Ring Saw Issue

[Audrey]

I just tried my new ring saw today and the "permanent" marker lines seem to wash away before my eyes. What does everyone use to keep the lines on the glass?

[Chantal]

I'm aware of that problem, and it's one part of the long list of reasons I give to discourage people from buying saws.  There are many more reasons.

You can try STAEDLER markers, they stay noticeably longer than Sharpies. 

You can trace your pieces on cardboard and glue them to the glass.  Or you can use that more durable material... is it Kevlar?  Some sort of plastic whose name I forget.  I haven't used those solutions myself, when I used a ring saw to cut 100's of pieces of drapery, because you can't stick anything flat to drapery either.

[Anne]

Audrey, i draw my lines on then cover them with white ink.  I found the Pentel white pens work the best.  They aren't perfect but work better than anything else I've found.  When we were unpacking my saw there was a piece of plastic stapled on the grid.  We took it off thinking it shouldn't be there.  In hindsight it should have been left on as it would have kept so much water from 'spitting up' on to the piece you're trying to cut.  I now cut moving an extra piece of glass alongside (if I'm cutting a small piece) to keep the water from spitting up on my glass and removing my cut line. If I'm cutting on a bigger piece then I turn the piece to keep the water down.  Does that make sense to you?

[Alan]

Going over your marker lines lightly with chap stick also helps to keep them on a little longer.

[Audrey]

Thanks everyone.
Alan- the chapstick doesn't harm the blade? and you can still see well enough through it?

[Alan]

Been using same blade in ring saw for more than three years, and using chap stick the whole time - no apparent harm to the blade. If the chap stick is put on lightly - yes you can still the lines.

[Linde]

Yep, chap stick does work pretty well and I've also used a glue stick from time to time. The blade is not harmed because it is diluted with all the water in the tub.

[Kev]

Chapstick here as well. for dark glass, you can use a liquid paper pen to mark your lines, let dry and smudge with chapstick.

[Anne]

Guess I'll have to try the chap stick - that's a new one to me - but obviously it works.  My paint pen is almost dry anyway - I'm glad you asked Audrey!

[Graham]

Chapstick her as well. for dark glass, you can use a liquid paper pen to mark your lines, let dry and smudge with chapstick.

That's half the secret, no matter what you mark with. Let the stuff dry properly!

[PiscesGlass]

You can also rub a light coating of petroleum jelly over the lines...I've had no problem with the lines staying.  Haven't tried the chapstick, but it would be less messy..lol..you can also purchase Mark Stay...if you really want to spend some $$$.

Hope this helps!  De