No, this isn’t a woodworking marking gauge – it’s for marking metal! The Starrett 29B graduated scratch gauge is the only tool of its kind that I remember seeing, but there might be others. This looks like a woodworking gauge, but it features a hardened steel head and tempered steel square scribe for maximum durability and metalworking applications.
The Starrett gauge is used in a similar manner as a woodworking marking gauge. Adjust the gauge depth along the steel bag, and glide the round head along a workpiece to leave a mark parallel to the edge.
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The gauge is 6-inch long and has 1/64″ markings along the entire length. Fine adjustments can be made by slightly rotating the guide wheel.
You could use this for woodworking applications as well, but dedicated woodworking wheel marking gauges are considerably less expensive.
I sometimes use carbide calipers for parallel metal-marking applications, but this looks like it could be a great alternative.
The marking gauge comes with a square scribe that could be rotated to give 4 fresh scratch points. Starrett doesn’t have a part number for the scribe, which means replacements probably aren’t available, but it might be possible to sharpen yourself should you ever dull all four points.
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It looks like Lee Valley has the best pricing on this right now.
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mike
In all my years in metal working ive never seen one of these,I think Stu found my next toy 🙂
I can think of some nice uses around the shop for this.
Thank you sir.
Peter Fox
Otherwise if you want a simmer tool in a more affordable price range General makes one. http://www.generaltools.com/820–Marking-Gage-Metal-Single-Bar_p_617.html.
It used to be make in the USA but it is now China. but still good enough.
And Stanley used to make one almost identical to the general, mine is marked “no 90”
Very handy tools for layout of metal parts and sheet-metal work.
Stuart
That General Tools one is designed for use on wood and other softer-than-metal materials. Probably wouldn’t hold up well for marking metals like steel or maybe even aluminum.
Peter Fox
They work and hold up fine on anything up to normal mild steel. The points are replaceable if needed but I have yet to dull mine.
I doubt you could wear it out on aluminum unless you were using it in a production environment.
My first experience with this type of marking gauge (probably the Stanley model) was in my Jr high school metal shop class. We also had them in our high school metal shop as well. It took me more than a few years to find one after high school as they are not very common. I have never seen one in a hardware store.
Joel
It’s nice to see a marking gauge made for steel workers although this would be much better for marking round tube and large radius square tube if the face was larger.
Jim Metzger
I have been using one of these for 10+ years on wood. Scribe is still wicked sharp. Feels great in the hand, I find it much easier to use than a traditional wood and brass scribe.
KL
Benoit sheetmetal used to sell one like this, but it was spendy. These are ridiculously useful for layout!
KL
Ok, here’s the Benoit and the double feature is really useful for two common scribe lines on a given project
http://www.benoitsheetmetal.com/62006/Benoit-88-Double-Butt-Gauge.html
KL
So the Benoit gauge is $60, seems like a better value than this Starrett.