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Shop-Made Marking Gauges Simplify Layout

Fine Woodworking Editors, 

19 users recommend

When it comes to joinery layout, you can't beat these simple, accurate, homemade marking gauges.

Photo: Ed Pirnik

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While conventional marking gauges are excellent tools for joinery work, constantly having to re-set your tools for various measurements can be finnicky. If you find your self using conventional workpiece dimensions like 1/2-in. and 3/4-in. stock repeatedly, consider these simple homemade marking gauges.

Furniture maker Greg Paolini has various gauges pre-made for different off-set marks. They're accurate, quick-to-make, and easy to use.

Build Your Own Set of Simple Marking Gauges
A few shop scraps yield an entire set in only minutes. 

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Comments (9)

evandene writes: Very interesting, thanks Greg.

By the way, ... funny to read the Babelonic conversation between some guys.
Work safe and have a great one,
Ed
Posted: 7:37 pm on September 5th

KirkG writes: Since these devices are used not only for marking and positioning, whether or not they are used on a machine, they will still help you have consistent results, which will improve your accuracy.

Great idea, neat method and I will make some for my shop.
Posted: 10:03 am on September 3rd

bobcanfixit1 writes: I`ll stay with my cutting gauges that I make. I use the breakaway heavy duty blades for the cutting. I have so many I leave a setting on as many as I need for the project. Accuracy is what it`s all about.
Posted: 9:42 pm on July 18th

illron writes: Marking parts is extremely valuable for several reasons beyond basic machine set up. I agree, if using machines to cut your joints you need repeatable methods for that, but laying out pieces accurately is vital for cutting joints by hand and making sure you cut everything correctly when you go to machines. Without proper layout it is easy to cut on the wrong side of a line or wrong end of a board when running through parts in a hurry on a machine.
Posted: 2:38 pm on June 20th

doug4670 writes: What is the point? If you are cutting tenons or joints of any size or shape what you want is something that can set your tablesaw or router fence to cut them to the right size; marking the stock is not going to achieve repeatability. If you use these gauges to mark out the stock then you need to use these markings to set the depth of cut on the tool. If you want repeatable accuracy you wont get it this way.
Posted: 7:16 am on June 19th

grandpa48 writes: The last two comments are not true. He is using the one inch piece two put against the fence as long as he has the overhanging piece's back edge away from the back edge of the one inch piece when he glues it up he will have a strait edge on both sides.
Posted: 11:37 am on June 18th

bricofleur writes: I like the idea. This is a great time saver. I'll make a bunch of them according to my needs. Thanks.
Best,
Serge
Posted: 11:03 am on June 18th

jbholz writes: @Luis -- Not true. You could attach the blade to the body at any angle, and it wouldn't matter because the blade overhang is referenced to the back edge of the body and the body dimensions are constant; therefore the blade overhang is constant. Make one, you'll see for yourself. JBH
Posted: 5:14 am on June 18th

discusion writes: Thank you Greg.
One observation: you are gluing the parts "by eye". As a result there is not warranty that the intended interior space between the 3/4 plywood and the edge of the marking gauge is accurate in their entire length. Regardless that you cut the exterior part of 3/4" ply parallel to the exterior part of the 1/4" marking gauge chances are that you carry on with a milimeter or two when the gluing is by eye.
Kind regards,
Luis
Posted: 5:42 pm on June 17th

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