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Sharpen Mortise gauge?

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Sharpen Mortise gauge?

#1

Sharpen Mortise gauge?

Sanford Levy

>Hi folks. I am just learning to cut mortise and tenons by hand and have a gauge question. I bought a mortise gauge from Lee Valley (about $40 I think) and the pins on it are very dull. They gouge rather than cut. This means they sometimes they follow grain rather than cutting through the grain and they do a very bad job on the end grain for the tenons. I have read different things about this. One source said they should not be sharpened and another said they should be sharpened on the inside. I would greatly appreciate advice! I did a search on the group and did not find much. Sanford

Re: Sharpen Mortise gauge?

#2

Re: Sharpen Mortise gauge?

David Miller from Iowa

>Try tilting it so the marking pins trail back and hold the fence tight to the board - shouldn't track with the grain. OK to touch them up a bit if needed.

Re: Sharpen Mortise gauge?

#3

Re: Sharpen Mortise gauge?

Dennis Mcdonaugh

>Since the fence and both pins are moveable I can't see why not. Whatever you decide, good luck. I tried to sharpen a pin on one of mine and couldn't even scratch it with a file. I think you have to hone it with a diamond stone or something similar.

Re: Sharpen Mortise gauge?

#4

Re: Sharpen Mortise gauge?

Todd Stock

>The pins on my guages are filed to fine blade-like sections, A cheap diamond hone works. In cross-section, they look like an elongated cats eye, and are about 3/32 to 1/8 inch long (both same length.

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