Marking Gauge Pins

1/16" drill bit works for me

Ed Mulligan, Cape Cod

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Haven't tried this myself

Bill Houghton, the rain man cometh, Sebastopol, CA

>Years ago - YEARS - there was a tip in Fine Woodworking (back when it was, in fact, fine - but I digress) in which someone made what amounted to a dedicated scratch gauge with bits, each of which was coved out to make a bead the width of one of his mortise chisels. This has been on my to-do list now for about three years.

Re: Marking Gauge Pins

Dean J in MN

>The drill bit suggestion is a fine one. I use drill bits for my marking gauges; however, you may find a softer pin a bit eaiser to fine tune for a mortise gauge. No matter how careful I am laying out the two pins I find the need to tweak the pin spacing with a file (or stone). So, a few cut brads may be a better choice for mortise gauges. Unless you are making non-fixed pin gauges, in which case either nails ore drill bits are fine.

Small roll pin, filed to a knife edge.

Tony Sade (Charleston, WV)

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Re: Marking Gauge Pins

Jim Crammond in Monroe Michigan

>Hi John,

McMaster-Carr (or any industrial supply) carries drill rod or drill blanks in various diameters and tool steel types. I checked on 1/16" and a 36" piece was $1.20, probably less than the minimum order. I would think you could find something appropriate locally at a tool and die supply or machine tool supply company.

Jim

Re: Marking Gauge Pins

r payne

>Check local hobby shops. They often carry steel wire in various sizes for model makers.

ron