Mortice Gauge

A mortise gauge is a woodworking tool used by a carpenter or joiner to scribe mortise and tenon joints on wood prior to cutting. Mortise gauges are commonly made of hardwood[1] with brass fittings.[2]

Like the simpler marking gauge, a mortise gauge has a locking thumb screw slide for adjusting the distance of the scribe from the edge of the wood. It has two protruding pins, often called "spurs",[2] which are designed to scribe parallel lines marking both sides of a mortise at the same time.[3] One of the pins is adjustable, attached to a sliding fence,[4] so that mortises of different widths can be marked.[1]

Some mortise gauges are designed with one retractable spur, so that they can be used as marking gauges as well;[5] however, because the mortise gauge is an expensive and high precision tool, many carpenters prefer to have a separate marking gauge for general use.[4]

For complex joints, some mortise gauges have a double-beam design which allows the gauge to be wrapped around a tool such as a chisel for extra accuracy.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Woodwork: A Step-by-Step Photographic Guide to Successful Woodworking. DK Publishing. 19 April 2010. pp. 38–. ISBN 978-0-7566-7002-3.
  2. 1 2 The Mortise Gauge. Technology Student
  3. ↑ What is MORTISE GAUGE? definition of MORTISE GAUGE (Science Dictionary). The Science Dictionary
  4. 1 2 New Track Media (April 1998). American Woodworker. New Track Media. pp. 47–. ISSN 1074-9152.
  5. ↑ A Short Guide to Mortise and Marking Gauges. Tools for Working Wood
  6. ↑ Jim Tolpin (2 July 2007). Measure Twice, Cut Once: Simple Steps to Measure, Scale, Draw and Make the Perfect Cut-Every Time. Popular Woodworking Books. pp. 86–. ISBN 1-55870-809-X.
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