No. 04
The Marking Gauge
MARKING GAUGE · WHEEL · BRASS FENCE
LAYOUT · SCRIBE LINES
A fence, a beam, and a wheel cutter — it scores one line dead parallel to the edge.
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- 1Fence (stock)
- 2Cutting wheel
Bench spec
- Cutter
- Wheel, bevel out
- Fence
- Brass-faced, locking
- Beam
- 6 in graduated
- Best for
- Mortise & dovetail layout
On the bench
A cutting-wheel gauge severs the fibers instead of tearing them, so the scored line stays crisp across the grain and gives a chisel or saw a wall to drop into. Set the beam from the fence to the edge, lock the thumbscrew, and roll the wheel with the fence pulled tight to the reference face — one light pass, not a plowed trench.
Common miss · ✗
Dragging a dull pin
A blunt pin follows the grain and wanders off line; a sharp wheel held tight to the fence scores the same line every pass.
Take it further
Read the deeper field guides, compare vetted picks, or carry the drawing as original merch in the shop.