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My toddlers have these jumbo pencils that make it easy on little developing hands to hold and write. As I watched them, it came to me how uncomfortable my tite mark gauge was on my figers. It feels awkward trying to mark boards because the stem is so thin and the round knife is hard to keep sharp. I guess I have hands that are too rough and not well tuned for my slim and fancy gauge.



So I thought I would make me one that had more heft to it and that would slice through the wood without much effort on my digits. I started with Morado wood which looks beautiful but it smells awful when you cut into it, some offcuts of purple heart and some brass. I learned many things putting it together, because I had to cut and modify the brass and other hardware to fit. I learned to use a tap and die tool along the way.

I failed to keep it simple and I had to fix quite a bit of issues during construction. So the craftsmanship is not the best. I started about a month ago and it came together rather quickly but then I began enhancing the hardware to make it look better and to make it actually work. Finally today after tha latest adjustments it worked just right. it is a pleasure to use and it is very accurate. I hardly look at the cuts anymore because it is so easy to feel and just slice right through the top of a board.

Sorry about the dusty pictures but it is getting good use already. It has tung oil for a finish.

All the best

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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535 Posts
very cool gauge
well done
 

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17 Posts
Congratulation on the beautiful Marking Gage!
 

· In Loving Memory
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3,873 Posts
Very cool!

I'll take your little slim one if you don't want it.
 

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Thanks for the positive comments. Gary, I am already thinking about a retrofit project to use the tite mark in a heftier wooden frame and still be able to have the micro adjust functionality which is really cool. But thanks!

I just saw your all's projects and I was floored!
 

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7,027 Posts
nice work on the gauge :)
and there is nothing like using homemade tools

take care
Dennis
 

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1,487 Posts
very nice gauge, what did you use for the blade?
 

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Thanks Dennis and Ike. I used an exacto knife type blade replacement I found in the local hardware store.
 

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6,114 Posts
I think you did a fine job on that gauge, I bet you it will be your favorite.
What blade did you use?
Best thoughts,
Mads
 

· In Loving Memory
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5,826 Posts
That's a very nice gauge and you did a very good job on it.
 

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121 Posts
Hi

Nice looking gauge - obviously a good performer

Don
 

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Thanks again guys

Mads

I used a replacement blade for a utility knife like the exacto brand. They come in little packs of 2 to 100. They are so cheap you don't really need to sharpen although I will.



If you google exacto knife blades you can find a plethora of shapes and sizes that lend themselves well.

best
 

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Merci.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 

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135 Posts
UUHH, Should'nt brass strip on beam be under the lock screw?

Really I like the massive gauge, U need panel gauge to match….....
 
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