pointer.

I highly recommend the pencil that I use, It's even on a pretty good sale right now!
https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Mars-Technical-Mechanical-Pencil/dp/B000YQEFGU

And this is the sharpener:
https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Rotary-Action-Pointer-502BKA6/dp/B002EL9J50/ref=pd_sim_229_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41fnryers5L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR172%2C320_&psc=1&refRID=VPPRN3NGX9HEAQW2XJ0B

The softness of lead is up to you, since that's preference.