Wheel marking gauges -- important design considerations, etc.

[Michael Ray Smith]

I have a cheap wheel marking gauge, and I wonder if more expensive ones are better. I'd like to hear experiences with different types and opinions on which ones are the best -- and why. Not just the best manufacturer, but the important design considerations. For example, Lee Valley sells a Starrett for me or than $100. Is it really that much better than others? And how useful are the double gauges, the ones you can use to mark both sides of a mortise, groove, etc., at the same time?

Thanks!

[Mike Henderson]

To me, the TiteMark (http://www.glen-drake.com/Tite-Mark.html)is the Cadillac of marking gauges and it's less than $100. LV has one (http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=59455&cat=1,42936) that works as well, is about $40, but is not as convenient as the TiteMark. If you go with the LV, get the micro adjust one.

Mike

[Tony Zaffuto]

I had a LV, sold it and got the Titemark. The Titemark just works so much better for me, can't explain why, since the two are so similar in design.

[ken hatch]

Important features are: The wheel is flat and the screw holding the wheel is flush. Cheaper marking gauges the screw head will not be flush with the marking wheel. Will the beam "lock", the TiteMark will. Not all others do, I've had even some of the better gauges other than TiteMark move. I find the "micro" adjust of the Titemark very useful. On that YMMV.

Double gauges, not a deal breaker either way....can be hard to adjust. Usefulness depends on how you work and use a gauge.

ken

[glenn bradley]

TiteMark and Lee Valley get my vote. I have a couple of Lee Valley's and tend to reach for this one (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=69871&cat=1,42936) more often than the other; the offset rod and greater comfort in use I guess. Although both work well and have never slipped once set the fine adjust feature (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=69871&cat=1,42936) is not present on the stainless 'limited edition' version. I have used both for many years; long enough to require a replacement wheel on one.

[paul cottingham]

I have both the "limited edition" LV gauge, and a couple of the regular wheel gauges. I also have a bunch of wooden ones, people just seem to give them to me.

My beam gauges are pretty great as well, especially the LN panel gauge, but they don't hold a candle to the wheel gauges.

The wheel gauges are fantastic. I suspect a TiteMark would wreck me, and I would have to sell all of my current gauges to buy a couple of them.

So I ain't trying one, no siree. :-)

cant imagine woodworking without them.

[Jim Koepke]

Michael,

Here is my comparison of the LV and the Tite Mark:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?133966-Tite-Mark-Compared-to-Veritas-Wheel-Gauge

My Tite Mark is my go to marking gauge. There are a few Stanley pin gauges that are also often used. for me the LV with the micro adjust is a bit difficult to use. It may be mostly due to an injury to my right hand many years ago.

I have not tried any of the double wheels for mortise & tenon marking. My old adjustable pin gauge seems to work well for that.

jtk

[Mike Brady]

Titemark, without doubt. I learned the hard way.

[Michael Ray Smith]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm detecting a pattern here......:)

Just checked out the Tite-Marks on the Glen-Drake web site. The fixed width double wheels are a fantastic idea. A huge percentage of the grooves and dadoes I cut are 1/4". I'd pay $20 extra for that fixed width double wheel.

[Jim Koepke]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm detecting a pattern here......:)

Just checked out the Tite-Marks on the Glen-Drake web site. The fixed width double wheels are a fantastic idea. A huge percentage of the grooves and dadoes I cut are 1/4". I'd pay $20 extra for that fixed width double wheel.

More likely for me to spend the extra money and get a second Tite-Mark.

May consider the dual cutter, but then more than one size would be needed.

jtk

[Reinis Kanders]

I like my veritas, but have not tried tite-mark. One with two rods is handy because one has choice in cutter's bevel direction and fence is oval and does not roll off the table. I think micro-adjust might just get in a way, I like to tap the table for microadjust.

[Jim Belair]

The Veritas double wheel heads cannot be adjusted closer than 3/8".

[Dave Beauchesne]

I have both LV and Tite Mark.

TO bring the LV closer to Tite Mark performance - make sure you hone the wheel! The LV wheels are much ' duller ' that the TM; the TM can stand for a honing to 8000 grit as well.

Good luck -

Dave B

[David Bassett]

The Veritas double wheel heads cannot be adjusted closer than 3/8".

This is true of the "Marking/Mortise Gauge Heads (http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=60488&cat=1,42936)" accessory kit with two wheels on the same shaft. But it is not true for the "Veritas Dual Marking Gauge (http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=67466&cat=1,42936)", to which I (initially) thought you were referring. If I had the dexterity, I could set my Dual Gauge to mark a single line with both cutter wheels.

[Michael Ray Smith]

I wouldn't want one to cover everything I may ever do. A single 1/4 inch would probably take care of 80-90%of the grooves and dadoes I cut. The other 10-20% I can mark one side at a time.

[Mike Brady]

Michael, PM me if you are interested in a lightly used Veritas double rod.