Replies

1. 
   SCFrankland | Oct 12, 2004 03:37pm | #1

   Sorby makes one if you want or copy the idea and make your own.

   The link below is for Lee Valley which sells them.

   http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=20257&category=1,330,49237&abspage=1&ccurrency=1&SID=

   Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website

   "He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."

1. 
   DennisS | Oct 13, 2004 09:04am | #5

   Jeezzz 33+ bux for that thing??!!

   I use a cheap metal vernier caliber. Hold it lightly agains the tenon with one hand and the parting tool in the other. Stand clear of the "firing line".

   ...........

   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.

   Dennis

2. 
   Clay | Oct 13, 2004 01:27am | #2

   Mike I have the metal one (I think it's Sorby's).  I find that calipers are more accurate though.  Quicker too.  I like to stop the lathe and do a final check with my dial calipers for more precise fittings.  I like to use a 3/8" beading-parting tool for making my tenons and I put a burr on it with a burnisher ... like you would on a card scraper.  It cuts a little slower that way but doesn't catch and gives a quite smooth tenon.  The finer bites that it takes this way allow a more accurate sizing.  I like to turn the tenons just a tad oversize (if they are to be glued in) and then I will take a pair of channellocks and squeeze them down to size.  When I glue them up they expand like a biscuit and never come loose.

3. 
   jako17 | Oct 13, 2004 05:20am | #3

   I too own the sorby gate guage but never use  it .I have found that in a production situation it is cumbersome.I use outside calipers with the tips rounded in one hand and parting tool in the other.Then a skew, final measurement with vernier.Never stopping the lathe.For most spindle turning I do not stop the lathe to mount or remove the blank unless it is too large diameter to hold safely.

1. 
   Telemike | Oct 13, 2004 08:09am | #4

   Thanks guys for the info. It's clear and unanimous that I should develop better skew and caliper skills rather than relying on a fancy tool. To the shop and the next spigot!