|
The Hamilton Marking Gauge
|
We like the Hamilton Marking Gauge, not simply because it's made in Tontitown, Arkansas, but because we think it is an accurate and versatile tool for marking hard-to-reach and tight spots. There are some unique features worth mentioning:
|  |
- Sturdy cutter on end of bar allows close marks,
- Half-round fingernail grind pulls fence tight against work piece,
- Long fence for better support during entire mark,
- Cutter is precision ground and tool is ready to use out of the box,
- Two sizes to fit your hand.
Using the Gauge
Click on the pictures below for a larger size image
|
|
The best grip for the Hamilton Marking Gauge is to pick it up with your thumb and forefinger near the marking head and place your middle finger against the bevel and your ring finger against the curve of the fence. This balances the the gauge between the three fingers and the thumb.
|
|
|
|
Setting the depth of your mark is quite easy. Snug-up the set screw and move the depth arm to just slightly less than your desired depth. Then tap lightly on the back end of the depth bar and check the measurement. When it is where you want it, tighten down the set screw.
|
 |  |
|
Scoring the line is done by setting the fence squarely against the edge of the wood. Press the marking knife firmly against the wood. Draw the gauge to you in a smooth motion. An edge mark is done in the same manner. The blade of the gauge produces an even mark which is slightly beveled on one side. This makes it easier to set a chisel or dovetail and still maintain a square finished edge.
|
|
|
|
So what's the big deal? The Hamilton Marking Gauge can mark in situations where other gauges simply can't fit because of their design. In the situation below, the traditional and wheel designs can't touch the surface of the wood if you are marking for a half-blind dovetail or a drawer lock.
|
|
|
|
Good design for the work to be done is what sets the Hamilton Marking Gauge apart from the traditional and wheel designs. The bulky head piece of a traditional marking gauge and the recessed needlepoint awl limits its utility in many situations. The wheel design solves part of that, but has a narrow and unstable surface which can skew the accuracy of the mark.
|
|
|
|
Hope you found this useful and informative. Next month we'll have some pictures of our current shop project: Upgrading Workbenches. We bought these for a song, sadly, when a local school district closed its shop program. But like all bargains it comes with a bit of work. A staring role in this production is the simple scraper.
Dante
Here are some links to our site for items in the pictures above:
|
