Mastering Accuracy: A No-BS Guide to Marking and Measuring Tools

*Support What we do at KMTools.com
Welcome to our ultimate guide to marking and measuring tools! In this information-packed video, we dive deep into the realm of precision and why it truly matters. If you're tired of uncertainty and subpar results, this is the NO BS guide you've been searching for.
Our comprehensive exploration covers a wide range of marking and measuring tools that I actually use and professional and DIY enthusiasts should know about. From squares and tape measures to calipers, marking knives and gauges, we leave no stone unturned to help you make informed choices.
Throughout this video, we demonstrate how accurate marking and measuring tools are essential for achieving flawless results in various projects. We discuss the significance of precision in woodworking with practical examples and expert advice, you'll understand why accuracy should be your top priority.
So, whether you're a professional seeking to enhance your skills or a beginner eager to grasp the fundamentals, this video is tailored just for you. Join us on this exciting journey as we unravel the secrets of marking and measuring tools together.
Watch this ultimate guide now!
Let me know what you’d like to see next! Please like, comment and subscribe.
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BLACK FRIDAY SALE IS LIVE Support what we do at KMTools.com
Damascus Marking Knife kmtools.com/products/damascus... Marking Gauge* kmtools.com/products/brass-ma...
Center Punch kmtools.com/products/5-adjust...
Layout Tools Bundle Black Friday
Combo Square
Calipers
The Katz-Moses Woodworkers with Disabilities Fund ABOUT kmtools.com/pages/kmww-charity
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*Check out OUR BRAND NEW STORE for tons of great TOOLS and Support the Katz-Moses Woodworkers with Disabilities Fund*: www.KMTools.com
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Timestamps
No BS Bandsaw Intro 0:00
What MEASURING Tools do I ACTUALLY USE 0:25
Combo Squares are Awesome 0:51
The other Tools I USE 2:20
Cool Tape Measure Fact 3:08
Digital Measuring Tools I USE 3:45
Analog Measuring 5:30
MARKING TOOLS I ACTUALLY USE 6:09
Why Accuracy Matters 7:00
Transferring Measurements Using a Marking Knife, Marking Gauge and a Square 7:42
Creating a Knife Wall for Sawing and Chiseling 9:42
Damascus Marking Knife Black Friday BS 10:55
Center Punch and Drilling 11:29
Accuracy for Cross Cuts on the Table Saw 13:32
Accuracy for Rip Cuts on the Table Saw 15:38
Accuracy with the Router 17:20
NO BS Outro 18:39
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Check me out on social media:
jkatzmoses
www.Facebook.com/katzmoseswoodworking
patreon.com/katzmoseswoodworking
/ katzmoseswoodworkingshop
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Tools I love:
My Apron: kmtools.com/collections/workwear
My favorite Dozuki dovetail saw - shop.kmtools.com/dozuki
My favorite Ryoba saw - shop.kmtools.com/ryoba
Marking Gauge: shop.kmtools.com/dbmk
Marking Knife: shop.kmtools.com/dbmk
NEW Suizan Flush Trim Saw: shop.kmtools.com/flush
Narex Richter Chisels: lddy.no/ussg
Knew Concepts Coping Saw (best deal I’ve found): lddy.no/120mz
Dewalt Planer Package: amzn.to/2thEf6O
CMT Chrome are the Absolute Best Table Saw Blades (JKM10CMT for Additional 10% Off)- lddy.no/ggf9
Great Small Tape Measure: lddy.no/120n2
BLEM Combination Squares (high accuracy and value at a fraction of the price due to cosmetic scratch): lddy.no/120n3
The ABSOLUTE best Sandpaper on the market: lddy.no/10ucv
Dewaxed Shellac Flakes: amzn.to/2FeqqYh
5 Minute Epoxy 10% Discount code JKATZMO: bit.ly/30bA39o
2:1 High Performance Epoxy 10% Discount code JKATZMO: bit.ly/30bA39o
Dewalt Trim Router: amzn.to/3Ay6c7D
Dewalt Full Size Router Kit: amzn.to/3FH8Njp
Dewalt Planer: amzn.to/2YSkpiS
Bosch 1.25 HP Colt Router: amzn.to/3DzNjmF
Bosch Edge Guide: amzn.to/2uRRKs2
Bosch Bushings Set: amzn.to/2JUNRYb
Centering Cone: amzn.to/2OjgOAf
MY CNC MACHINES (I highly recommend both)
Bescutter Laser’s Website: bit.ly/bescutter
Avid CNCs of all shapes and sizes: bit.ly/3cdKdqA

