How To Use A Marking Gauge

Today, I'm going to show you how to use a marking gauge, great bit of kit, very, very important carpentry tool. Again, what we have here is a nut that tightens and un-tightens, so this can move up and down the marking gauge and here we have a sharp point which is what we use to scribe the wood, set to the desired length. In order to set the marking gauge to the desired length, we're going to use a tape measure, for demonstration purposes, were going to use, I would say 30mm, would be a good scribe for this.

So, as you can see using the tape measure, 10, 20, 30, 30mm. So what I will do is put the tape measure, back of the tape measure, to the back of the marking gauge and then set the marking spike to 30. Then what I will do is tighten the marking gauge, check it again to make sure, always double check your dimensions.

The back edge of this marking gauge to the point is exactly 30mm. Now, for this piece of wood for instance, I'm going to scribe this piece of wood with this marking gauge. As you can see, this spike here, is the scribing spike, and what I will do is put the back of the marking gauge onto the piece of wood like so.

And I tilt it, like that, keeping my hand on the wood, hand on the marking gauge and scribe down like so, and again. And, as you can see what that has done is given me a scribed line. The marking gauge is used for all kinds of applications in carpentry, but it's a very accurate tool and it's got good adjustment, like so.

Remember when you finish using a marking gauge, remember to make sure the back of the marking gauge is pushed up towards the spike, because you don't want that spike damaged. Because that is our scribing spike. I'm going to put it back in the tool box like so.

And that is how to use a marking gauge. I hope you found today helpful on the different techniques and methods of using certain tools for different DIY projects. If you would like more information, please visit my website. .