A marking gauge is the most common type of woodworking marking out gauge. It uses a spur, which is a tiny, sharp pointed object much like a pin, to mark out lines for cutting when dragged across wood. While a marking out gauge is typically used for mostly wood surfaces, it can also be used to mark metal surfaces such as sheet metal prior to cutting.
Its earliest forms are pretty simple. They’re usually just two pieces of wood attached together in such a way that the pin remains parallel to the edge. One piece is the stem, and the handle is a part of that. The other is called a fence and it is what would be pressed onto the edge. The thumb screw is a mechanism that lets you adjust the position of the fence along the stem and keeps the two pieces secured in a particular position.
The design ensures that dragging the tool across results in a thin straight line marked into the wood’s surface. Modern features have more functionality such as a scale or a ruler so that you can mark out specific measurements. Nonetheless, the primary function remains.
There are five types of marking out gauges gauge for woodworking which include marking gauges, mortise gauges, cutting gauges, wheel gauges, and panel gauges.
Whatever it is you are using, these gauges are used in basically the same way.
- Prep the workpiece and your tool.
This merely means setting the piece of wood you intend to work with on a flat surface, and then setting the marking gauge at the edge. Consider where you want to draw the cut lines because the spur should be dragged in a parallel direction.
- Set fence measurement
This is of course applicable to modern versions. Release the fence and stem by turning the thumb screw counter clockwise. Next, keep moving the fence along the stem until it reaches the position for the measurement you intend to mark. Then, butt the fence up until the edge of the workpiece. Secure the position by turning the thumb screw.
- Mark out lines
Cup your hand around the fence and then tilt it ever so slightly toward the direction you want to mark. You can now drag the fence across the workpiece until a little before the end. You need to stop before the very end to maintain control. Otherwise, your tool could end up dropping or causing damage. If you want to mark until the very end, just start from the end and then tilt the gauge toward you.
Don’t apply too much pressure. Just make sure that the fence is butted up against the edge of the wood during the entire process of marking the cut line. If you need to mark lines on the other sides, just turn the workpiece over and repeat this step.
Keep in mind that a light mark is better than a dark mark. If you can’t see the line very well, you can use run a pencil in the grove for more definition.
Finally, remember that a marking gauge should only be used to create cut lines that run with the wood grain. Using it against the grain will produce a jagged line and result to inaccuracies. In such case, use a cutting gauge instead.
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