Simple Scribe - Another innovative aftermarket tool...

[Sean7a]

Pretty nifty, inexpensive but likely priceless arond the shop or on the job site.  Be sure to watch the youtube video.  A word from the inventor is included below...

Simple Scribe @ FP.com

FEATURES
Threaded pencil insert to prevent slipping
1/8" increment offsets for scribe lines
Made in the USA

Simplescribe was created by a top carpenter so we could deliver high quality work on time, every time to his clients with a minimum of rework required.  A few words from the inventor:

Hi. I'm Marty Crochet, a self-employed carpenter and the inventor of the Simple Scribe. Over the years of installing paneling, building cabinets, installing Formica, as well as many other projects that involve scribing to an abnormal wall, always seem to be a pain. You know, trying to set a compass scribe and keeping it set. Or cutting blocks of wood to try to get the right thickness and other methods to get that perfect scribe. This is how I came up with the Simple Scribe. I made my first one out of wood a few years back and used it constantly on many projects. One day, it was sitting on a cabinet that I had just built when a friend of the homeowner came to visit. As soon as he saw the wooden Simple Scribe, he asked where did I get it? I replied, I made it. He then said to make him one. I laughed. The homeowner told his friend that he had no idea what that piece of wood is. "Sure I do", his friend replied. "It's a scribing block. I'm a ship fitter (fitting iron)". "I would use it every day on my job if I had one. Come on, make me one or tell me how you made it". I laughed again. After hearing from someone else how helpful this tool really is, not just in carpentry work but also in the marine business, I decided to have it made for other people to use and make their projects, small or large, quicker and easier to complete using the Simple Scribe.

 

[nclemmons]

Great idea and the video really shows it's potential!

neil

 

[Sean7a]

Great idea and the video really shows it's potential!

neil

Agreed.  Video was a necessity.  I really got it after viewing the video, was quite skeptical at first.

 

[MahalaHomecraft]

Yeah only it's not a video.  I believe "slide show" Is the proper term.  Still that thing looks dope and that slide show is a great review of scribing techniques

 

[briankb]

I ordered a Simple Scribe from festoolproducts.com on 11/13/2013 as of today, it is still "processing" and hasn't shipped. I ordered from FP because this forum post was how I heard about the product. I've emailed support about shipping the order tomorrow (Monday) the 18th or just cancelling it.

 

[builderbob]

I ordered a Simple Scribe from festoolproducts.com on 11/13/2013 as of today, it is still "processing" and hasn't shipped. I ordered from FP because this forum post was how I heard about the product. I've emailed support about shipping the order tomorrow (Monday) the 18th or just cancelling it.

Best bet is to give those guys a shout!  Talk to Peter. They're awesome to deal with & they'll give you a heads up as to what's going on with your order.

 

[Wuffles]

Brilliant. Anyone showing anything like it in the UK? And not the one Axminster sell, it's too expensive for my money. And is essentially a round piece of plastic with a pencil sized hole in it for the equivalent of around $60.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-scribe-n-trace

 

[windmill man]

A pair of compasses from the pound shop and you can scribe  to the mm. It's worked for me all my working life. Or if you have a pillar drill and table saw I am sure you could knock up something similar very quickly

 

[Wuffles]

Pair of compasses it is then, beats my knuckle on those rough walls.

 

[Jonhilgen]

A pair of compasses from the pound shop and you can scribe  to the mm. It's worked for me all my working life. Or if you have a pillar drill and table saw I am sure you could knock up something similar very quickly

Roger that.  Can't do this with the simple scribe...

 

[MahalaHomecraft]

I read the term "pair of compasses" and was immediately intrigued… but that just means the same thing as "a compass," yes?

 

[Daver]

I ordered a Simple Scribe from festoolproducts.com on 11/13/2013 as of today, it is still "processing" and hasn't shipped. I ordered from FP because this forum post was how I heard about the product. I've emailed support about shipping the order tomorrow (Monday) the 18th or just cancelling it.

