Thread: Layout fluid

Where are you guys buying your Dyemark or other layout fluid and can you buy it in small bottles rather than 1litre?

I hear it expires so don’t want to buy a large volume I’ll never use.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

Where are you guys buying your Dyemark or other layout fluid and can you buy it in small bottles rather than 1litre?

I hear it expires so don’t want to buy a large volume I’ll never use.

I've had a one litre bottle of engineering blue I think that's what is called.
For marking out on steel ext
For 15 plus years
And just used some the other month not a problem with it.

Cheers Matt
Happy to decant some for you but I won't be in my shed for a few weeks

I bought a 200ml bottle of Starrett layout dye.

I don't like it. Its really prone to flaking off and its hard to put on just a very thin layer.

I haven't used the Dykem brand but from what I've seen it seems to be better.

I bought a small quantity (100ml) from GAMECO/Artisan Supplies. Don't tend to use it all that often so 100ml will last quite a while. About $10 from memory.

I decanted the 100ml bottle into two 50ml paint touch-up bottles with brushes in the lids. Minimizes the loss from a spill, and makes them nice and convenient to use.

I usually just use a big Sharpie for marking out most simple things.

There was an interesting thread some time back on this subject, with many contributions from some of the usual suspects, which may shed some more light for you. in any case it will keep you out of mischief for a while while you read it all.
Marking Fluid

The thread was an interesting read...it went off more into attempts to make your own and seemed to come to an ubrupt stop in terms of the testing.

Bit more here too - //metalworkforums.com/f65/t200320-dykem-link

Michael

G'Day DSEL74,
I used blue marking medium for many years & have now found that black or grey etching primer makes a better marking medium. If it is sprayed on lightly a good fine line can be scribed into it & it is not affected by coolants, like the blue marking medium is. Best of all it's cheap & in a pressure pack. Worth a try!
Regards,
Don.

I purchased a 200ml or so bottle from Radio Spares about a year ago. Can't find the same size on their website. It had to come to W.A. by "special" courier because it is soooo dangerous, so it cost me, but there wher no alternatives here. You may do better as you are in Melbourne. They have 1 litre bottles for $86.80 + tax.
Regards,
Alan.