Jeff Wittrock
02-06-2010, 6:53 PM
I have always liked the wheel type marking gages so I thought I would try and make something similar.
I guess it isn't really a wheel gage since the cutter doesn't spin. The cutter and shaft are a single piece made from a 5/16" hex head bolt with the threaded section cut off. I ground the hex head round and thin, then down to a knife edge. I hardened then honed the edge. I know the quality and pedigree of the steel is questionable, but it cuts well and seems to be holding up.
For the thumb screw, I just used a 1/4 hex head bolt and again ground the hex head round and cut the knurling with a small triangle file. Sorry for the poor quality photos, but I coudn't take one well enough to show the knurling. Despite my crude method, the thumb screw actually came out better than I thought.
The is just a piece of hard maple I had on hand. I didn't both with any finish, but just waxed it.
I guess it isn't really a wheel gage since the cutter doesn't spin. The cutter and shaft are a single piece made from a 5/16" hex head bolt with the threaded section cut off. I ground the hex head round and thin, then down to a knife edge. I hardened then honed the edge. I know the quality and pedigree of the steel is questionable, but it cuts well and seems to be holding up.
For the thumb screw, I just used a 1/4 hex head bolt and again ground the hex head round and cut the knurling with a small triangle file. Sorry for the poor quality photos, but I coudn't take one well enough to show the knurling. Despite my crude method, the thumb screw actually came out better than I thought.
The is just a piece of hard maple I had on hand. I didn't both with any finish, but just waxed it.