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Traditional woodworking marking gauges have a large, flat piece of wood, called a fence or stock, that’s intersected by a long square rod, called a stem or beam. These lines are used as a reference for other tasks, enabling precise cuts when resawing or tight-fitting joinery that will stand the test of time. Also, the thumbscrews and micro-adjustment knob can be clumsy for beginners.īuy this marking gauge if you want to try out a wheel gauge but don’t want to spend a lot of money.Ĭheck pricing What is a marking gauge? Standard marking gaugeĪ marking gauge is a simple tool used to scribe one or two parallel lines onto a piece of wood (or sometimes, metal). However, this model is made with slightly less precision, meaning that the stem is a bit loose in the fence. You will still want to give the cutting ring a quick honing before use, but the two additional blades will cover daily use for a decade without further purchases. It also has a micro-adjustment knob so it’s easy to get the perfect setting, even as a beginner. There are two flats in the fence to prevent it from rolling, solving a problem that even expensive models suffer from. The Clarke Brothers Wheel Marking Gauge kit includes an excellent single-wheel gauge and two replacement blades.ĭespite the affordable price, the gauge itself has some excellent bonus features. The final entry on our list of the best marking gauges is yet another wheel gauge, but this time at a much more affordable price. There are no replacement blades in the box. The cutting wheel can be sharpened, but eventually you will need to buy a replacement, which runs roughly $5. Consider filing a flat on one edge to prevent this. Like many wheel gauges, the fence is completely round so there’s a danger of it rolling off your workbench. I wouldn’t completely trust the accuracy of these measurements, but it can do in a pinch. The stem features both imperial and metric measurements, making it a passable alternative to a depth gauge. Combined with its hefty weight, it’s an incredibly satisfying tool to use.
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It features a solid brass and stainless steel build, with a bubinga fence accent that feels amazing in the hand. What sets this one apart is a touch of luxury. Like all of the best marking gauges, it holds its setting firmly and cuts a clean line. 2010.Wheel gauges are the latest and greatest type of marking gauge to come out, and this model from the trusted American brand Woodcraft is a fantastic choice. He formerly worked part-time at his local Lee Valley Tools store.įrid, Tage.
#Scribe in woodworking how to
Whichever way you see it, you’ll find a marking gauge an indispensable tool once you’ve learned how to use it.Ĭharles Mak, now in retirement, is an enthusiastic hobby woodworker, teacher, writer and tipster. Some believe that a woodworker is only as good as his or her scribing tool. Right: A sharp wheel cutter in a marking gauge can clean a shoulder accurately like a chisel It can be used for transferring the depth of a mortise to mark the tenon's length, as shown in the diagram. Finally, a wheel gauge is a useful transfer tool. Sometimes, I can clean a dovetail shoulder accurately with a marking gauge.
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With practice, you can split thin veneers into string inlay with a knife gauge. For instance, you can find the center of an edge by making marks from both sides of the stock and locating the middle when the marks meet. In addition to its function as a marking tool, you can use a marking gauge for many other tasks. The Marking Gauge Is Not Just for Gauging
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