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Marking Gauges

author-gravatar Billybob45360 Apr 14, 2016

For the r/woodworking scrap wood challenge I made three different marking gauges from one block of mystery wood left over from a failed project. This was my first documented build and mistakes were made but it was a fun and challenging learning experience. I hope you enjoy!

Photo of Marking Gauges

All three gauges.

Photo of Marking Gauges

The first one I made was the standard marking gauge.

Photo of Marking Gauges

This one is a slitting gauge similar to the marking gauge.

Photo of Marking Gauges

This one is the Mortise and Tenon gauge. 

Photo of Marking Gauges

Started out with a block measuring 10 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 1/2.

Photo of Marking Gauges

planed all 4 sides.

Photo of Marking Gauges

Cut for the fence and beams. This one shows the 3/4 in. cut to size the beams. lost a few pics after this but I then cut 1 1/4 for the width of the fence. After that I cut the height of the fences to 2 1/4. I got 4 beams at 3/4 square.

Photo of Marking Gauges

Found the center and used a bowl lid to get the arc. All three fences are identical.

Photo of Marking Gauges

Close up of the fence. 

Photo of Marking Gauges

Missing a few pics before this but I'll do my best to explain. I transferred the size of each beam to a fence and marked it. Then drilled out most of the waste with a 1/2 in bit. Chopped to my marks using a 1/2 in chisel as the hole was slightly under 3/4 in. Next I drilled a 23/64 hole and threaded that with a 3/8 bolt. Found it to be a little big but holds. Using a bolt works but probably would be easier with a tap. The pin is a 6d finishing nail and is placed a 1/2 in from the end and centered in the beam. I used a 3/8-16 x 1 thumb screw for easy adjustment.

Photo of Marking Gauges

Assembled gauge.

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Close up.

Photo of Marking Gauges

This is the beam for the slitting gauge. I marked center and came in 1 1/4 in from the end, then cut on my line. 

Photo of Marking Gauges

I drilled for 2 random machine screws and counter-sunk the heads.

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Here I have the nuts set into a hole slightly smaller then the nut. Snug fit but will probably super glue them in at some point.

Photo of Marking Gauges

The cutter was made from a wide piece of .0030 steel banding. Not sure yet if it will hold up but time will tell.

Photo of Marking Gauges

After cutting it out i roughed the shape in on the bench grinder and finished it with a file. Tried to get the same angle and taper on both sides.

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With the cutter in place.

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Fully assembled.

Photo of Marking Gauges
Photo of Marking Gauges

On the beam I chiseled out a 1/4 in deep dado 7 1/4 long.

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Cut a small piece to fit the dado. 1/4 in square.

Photo of Marking Gauges

took a old screw and put it centered on the slide 1/2 from the end. Pre-drilled the hole to avoid splitting.

Photo of Marking Gauges

Another angle.

Photo of Marking Gauges

Using another found screw I placed it on the side of the beam to lock the slide in place. Same finishing nails for the pins. 

Photo of Marking Gauges

Assembled beam.

Photo of Marking Gauges

Assembled Mortise and Tenon gauge.

Photo of Marking Gauges
Photo of Marking Gauges

All three gauges together. I haven't decided on a finish yet. This being my first documented build has taught me a lot, like better documentation of each step! Again sorry for the missing pictures and I hope you enjoyed!

2 comments

Awesome. I love the mortise gauge. 

For the slitting gauge, shouldn't the blade be rotated 90 degrees to be parallel to the face of the gauge? How would this one be used?

I really like your builds and would someday like to try making my own gauges.

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