When you want to create the most tight and best fitted furniture joints , you need the best possible marking and mortise gauges to do the job .
The well fit , tight and strong assembled furniture joint , is a first class proof , that the woodworker knows what he’s doing .
When you want to design a tight joint to connect two pieces of wood , or to design your furniture joints , you need to scribe the most accurate reference lines for the job .
In here you need the precious help of a marking gauge .
The mortise gauges , are the same as the marking gauges but they have two pins – markers instead of one and with them you design the shoulders of mortises in a mortise and tenon joint .
Is there something you should be aware off , concerning the marking gauges ?
Yes there is . Usually the marking pin the marking gauges have , cannot mark very accurate hard wood or across the grain wood . So it’s better to have gauges that have a cutter – sharp wheel for the job .
The same mentality applies to mortise gauges , too . In both cases , when you buy marking and mortise gauges , check that the screws aren’t broken and that the gauge is a solid – strong one and keeps the measurements well .
The wheel cutter gauges , are more suitable to mark all types of wood( hard or soft ) in all cases .
The first two marking gauges are the most popular and typical ones . They’re a single pin gauge and a single wheel one .
There’re very easy to use and you won’t have any issue with them .
The 8″ Shop Fox single wheel gauge .
This first and very common one for all is this 8″ single wheel gauge , having a very nice brass knob which holds your measures tight and for the price( less than 20$ ) , is super efficient .
It’s a basic piece and you can have it from Amazon in here .
No rust issues and no trembling – unstable mesuring issues in here .
The General Tools marking gauge 6 Inch , single pin .
This second basic gauge , you should have is another very nice tool from General tools . It’s nickel colored , but it combines nickel – steel – plastic in the appropriate places , in order to be solid , accurate and last in time .
It’s a heavy duty gauge , even if it’s not expensive , it’s around the 15$ .
The marking needle is extra strong and sharp and the measuring number are engraved to the bar for extreme precision.
This is is a cheap little “beast” for sure . Go to Amazon and buy it in here .
The Metallic Marker Pens Veritas Mortise Gauge .
This is a very nice mortise gauge , well made from good’s quality steel , very easy to use and adjusted by you . See it on Amazon here .
It’s a fine example of a well made woodworking tool , very easy to use carry and adjust , lightweight but very durable with a double shaft scriber for your mortises .
The VIGAN Adjustable Marking Gauge Mortise Gauge .
Another very nice alternative of the previous adjustable gauge is this VIGAN one . I’ve worked with this kind of gauge only a couple of times but i remember them very good .
I liked much their adjusting approach and how tight they hold the measures and you could attach many types of pencils to mark wood .
The quality of the aluminum is very good i order to hold tight your adjustments and not rust of course .
You can measure from 1mm to 145mm with precision and very easy . The number are clear enough . Except all it’s very beautiful also .
Make your checks and purchase it from Amazon here .
The Freneci Woodwork Brass Mortice & Marking Scribe Marking Gauge .
This is a very well made mortise gauge and even if it’s not a wheel gauge , it’s such a well made gauge , that it worths having it . Check its specs , price and buy it on Amazon .
It has a very strong and easy to adjust locking mechanism using a very nice brass bolt , that you won’t face any theme , in this area .
You can use it for both marking and a mortise gauge , because it has also a single pin in the reverse side .
It’s very weel made and the wood finish , gives a warmth sensation in your hands . The general gauge “construction” is very solid , strong and way above , the very cheap wood gauge solutions .
Of course if you like , you can file the pins to make it more as a wheel gauge , but i suggest you not to do that . It’s a very fine gauge , as it is and you won’t have any scribe issue .
If you want a complete view – list of the marking and mortise gauges , check this list on Amazon here .
Keep woodworking and absorb big amounts of happiness from it .