[@katzmosestools]

*BLACK FRIDAY SALE IS LIVE* Support what we do at KMTools.com *Damascus Marking Knife* kmtools.com/products/damascus-steel-marking-knife-with-leather-cover *Brass Marking Gauge* kmtools.com/products/brass-marking-gauge-with-micro-adjust-and-imperial-metric-markings *Center Punch* kmtools.com/products/5-adjustable-automatic-center-punch *Digital angle finder* kmtools.com/products/cmt-orange-tools-digital-angle-finder *Layout Tools Bundle Black Friday* *Combo Square* *Calipers* *The Katz-Moses Woodworkers with Disabilities Fund ABOUT* kmtools.com/pages/kmww-charity

[@jamespitman7452]

Thanks for this video, I'm really liking the no BS series! Also, It looks like part of the " *Brass Marking Gauge* " text has attached itself to the end of the Damascus knife link causing it to give a page not found error. Found this to be the case in both the pinned comment and the description.

[@katzmosestools]

@@jamespitman7452fixed

[@jimsjacob]

@@katzmosestools. FYI. Center Punch and Marking Gauge still broke under the “More” description. That is my experience @ 9 AM. PST

[@bruce9108]

@katzmosestools which handsaw from your site do you recommend for cutting tenons. Thanks

[@katzmosestools]

Ryoba

[@boosbeest1146]

Greetings from the Netherlands. Inspired for decades but pushed over the line by maybe the best woodworking channel out there. 44 and after +20 years of typing and clicking, now 12 weeks in a woodworking course (3 years in total so I quess more an education). Thank you and please keep it up.

[@katzmosestools]

I can’t wait to see what you create my friend

[@Lennart1995]

Lang leve Holland 🎉 I’m just about to start woodworking. I was looking for a place to rent for months and yesterday I finally found one, meaning I’ll be able to finally use all my tools that were stashed in my apartment 😅 I can’t wait to start. I’m not doing a course as of now, so I’ll have to educate myself, and these videos are so useful for that. I learned so much from this, and I definitely still need to pick up these tools.

[@davidredden8361]

@@katzmosestools Jew boy! How many Palestinians have you killed?

[@jimrosson6702]

Jonathan thanks for doing these videos as a new woodworker I’m learning so much and so many great tips and tricks. You are one of my favorites content creators keep up the amazing work. And keep creating the great tools.

[@MCsCreations]

Thanks a bunch for all the tips, Jonathan! 😃 Keep this series coming! Really useful content!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Mike-pr8hx]

Thanks for taking the time to make these 'No BS' videos. Even if we know these principle skills it's nice to watch a refresher video.

[@louisolivierfortin]

One quick point with the table saw. Some cheaper tablesaws like my sawstop CTS have non negligible arbor runout (the blade oscillates ever so slightly), which means to cut on your line you have to be careful to take that into account. For precision cuts I often end up creeping up to my line with 2-3 cuts. Makes for a very clean cut too.

[@ChrisHornberger]

This No BS series is a great learning tool, and a great reminder/refresher for the more experienced folks. Beautifully done. Again.

[@kevinthomson6324]

Dial calipers and combo square are used in virtually every cut I make. If my test cut is off .005” I use my calipers and a magnet on my table to adjust my fence or feeler gauges on my stop block so I can dial in my actual cut to be perfect every time. Definitely going to try that marking guage and scale trick to try to nail my cuts right the first time! Downfall of working as a cnc operator in a nuclear level machine shop is I can’t let anything go even .002” out of tolerance when I’m woodworking. That’s a football field compared to what I deal with at work.

[@garrettjeffries3838]

Yeah 50 micron is a lot

[@kevinjarrell4205]

Thanks for making such informational videos. Really learned a lot about making accurate marking and cuts. I ordered the marking bundle to improve my accuracy while marking and cutting. Keep up the great videos!

