Wheel gauges are the latest and greatest type of marking gauge to come out, and this model from the trusted American brand Woodcraft is a fantastic choice. Gauge #2091. This Rosewood Cutting gauge with Boxwood screw was only listed in 1909 and was closely related to Item# 2092 [below]. Ultimately, while they make great collection pieces and give great results, there’s no reason to favor a Japanese marking gauge over a western one. Personal preference will play a big part here, but don’t expect any miracles either way. Can I use the same gauges for metalworking?

Below you will find a table depicting the availability of MARPLES Gauges plotted against time up to 1965. After that time I have just included further notes. If the head has slot screws to the top head brass ‘fancy’ insert, the head will be 2.5/8″ long x 2.1/4″ wide}. A cutting gauge is a marking gauge with a knife instead of a pin. Basically, the theory behind this distinction is that cutting across grain with a knife is better than using a pin. A panel gauge is basically a long marking gauge with a beam that can go from a foot to several feet long, depending on the application. Which of the following cutting tools is used for cutting wood? There are three main types of marking gauges that we’ll talk about in this guide: conventional marking gauges, cutting gauges, and wheel marking gauges. For simplicity’s sake, I’m lumping mortise gauges and combination gauges in with tools that use the same cutting mechanism. By using a knife it can also cut through thin veneers. It is important that the knife tip is kept sharp to make an accurate marking.

Subtotal:

Gauge# 2052 Beechwood, Half Round polished Head, not plated and with a cream coloured Plastic Thumbscrew. This one below is from around 1960. Issued from the very beginning and until 1965+ Below are 3 examples of M2153 produced by RECORD/MARPLES showing a Brass plated Thumbturn screw, ‘Hardwood’ with brass slide and still in the original Plastic moulded boxes. The left one is the earlier because of the larger brass grip area on the sliding point arm. The one on the right is the latest, despite having again received a larger brass grip area. It has two brass panels down the front to protect both the tool and workpiece from scratching each other. They also often use a wooden wedge to hold the stem in place (although thumb screws are also common). These are adjusted by light taps of a mallet, which can take a while to master.

and available 1873-c.1909, this Rosewood based Combination gauge [shown above] is quite rare. It has a brass slide circular faced head secured by a brass screw. The under side has a ruled brass surface. . First of all, there’s no need to tilt the device or force it forward to mark your piece. Since it’s smooth and rounded, you don’t need to tilt the cutter like you do with an old-school pin model. Here below is a Rosewood, ‘plated’ with Brass Thumbscrew slide. Non-fancy Head. Still trying to identify it!!Green speed meter: Measure green speed using the standardized ball roll measurement method (USGA specification) Like many wheel gauges, the fence is completely round so there’s a danger of it rolling off your workbench. Consider filing a flat on one edge to prevent this. I think that this [below] example of M2050 is slightly after 1971. At that time the plastic thumbscrews had been replaced by Round pot metal [brass finished] knurled screws: