Veritas Bar Gauge Heads - Review

[TerryMcK]

This is a simple but well made idea. In the past I have strapped a couple of lengths of thin scrap together to make what is essentially a variable length comparator stick. I would normally use a little blue tape to hold the two sticks together. This is cheap and works really well but Veritas came up with this simple idea a few years ago.
Each head is a circular billet of aluminium with a rectangular hole machined in the side. This part has been black anodised. There is a turned brass knob in the top of one of the clamps.  Both heads are secured to their respective timbers with brass machine screws.

Like most items from Lee Valley Veritas the item is very well engineered and finished. They simply clamp two pieces of wood 3/4" wide x 1/4" thick against each other. The below photos are from pictures available on the internet (my camera is away for repair!)

In practice you make two 1/4" thick x 3/4" wide sections of wood whatever length you want. Cut a point on one end of each piece. Then slide the pieces into two of the clamp heads and tighten both screws. Each point should face away from each other. Then to use you simply loosen the thumbscrew and slide the wooden lengths so they fit inside what you are measuring. It is great for comparing across corners of a drawer, casework, cabinetry etc to square for squareness.

Also you drill an 1/8" diameter hole about 1" from the stub end of one and the pointed end of another. In the holes you simply screw some brass threaded pins (supplied) and you can cover all internal dimensions from about 1/2" to just slightly less than the length of the gauge.
So the gauge essentially has a capacity from 1/2" to the extended length of the bar. Very impressive and a very simple, effective solution.

View showing clamp heads

Using the threaded pins

What is in the box

I made mine from a few pieces of scrap beech and oak I had lying around in the shop. I made two sizes, 1 pair at 19" long, 1 pair at 30" long. This covers most of the case work I do. If I need longer, shorter or intermediate sizes it is really easy to rip another couple of lengths. I finished them with a little left over oil based finish I also had lying around the shop.

In the UK the clamp heads are available from Axminster and cost £8.46 + shipping.

Have a look in your country for local prices.

[Immortan D]

Nice lil gizmo. Unlike a caliper, it won't scratch the wood. Also range is not an issue. And no risk to bend the depth rod either!

[Chet]

I had seen something like this years back, only the guy was using rubber bands and the whole thing didn't look that efficient.  This looks like it could be worth the price of admission.

Thanks for the review Terry.

[Coop]

Now that is pretty cool. Thanks for sharing Terry. I'm going to include one of those with my next Veritas order, which happens way too frequently!

[Tom Cancelleri]

Awesome! I've used the blue tape method with 2 sticks. I'll have to add this to my next LV order. 

[wdwerker]

I have several pair of the older version Veritas made. We use them all the time to transfer exact inside dimensions. I may have to get a new set to have the pins option.

[Cliff]

Added them to my LV cart for next payday. I was just contemplating making this type of measurement for a box bottom.

[gee-dub]

Well thought out and presented review, thanks.  I have two sets; one for short stuff and one for medium stuff.  I also have a couple of long bars hanging near the measuring stuff for those larger drawer boxes and wall cabinets that come along.

There are a lot of ways to do this with shop made jigs.  These items are not expensive and offer a quality, compact and elegant means of performing this type of measurement.

[midtnwoodworker]

Thanks for the review. Buying these now!