marking gauge wheel

[tvrgeek]

How sharp should a marking gauge wheel be? I got what LOOKS like a nie one, but as with Ch-ind tools the wheel is dull as can be so it barely dents a board.

Before I spend too much time, it should be sharp, right? Or do I just buy wheels from Cosman?

 

[Scott H]

I got one that came dull also (I believe it was an iGaging wheel marking gauge.) In fact I would call it beyond dull, the edge had a flat on it at least 1/64" or more. I did end up sharpening it and it worked a LOT better, much cleaner line, etc. I since received a Veritas one as a gift and they come sharp. I don't think they have to be extremely sharp, they are probably a lot duller than a lot of my chisels and planes and sharpened way less often, but some kind of edge on them will help a lot.

I think once you get them sharp, to resharpen later you just need to put the wheel flat-side down on a fine stone and rub it in circles for a while. My first one was so out of whack I think I had to make a jig to spin it in a drill and stone the bevel until the flat went away.

 

[jlimey]

How sharp should a marking gauge wheel be? I got what LOOKS like a nie one, but as with Ch-ind tools the wheel is dull as can be so it barely dents a board.

Before I spend too much time, it should be sharp, right? Or do I just buy wheels from Cosman?

Hi Steve,

It should be sharp enough to cut a clean line across the grain of whatever you are marking. If it is tearing fibers, it is not doing its job. If it requires a lot of pressure, it also is not sharp enough to maintain the control to do its job.

 

[tvrgeek]

Thanks. Kind of what I thought.

Got it pretty good on a 325 stone. Probably could do a little more but it is much improved. Guess that is the difference between a $25 Amazon and a Veritas. If I bet bored, I will go further.

 

[Graywolf]

Thanks. Kind of what I thought.

Got it pretty good on a 325 stone. Probably could do a little more but it is much improved. Guess that is the difference between a $25 Amazon and a Veritas. If I bet bored, I will go further.

This is truly where you get what you pay for. fortunately sharping is easy.

 

[tvrgeek]

Well, you don't always get if when you pay for it, but if you don't pay for it, you won't get it.