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MEASURING TOOLS
Click the arrow under the image for more information about the measuring and marking tools shown.
Click the image to access the YouTube link for each tool.
Steel rule
Steel rule
Steel rules are used when measurements must be accurate. The increments start at the zero end, which enables gauge setting and allows you to measure accurately from a corner or surface.
Tape measure
Tape measure
The tape measure is used to measure longer material sizes.
outside calipers
outside calipers
Outside calipers are used to check the outside diameter of cylindrical objects. An example where you may use outside calipers is after you have parallel turned your wood down on a wood lathe.
TRY-SQUARE
A try-square is used to check and mark right angles on wood.
MARKING KNIFE
Where lines are required across the grain you can use a marking knife to score the fibres of the wood. Although using a knife is more accurate than using a pencil, care should be taken as a score mark made by a marking knife is not easily removed if a mistake is made.
(a knife score must be made along a suitable straight edge, usually a try square)
SLIDING BEVEL
The sliding bevel allows you to set any angles from 0-180°. They are commonly used to mark out dovetail or mitre joints.
DOVETAIL TEMPLATE
A dovetail joint is a very complex joint to make which can take a long time to mark out. It is not uncommon to use a template. Not only to mark out the dovetail joint, the chance of making and error while marking out the repetitive pattern of the dovetail joint will be reduced.
MARKING GAUGE
A marking gauge is used to mark a line parallel to an edge or side along the grain of a piece of wood. Lines parallel to an edge are useful when you want to cut material to a certain depth or width.
The marking gauge is made up of 4 main parts, the stem, stock, spur and thumbscrew. To set the distance between the moveable stock and the fixed spur, which is attached to the stem, you adjust the thumbscew.
MORTISE GAUGE
The mortise gauge is similar to a marking gauge but it has two spurs, one which is fixed to the stem and the other which is adjustable. A mortise gauge is used to mark out two parallel lines which are set for the desired thickness of mortises and tenons.
CUTTING GAUGE
Again, the cutting gauge is similar to the marking gauge but it has a knife blade fixed to the stem instead of a spur. A cutting gauge is used to cut across the grain parallel to the end of a piece of wood which will make it easier and neater to cut across with a saw.
THINGS TO DO AND THINK ABOUT
Why is it important to take dimensions from a datum edge?
To what tolerance must your marking out be to ensure you achieve a pass at National 5?
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