I ordered two of them on 11/13 as well. When I was placing the order online, a dialog box popped up and asked me if I had any questions. I wanted one of each color and indicated that. Peter said he would put it in the notes for me.
While we were talking ('chatting'), he let me know that this was a new product for them and that they would ship next week.
Just passing that along as an FYI.
Also spoke with Peter on the phone in August- or as us green freaks referred to it, '55REQ Prohibition Era' while I was looking for a 75.
I've found them to be very helpful with customer service for what it's worth.

 

[Wuffles]

I read the term "pair of compasses" and was immediately intrigued… but that just means the same thing as "a compass," yes?

Our historic maritime English, a compass is for navigating. But essentially what you refer to as a compass is what he's describing.

 

[GhostFist]

Ya I don't get the scribe jigs, compass can't be beat IMO. I admit it took a little getting used to at first but what carpenter is without a compass? You're lost without one

 

[Daver]

Ya I don't get the scribe jigs, compass can't be beat IMO. I admit it took a little getting used to at first but what carpenter is without a compass? You're lost without one

I've found compasses to excel- in the right circumstances.

Having said that, I purchased a FastCap and can't say I've found the right circumstances for it. So far it has failed to live up to its billing. I may change my mind if the 'right' use for it comes along.
One version of a compass scribe I've seen and used (borrowed) and can vouch for is the Veritas transfer/log scribe. A great tool for many- not saying all- tasks.
Something the Veritas tool has over a stock compass is the level. It's a nice addition and depending on the line you're following, is sometimes essential. It's also rugged as heck and it's easy to really lock down the settings- something I can't say of the FastCap.
There are certainly some jobs the Veritas is too big for- it's a big piece of kit.

After all that, why a Simple Scribe? Sometimes simple is what's called for. Perfect example: I have to place a vanity in a basement, the floor of which slopes 1" over 4 feet. Compounding the job is the fact that the base of the vanity is radiused at each end. Perfect use of the Simple Scribe. I look forward to using it when I have linear scribing tasks where all that's needed is to select a round number (in eighths) and dash off a scribe line quickly.

I enjoyed the photo Jon Hilgenburg posted in post #9. Brought back fond memories of scribing a piece of hemlock to a stone wall that had a multitude of twists and turns.

I find scribing to be a rewarding carpenter's exercise and certainly believe that having more than one way (tool) to get there adds to my capabilities.
A basic compass is by far the most useful and versatile scribing tool. I look forward to adding the Simple Scribe to that section of my toolbox.

 

[MahalaHomecraft]

Im with Daver on having more than one scribing tool.

I have the FastCap AccuScribe and I really like it, but it's true that it doesn't always lock down easily, and I think that for what it can handle, the simple scribe is a better bet.

The disadvantage to a regular compass is that it takes more effort to keep it square to the "wall" or whatever you're scribing against, and the accuscribe makes this much easier.

However, nothing but a compass can scribe that brick line from the picture.

I think the simple scribe + compass is the perfect combination of scribing tools to handle every task, and would make having the accuscribe unnecessary.  I'll be ordering mine shortly

 

[waho6o9]

I was having problems receiving my simple scribe as well.

Marty from simple scribe called me and will make things right.

Is that awesome or what?  If you're having problems you can email Marty:

martycrochet@gmail.com

This was done with his permission.

Thanks again Marty and every one at Simple Scribe.
[big grin]

 

[Motown]

Just curious to see if the guys who ordered the Simple Scribe like it or would recommend. I am thinking of getting one but would like to hear if you thought it was effective. Thanks in advance.

 

[wow]

Here's the contact information for Simple Scribe, since it wasn't, well - simple - to locate:

Simplescribe.Com, Inc
164 Andrew Dr Ste 400
Stockbridge, Georgia 30281-9056
USA
tel: +1 7705075878

 

[dicktill]

Just curious to see if the guys who ordered the Simple Scribe like it or would recommend. I am thinking of getting one but would like to hear if you thought it was effective. Thanks in advance.

I like mine; a lot easier than dividers or compass.