[@do_fun_stuff]

Thanks for the content. Straight to the point, and even hobbies like me can benefit from it easily! To support your doing and spread the idea on woodworking I bought a KM apron for my little son as a Christmas gift. He is into the woodwork now, so I guess he will love it.

[@georgetumillo446]

I’m only about a year into my woodworking journey and I Love this no BS series. Learning so much that I wish this had been around when I started, but still incredibly useful to me!! Keep it coming and a big thank you!

[@georgetumillo446]

@JonathanKatz-Moses613 Discuss?

[@johnford7847]

Really EXCELLENT presentation, sir. Gonna have to watch this several times - there's so much here that I'm sure I didn't catch even half the first time around. Thank you for sharing.

[@johnhiemstra1464]

These are great videos. I enjoy them a lot. I’m going to watch this one every time I start a new project to remind myself before beginning.

[@jasonhagen]

I learned about another feature on my calipers that I never knew about. These videos are fantastic! Hope there is more in this series! Keep up the great content Jonathan!

[@coolbugfacts1234]

It's amazing when you discover the step/height measurement, it's so much better than trying to balance the skinny end of the depth gauge to measure height

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

Always a pleasure watching your videos. Thanks for creating a great series

[@214rwoz]

Great stuff, thanks for all your time and effort.

[@katzmosestools]

Means a lot. Thank you

[@bmz1]

I'm happy. As a beginer woodworking hobbyist with minimalism in mind, I have almost exactly the tools really needed from chapter 2! 🙂 And I've learned a fourth way of measuring with a caliper. Good to know!

[@JustAnotherDayToday]

My JKM shop apron is holding up really well--love it!

[@applemos6714]

Great video! This type of videos are exactly what I need. A lot of useful tips on how tools are used. Thanks!

[@domenicfp]

Thank you so much for this educational video.

[@JFantin75]

You rock JKatz. I had learned a bunch of these from your previous video but this added to the arsenal. Thank you man :)

[@steveferguson1232]

I always try to watch your videos. If I miss, I go back. By the way, the router plane I purchased from you is nothing of perfection. I’ve used a Stanley #71, a Veritas and yours in my opinion is the best on the market. Perfection

[@garymiller5937]

Great tips Jonathan. They will help me immensely! I didn't really know how important these tools are or the multiple uses for them. My work has shown it in the past. I'd like to start doing better work so you should expect an order this week. Thank you so very much! 😊😊😊❤❤

[@jimsjacob]

Wow, I have to say, so many tips and tricks on layouts and transferring cut lines, etc…. Saving to my “Woodworking” video lists. Thanks so much!

[@user-qe9lj9wl4l]

This video is ON POINT. So useful, thank you!

[@ifiwooddesigns]

Wow! Have to say I actually did learn some valuable tips on marking. It has always been my issue with using pencils or pens. Definitely going to buy some of your stuff on Black Friday. Can’t wait and thank you for this valuable information.

[@DutchRobbie]

Thank you for posting this video. This has helped to improve my cutting accuracy!!

[@kevinsorensen367]

Love this series! Thank you!

[@williammrdeza9445]

Great tips and review! Thank you, Jonathan.

[@scottmedori1437]

I learned a lot of tips this morning- thank you

[@leoleogast007]

Loving the content. Learn a lot of your videos!!! thanks

[@jeanchance9334]

Thanks for measuring information. Very informative.

[@dtork47]

As always very helpful and informative……appreciate the lack of bs and commercial hype! Stay safe.

[@IansWork]

Helpful and interesting! Thanks.

[@thetankwilson]

This is so helpful! Thank you keep up the good work

[@ronwall9923]

Great video! Love seeing what is important to others.

[@Lagunatic]

Appreciate the tips and it was a well articulated video with great edits! Wish I saw it sooner for the sales.

[@williamcooper5009]

Great vid, JKM. Thank you.

[@geomax3465]

Amazin Video!... Thanks you very much.

[@ToolsandTime]

Cool series and useful tips man, thanks!

[@joshwalker5605]

Great as always! My only addition is that i always take my wheel gauge and file 6 small flats on the side if the wheel so it doesnt roll off the dang bench so easily. Thanks again for all your videos!

[@robertberger8642]

Thanks for your advice!

[@JagStar]

Thanks for this one! I learned so much!

