As I move towards doing more wood working with hand tools I keep coming across tasks that necessitate a new tool (Who am I kidding? I'll use any excuse to make or buy a new tool). This was the case recently when I was making the sides of a small cabinet. Normally, I would set the table saw and just rip them. To do the same with a hand saw I first needed to mark a line parallel to the side I had just planed straight. The tool for this task is a panel gauge. Panel gauges are just an oversized marking gauge with an arm that extends out much further than you'd ever need for doing basic joinery.
I have to digress a bit here. My wife likes shoes. I don't understand why anyone needs that many pairs of shoes, but I've stopped trying to figure it out. I like marking gauges. Just like shoes they all have the same basic function, and yet come in so many different styles, shapes and sizes. Even though I have a drawer full, and rarely use more than 2-3 at any given time, I find myself drawn to these simple tools. I buy them. I make them. I enjoy using them. I've stopped trying to figure it out. To that end I've wanted to make a panel gauge for some time. The afore mentioned project finally prompted me to take action.
After some time searching on the internet I came across the rather unusual design you see in the pictures below. Some of the things I like about the design are:
I have to digress a bit here. My wife likes shoes. I don't understand why anyone needs that many pairs of shoes, but I've stopped trying to figure it out. I like marking gauges. Just like shoes they all have the same basic function, and yet come in so many different styles, shapes and sizes. Even though I have a drawer full, and rarely use more than 2-3 at any given time, I find myself drawn to these simple tools. I buy them. I make them. I enjoy using them. I've stopped trying to figure it out. To that end I've wanted to make a panel gauge for some time. The afore mentioned project finally prompted me to take action.
After some time searching on the internet I came across the rather unusual design you see in the pictures below. Some of the things I like about the design are:
- Easy to adjust and locks firmly in place with a simple knob.
- Has a knife on one end for very precise marks and a pencil mounted on the other end. Just unscrew the knob and reverse the arm to switch from one to the other.
- Easy to hold with an extra wide fence to keep it parallel to the finished edge as you mark.
- It looks cool.