Dovetail layout tool

Re: Dovetail layout tool

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Hi Mike,I like that.I have issues with all the store bought versions available.Could you give a few more details on how that is put together?---thanks---Jack

Re: Dovetail layout tool

Mike in Sac

>Jack,

You need two pieces of 1/8 inch sheet metal. One forms the blade, and for this tool is about 1 1/2 inches by 2 inches. The other piece forms the shoulder and is about 1 1/2 inches by about 5/8 inch. The shoulders are about 1/4 inch wide each. Dimensions are up to you, though.

Scratch layout onto sheets and cut just on waste sides of lines. One leg of the blade is square to the shoulder and the other is at the selected dovetail slope (7:1 in this case). I cut out inside of blade with carbide grit rod in hacksaw frame. Refine to lines with files.

For the shoulder piece, you need to cut slots in either end to slip around blade. I used carbide grit rod, which left kerf just a little less than 1/8 inch. Widen and shape with a flat thin hobby file.

If the shoulder piece won't fit through hole in blade (it would not for mine), file a knotch in the corner of the blade opening till it just fits through. Even if the slots are exactly the right size, the shoulder piece won't rotate into position unless you relieve the top side of one of the slot ends so it isn't square to the shoulder piece surface.

Apply flux to surfaces to be soldered. Set shoulder piece into blade, adjust to square in both directions, wire to hold, and solder.

Glue small pieces of wood onto tool for handle (polyurethane or epoxy). Sand to even everything up. Make sure intended square surfaces and edges are square. Polish and spray with lacquer.

I have a more detailed write up with more pictures, but I don't know how to post.

Nice looking marking gauge

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Look very nice Mike. All though I've never seen green cocobolo before. ;^)

e-mail it to articles

Dan Donaldson

>Send it to articles@woodcentral.com and we can format it for you and immortalize you in the articles section of the site;-)

This looks like it would make a nice article.

Re: Dovetail layout tool

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Thanks Mike and ditto on the article. That is a handy tool that I think others will like to make.---Jack

Re: Nice looking marking gauge

Mike in Sac

>Scott,

I tried to brighten photo with computer. Never know what color you'll get. I don't even know what color I got: I'm red/green color blind. Sorry.

Mike

Re: Dovetail layout tool

dave jeske

>Very nice! I made one very similar using "Formica" as the blade and two pieces of cocobolo for scales. It was really a prototype to see how I liked using it. I may decide to make them as part of my line of marking tools though I wouldn't use formica (G). I agree, this style is much easier to use than a large sliding bevel.

Dave

Re: e-mail it to articles

Mike in Sac

>Dan,

Sent article as requested. Hope it is OK.

Mike

Re: Dovetail layout tool

Erik S. Friis, wish I was in Dodge!

>Hi, Beautiful job!! How did you engrave that nice #7 in the brass? I might be interested in purchasing a few different angles if you feel like making a few more. Let me know.

Re: Dovetail layout tool

Mike in Sac

>Thanks, Eric. I just stamped the 7. Brass is pretty easy to work.