I love making tools for myself, and one of my favorite tools to make is a marking gauge. Now that I have all the marking gauges I need, I have started to make them for other people. I made the two gauges you see here from black cherry and spalted pecan, both of which were cut right here in Mobile County, Alabama. If you want one, please e-mail me at lastwordsmith@gmail.com. PayPal is the preferred payment, unless you live close enough that you can pick it up in person (in which case, nix the shipping charges).
Scroll all the way to the bottom for the full product description.
Edit: The small gauge is still available.
Marking Gauge: Regular Size, $40.00 +shipping **SOLD**
Overall dimensions: the arm is 7″ long and about 5/8″ square. The fence is 2 1/2″ wide (at the widest point), 2 1/2″ tall, and 1 1/4″ thick.
Marking Gauge: Small, $40.00 +shipping
Overall dimensions: the arm is 6″ long and about 9/16″ square. The fence is 2 3/8″ wide (at the widest point), 2 1/8″ tall, and 1 1/4″ thick.
Product Details
Each gauge is made from black cherry, and the fence is faced with spalted pecan. The bell-shaped profile of the fence gives you a convenient place to rest your index finger and thumb. The profile also offers a wider bearing surface than most other gauges without making the fence too big to wrap your hand around.
The arm locks securely with a sliding dowel mechanism, which is operated with one hand. Press the button on one side firmly and the arm locks; press the other one and it unlocks. (Tap the button on the bench for extra locking power; tap the other end to release.) There is no side-to-side play in the arm. At first, the arm will require some pressure to slide in and out, but this will become easier with repeated use.
The pin is made from hardened steel and sharpened to a rounded spear-point, so it cuts in either direction. While a pin-style gauge works best with the grain, this gauge will also mark across the grain if used with light pressure. As you resharpen the pin, you can tap it down from the top.
Finish is only paste-wax rubbed out to a light sheen.
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