Popular Post baok Posted March 1, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 I've been admiring those neat dovetail marking gauges made by Sterling Toolworks but I'm afraid I balked at the price. So I made one using only my trusty hand tools. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Looks like a workable solution to me! I have made some fairly strange marking tools to layout odd shapes and angles before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Greg, it's just perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Pritchard Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Very cool. Why buy one, when you can make a perfectly serviceable one and have a little fun at the same time? Certainly where I am located, it would be quicker for me to make one than go buy one on a whim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I have seen them but don't know how they actually work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I have made those wrap around marking squares out of large angle aluminum from the hardware store. By adding a framing square stop (the ones used for laying out stair stringers) to a length of angle I made a wrap around marking gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baok Posted March 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Here's how they work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Here's how they work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk So it only marks the tails and you have to manually mark the pins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 You should only ever use any gauge to mark one component. Then cut that part out, and use the actual piece to transfer your marks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pghmyn Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 I made one awhile ago, but I didn't like the angle. Took all of 20 minutes to make with just my dovetail saw. Once I find an angle I like, this thing is worth it's weight in gold. Albeit a very light item Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryside Workshop Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Hmm, I need one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 I have the veritas ones and don't use them. I like this design better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Nice job on Greg. I have the real thing and I know it was expensive but I like to support small businesses whenever I can, especially small woodworking startups. Not to mention the Saddle-Tail is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. The tradeoff is one less nice dinner out with the family. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenaissanceWW Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Greg, I would recommend you cut the hollow on the "handle". I have one of Chris' saddle tails and I find that little hollow to be a game changer in how I hold it and a tactile feature to make using it even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baok Posted March 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Greg, I would recommend you cut the hollow on the "handle". I have one of Chris' saddle tails and I find that little hollow to be a game changer in how I hold it and a tactile feature to make using it even better. I guess I missed the hollow; I'll have to take a second look. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekcohen Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Here is a design for a dovetail marker that is very efficient (four angles 1:5 through 1:8) ... One side has the dovetail angle and the other a square. Made from brass angle. Regards from Perth Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 If there was an award for shop made tool bling you'd win it Derek! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mds2 Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 I've seen and drooled over the Sterling Toolworks marker, it looks beautiful. But, I have a question about marking dovetails. As of the first of the year I started teaching myself how to cut dovetails by hand. Initially I marked out the tails, like what is shown above, and then tried to saw next to that line. It worked ok, but it seemed to take a lot of extra time, with little reward. Then I watched Paul Sellers cut dovetails. He never marks the angle line of the tails, he just cuts. He keeps the saw tilted at whatever angle and goes down the line. I've started using that method with better results. Is there any reason to mark the angle of the tails? I'm asking as complete novice with this technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 It depends on the piece really. When you have cut as many DT's as Paul I think your body just knows where the right angle is. That said if you piece is more Krenov flavour then spacings and accuracy are paramount. You pays your money and takes your choices. "Mr Dovetail" Frank Klausz Is also someone who can just bosh out a DT with no fuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted March 6, 2014 Report Share Posted March 6, 2014 Very useful looking marker. My first one was made from scrap aluminum bar and scrap oak. I now have a nice one made for me in a swap. They are so easy to make I don't know why anyone would ever buy one except to rid themselves of surplus money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baok Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 Whoa DerekCohen! I like those - very simple too. I'm inspired. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatBaron Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 I got inspired to practice my dovetails by making some dovetail markers... scrap maple and bloodwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenaissanceWW Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 I too rarely mark them anymore. You'd be surprised how quickly you can match an angle. Only when I have a joint that is really visible or on a small piece will I lay them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 No marks? Not even a square line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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