Replies

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Feb 25, 2007 03:47am | #1

   All depends on what you want (new or old) and how much you want to spend.

   Ebay has plenty of old Stanleys and other makers. 

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   AdamCherubini | Feb 25, 2007 04:25am | #2

   I really like fixed pin mortise gauges. You can make these yourself pretty easily. My friend Dean wrote an article about making gauges (PW Dec 06) and it included plans for a very nice "french" gauge that uses a wedge. The advantage of the french gauge is that it can be adjusted and locked with one hand.

   Adam

1. 
   mwenz | Feb 26, 2007 06:59am | #6

   And to illustrate the one Dean Jansa made that Adam refered to...

   http://wenzloffandsons.com/temp/marking/seaton_gauge_0001.jpg

   http://wenzloffandsons.com/temp/marking/seaton_gauge_0003.jpg

   Not a mortise gauge in the sense of double-pin. Though it wouldn't take to much to redesign a tad for double pin. I would have to look up the article to see if Dean included a double-pin gauge in it.

   The article is well written. Clear instructions. The gauge is one of the best gauges in use I have had--and I have a couple TiteMarks as well.

   Pins can be shaped to steer less than an unshaped round pin. Too, they don't have to tear the wood.

   If you want a wheel gauge such as the TiteMark, the Lee Valley one is as good. Get the one without the scale on it. If you want a double wheel gauge, the TiteMark is it in the US. In England there is another option.

   Take care, Mike

3. 
   Lataxe | Feb 25, 2007 06:03pm | #3

   R,

   If you don't mind spending a bit, the titemark gauge and fixed-width mortising cutter pairs (Lie Nielsen sell them as a set of 4 - 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 & 1/2ins) are very, very good and inherently accurate.

   They are easy to set accurately too; and cut unerringly with no wander, no matter what the grain direction.

   The pin gauges are traditional but have the reputation of wandering or following with some grain directions. Also, they tear the fibres whereas the wheels of the titemark make a clean cut.  Still, our forefathers managed with the pinned thangs for a century or three.

   Lataxe

    

4. 
   WoodRivWW | Feb 26, 2007 03:14am | #4

   retire,
   I second what Lataxe said about the titemark. It's well engineered, finely adjustable and really does the job.

5. 
   BruceR | Feb 26, 2007 03:38am | #5

   Hi retire,

   I second the opinion of posters pushing Tite-Mark available through Lie-Nielsen website and others.  I bought several wood gauges from Marples, Crown and other makers years ago.  They're fine.  And, if you're inclined, you certainly can make your own.  But I have infinitely better luck marking with the so-called "pizza wheel" markers like Tite-Mark or Veritas.  I'd never go back, even though I don't think there's any handsomer tool than a really old rosewood and brass mortise gauge from any of a half dozen English makers made back when.

   Best,

   BruceR