Marking out or layout means the process of transferring a design or pattern to a workpiece, as the first step in the manufacturing process.[1] It is performed in many industries or hobbies although in the repetition industries the machine's initial setup is designed to remove the need to mark out every individual piece.
Surface plate or marking out table — provides a true surface from which to work
Angle plates — assist in holding the workpiece perpendicular to the table
Scriber — is the equivalent of a pen or pencil. It literally scratches the metal surface leaving behind a fine, bright line
Height gauge or scribing block — allows lines to be scribed at a preset distance, from the tables surface
Surface gauge — an ungraduated comparison measuring tool that performs much the same function as the vernier height gauge. It is often used in conjunction with a dial indicator and a precision height gauge.
Marking blue — to provide a usable writing surface by covering any existing scratches and providing a contrasting background
The "chalk" is actually a small pre-cut block of talc (soapstone). These talc blocks can be sharpened to a stronger point than the softer blackboard chalk. The color of the chalk provides good contrast against the dark color of the hot rolled steel that is generally used.[3]
In carpentry and joinery practice a pencil is used for marking while in cabinetmaking a marking knife provides for greater accuracy. A storey pole is used to lay out repeated measurements such as the location of joints in timber framing, courses of siding such as wood shingles and clapboards, the heights of doorjambs and the courses of bricks in masonry.[4] Carpenters typically mark out framing members on-center, the measurements are to the centers of each member.
