Some of the most important tools on the job are the least expensive, and the most often overlooked.
Once you’ve measured and calculated your angle, you need to make your mark accurately. Here’s what you need.
For framing and other rough carpentry, a soft “carpenters” pencil leaves a dark mark that’s easy to see. The pencil is rectangular rather than cylindrical, so it won’t roll away. The lead won’t break easily, and you can sharpen it with a utility knife. For more precise work, use a drafting pencil with harder lead.
To make even more precise marks, scribe them with a scratch awl, which looks something like a screwdriver, but has a sharp metal point at the end. (The scratch awl’s also great for marking a hole for drilling; it gives you an indent to start a screw or drill bit.) The scratch awl works best with the grain; across the grain, a sharp utility knife might be your best bet.
For long straight lines, a chalk line is best. The line comes in a metal container which holds powdered chalk. You simply fix the attached hook to a nail or the end of your material, pull out the line, hold it taut, lift the line somewhere near the middle, and let go. The line snaps back down, leaving a mark. Then you wind the line back in. The longer the distance, the less accurate your mark will be, but up to 20 feet, it does an admirable job.
(The refillable container is also designed to work as a plumb bob, so it’s two tools in one.)