Marking gauge prototype

[Bill Carey]

I finally got tired of the pin type gauges and decided to make one. Wasn't sure of the shape because I like to hold the beam not body, and I don't like holding work off the edge of the bench to mark lines. Then I saw one that I liked and I copied it. Forget the name. And I couldn't find a suitable blade until I found this 6 dollar marking knife on Amazon. Bought 2 and the steel turns out to pretty hard. I think the real one will be cherry - not sure yet. Or maybe the proto will get used for the next many years.

453337 453338 453340

[Mark Rainey]

I like it Bill, white oak? Japanese gauges frequently use white oak. Nice long fence for good registration, yet thin enough ? 5/8 ? 3/4 so you do not have to deal with interference from work table top.

[Frederick Skelly]

I'll bet you'll like that.
I made a 4"version out of purpleheart a couple years back.

[Bill Carey]

I like it Bill, white oak? Japanese gauges frequently use white oak. Nice long fence for good registration, yet thin enough ? 5/8 ? 3/4 so you do not have to deal with interference from work table top.

Yes, QSWO. And being able to mark with the board flat on the workbench was one of the requirements.

[Tom Bender]

Hi Bill
No doubt you saw my recent post. Here it is as revised. Works great.

454103454104

[Dennis Peacock]

I have one from that very design. Very handy. Nice work!!

[Bill Carey]

Hi Bill
No doubt you saw my recent post. Here it is as revised. Works great.

454103454104

No Tom, I missed it somehow. I like your method for capturing the blade. And what did you use for the blade? Thanks for the pics - they are giving me some ideas for the next one.

[Bill Carey]

I have one from that very design. Very handy. Nice work!!

Thx Dennis - I have the blanks cut for 3 more - cherry, walnut and maple. I want one that I can use for dovetail marking so I'm going to try bending a flat bar for the blade so I can drop it on flat on a board for thickness marking.

[Tony Shea]

I've also made a couple of gauges in that style during a time when I needed multiple marking gauges set without disrupting the other settings. I ended up using jigsaw blades as the marking blade and it works wonderfully. I decided to use a thumbnail profile on the bevel and am very happy with it. It tends to ride on the wood better than a pointed blade that can stick if you don't have the gauge tilted at the correct angle.

I believe the design comes from Hamilton marking gauges.

[Bill Carey]

I've also made a couple of gauges in that style during a time when I needed multiple marking gauges set without disrupting the other settings. I ended up using jigsaw blades as the marking blade and it works wonderfully. I decided to use a thumbnail profile on the bevel and am very happy with it. It tends to ride on the wood better than a pointed blade that can stick if you don't have the gauge tilted at the correct angle.

I believe the design comes from Hamilton marking gauges.

Yes it's a copy of a Hamilton gauge. ANd I agree about the thumbnail profile. I started with a more pointed blade and it did indeed get caught up in the wood. The thumbnail also tracks the grain less.