What Is a Scriber?
A scriber is a tool used to mark the position to be processed as a pre-process for cutting and drilling of metal parts, solid metal, and resin materials.
Since it is necessary to scratch very hard materials such as metal and plastic parts, the materials used for the scriber needles are hard materials such as steel, super steel, carbon steel, or industrial diamond. Scriber needles are generally sold by manufacturers of measuring instruments and tools.
Uses of Scriber Needles
Scriber needles are used to scratch a variety of materials, including glass, resin, reinforced resin, aluminum, copper, brass, steel, ultra-steel, and high-tensile steel, for use as a guide for cutting, cutting, drilling, and other processes. When used, it is used together with a square, ruler, metal scale, or convex. Scriber needles are also used to make it easier to carve lines on Gundam plastic models.
Scriber needles come in two types: straight needles and curved needles, and some products have both types attached to both ends of the body. Some products have a metal spatula attached to the part of the scriber needle opposite the needle part, which can remove metal rust or shave the surface smooth when there are burr edges, etc.
Principle of Scriber Needles
Scriber needles are made of steel, tungsten carbide, or carbon steel. Some needles are equipped with tips made of cemented carbide or industrial diamonds. These tips have excellent wear resistance and are resistant to chipping. The tips are also treated to resist rust, especially with nickel or chrome plating to protect the tip.
Other Information on Scriber Needles
1. Tips on Using Scriber Needles
When using a scriber to draw a processing guideline, use a metal scale or a square that will provide a guide.
If it is difficult to see the scratches drawn with the scriber, use a special paint marker or developer to mark the scratches before actually making the scratches, so that you can identify where the scratches were made.
When drawing a straight line with a scriber, do not stop in the middle of the line, but draw the line all the way through at once. Repeatedly re-drawing a line may cause multiple lines, which may result in a loss of processing accuracy. Scriber needles generally have a straight needle on one side and a curved needle on the other side.
A bevel type, with a straight needle on one side and a curved needle on the other, can be used to remove rust and unwanted paint from metal parts and solid metal materials.
Pencil-type scriber needles are convenient because they can be used as if holding a pen. The knock type, which has a knock mechanism at the back end of the pen, is safer because the Scriber’s needle part can be retracted. There are also products that allow replacement of the tip of the needle when it wears out.
2. Types of Scriber Needle Tools
The following are the main types of tools used to perform beveling work.
Punch
The tip of the punch is conical and can be used to mark a temporary hole to make it easier to receive the drill blade before drilling. It is often used before drilling with a drilling machine. In order to drill larger holes, most needles are solidly built except for the tip.
Scriber Needle
These are used to scratch common metal parts, solid metal, and plastic materials to give a processing guide. It is shaped like an instrument used by dental hygienists to remove tartar.
Pencil-Shaped Scriber
The ballpoint pen-like handle fits comfortably in the hand. It can be used for delicate areas and for some freehand scraping.
Compasses
The pencil part of a compass used as stationery has a hard Scriber needle. It is easy to draw curves, but the force is difficult to control.
Toscan
A toscan is fixed to a place like a surface plate, and a straight line is drawn horizontally by moving the movable part. Since strong magnets are generally used to fix the base, it is often used at a surface plate, but it may also be used tentatively at non-metallic type locations.