Different Types of Gauges and its Various Uses
Depth Gauge
Size: Up To 375mm
Material: Steel
Use: To measure the depth of holes and mortises
A depth gauge is a graduated rule with a sliding head which has a machined flat base. The flat base is placed on the surface of the workpiece, the rule adjusted to touch the bottom of the recess, and locked by a clamping screw. Remove the gauge and read off the measurement from the rule.
Wire Gauge
Size: To measure standard, Metric 0.2mm to 10mm
Material: Steel
Use: To measure the gauge of wire and thickness of sheet metal
The wire gauge is a template which is used to measure the gauge or thickness of sheet metal or wire. Around the edge are graduated, numbered slots which fit wire or sheet metal. The metal or wire is tried in the various slots until it just fits without being forced.
Feeler Gauge
Size: To measure 3mm to 100mm in 0.001mm
Material: Steel
Use: To measure very fine gaps
A feeler gauge has a number of thin metal blades of various thickness that fan out from a steel case, which protects them from damage when not in use. Each blade is marked with its thickness. The blades are used to measure small gaps, such as between a shaft and its bearing or between electrical contracts.
Screw Pitch Gauge
Size: To fit a range of threads
Material: Steel
Use: To measure the pitch of a machined thread
Like the feeler gauge, the screw pitch gauge consists of a series of metal blades in a metal case. The edge of each blade is notched to match the shape and spacing of a range of threads cut in bolts or holes.
Marking Gauge
Size: 162mm to 217mm
Material: Hardwood or Steel
Use: To mark a line parallel to an edge
A marking gauge is a beam of hardwood or steel upon which slides a stock, that acts as a fence to guide a pointed pin a set distance from the edge of a workpiece. The steel pin is permanently fixed near one end of the beam and projects approximately one 1mm from the underside. The stock is fixed in the required position by a thumb screw on one side. The guide face of the stock can be reinforced with brass facing strips let in flush with the surface. Sometimes the beam is graduated for setting the stock, the required distance from the pin. If it is not, simply use a steel rule.
Cutting Gauge
Size: 237mm
Material: Hardwood
Use: To mark a line parallel to an edge across the grain of timber
The cutting gauge is constructed and operated in exactly the same way as the marking gauge, but instead of the pointed pin, it has a flat blade secured with a small wedge. This is designed to cut across the grain of timber to mark a line where a standard marking gauge would tend to tear the grain. The blade must be periodically removed and honed to a sharp edge.
Mortice Gauge
Size: 237mm
Material: Hardwood
Use: To mark two parallel sides of mortice and tenon
The mortice gauge, like the marking gauge, has a beam and an adjustable stock. However, it has two pins to mark both sides of a mortice simultaneously. One pin is fixed and the other is attached to an adjustable slide. One some tools this is a simple pull slide, on others it may be adjusted by a thumb screw mounted at the end of the beam. Most mortice gauges have another pin mounted on the underside of the beam so that they can be used and as a standard marking gauge.
Leather Creaser
Size: 200mm
Material: Handle- Hardwood, Blade- Steel
Use: To mark a line on leather
A leather crease has a blade with a blunt edge which is used to mark a dark line on leather as a decorative motif. The creaser is often used cold, but if heated produces a darker line. A tool with a simple blade is known as a "Single Creaser" while, a "Double Creaser" has two parallel edges.
Double Creaser
Single Creaser
Screw Creaser
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
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