[@yvesmertz8209]

Thanks for the share from France

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Katz . what a great guy !

[@hummustv]

Very resourceful video! Thank You!

[@IceCat143]

Thanks for the great tips.

[@milosgrujic9118]

Thanks for such a good lesson! Cheers!

[@bruce9108]

New to woodworking. Hopefully there is a bundle for all of these! 😊

[@jimkonrad2528]

Wow! That was simple but very informative! So many times in woodworking I reflect and think…. “Why didn’t I think of that???”

[@patriciamay638]

Nice to see a pro going back to basics.

[@robertbamford8266]

Great info. A few I had never heard if (said humbly).

[@paddymalone7957]

Excellent again. Top man. Thank you.

[@katzmosestools]

Thank you my friend

[@markduggan3451]

That was a lot of great information.

[@dennismeko]

Enjoyed the information.

[@Bearcrapsinwoods]

I loved the instinctive desire you have to place the marking gauge inside one of the holes at 17:28 and then you have to stop yourself from doing it. I always find myself doing things like that with my tools😂

[@katzmosestools]

Hahahah yeah that’s where I put it when I’m not filming and the struggle was real there

[@richardanderson1152]

Love the no bs series busy all the time so don't have a lot of time to watch videos but everytime I see a new one posted take a sec to watch learn some new things and remember some I forgot thanks

[@Joel_misMakes]

Finishing my first project using anything more than a butt joint and screws, I can attest to the value of a marking knife and scribe tool. So many problems disappear when you can measure/mark consistently. Thea msg JKM. Enjoying the No BS series.

[@mm9773]

Pretty much. Although I don’t regret buying a bunch of other stuff over the years, like the Shinwa square or the Veritas saddle square. I also sometimes prefer a dedicated marking knife, and sometimes I grab the Stanley hobby knife that Paul Sellers uses. I’m often having trouble seeing the marks that the wheel cutter on the marking gauge makes, particularly along the grain. I’d say it’s worth checking out different tools to see what works for you. P.S. Really doesn’t have to be Woodpeckers, other brands are accurate, too.

[@Itsdirtnaptime]

I want to add a favorite feature of digital calipers of mine. Hidden and even most of the machinist i have worked with dont know about this. The ones that have a zero feature AND origin burron, can be use to measure thread depth. You take a bolt that is longer than you need. Zero out that calipers on the overal length of the part. Run the bolt in until it bottoms out. Measure the amount sticking out. It will do all the math for you and tell you the thread depth. I think it is an amazing thing to know. 🤷‍♂️ Quick and lazy. I should add this is only useful in certain circumstances. You have a threaded hole but no bolt. You start off with something too long and get a measurement and cut it doen. Crude way. Or go and order a properly sized bolt. Standard wood working may never have this issue, but it does have a place else where.

[@joekonkol]

Excellent video. I own all of these and boy how one can forget the multiple uses 🤦‍♂️. Who would have thought that you could use the indent on the square to set the marking Guage vs the hard to read and line up measuring increments on the Guage itself! Doh!

[@VictorMartinsPT]

Thank you ❤🙏❤

[@darrenbaugh6579]

Thanks for the video. Good luck in your endeavours.

[@darrenbaugh6579]

Sure thing. what do you want to discuss? @JonathanKatz-Moses613

[@CombrinkPierre]

Great video

[@bryanpeart]

dude's riddled with valuable information!

[@Oddthetall]

Regarding pin marking gauges: most *modern* pin gauges are not very good - as you said, they follow the grain badly. However, if you look at antique marking gauges you'll often notice that the pins are not conical like the gauges you can buy today - they are filed to a knife-edge. This makes all the difference when it comes to reliability. I personally use wheel and properly filed pin gauges interchangably and have not noticed any meaningful difference in behaviour.

[@am2dan]

Saved this one to my ww play list. I'm sure I'll come back to it again sometime.

[@mattelias721]

JKM, this is good content, and I assume your target audience is the new-to-woodworking crowd. I think two points should have been included, both of which I think I learned from you/your earlier videos: 1 - Get quality measuring tools... doesn't have to be a Starrett, but definitely don't get the cheap Walmartian version either... in your own words, buy once, cry once 2 - Check all of your measure-y things against each other - I've checked to make sure my square's 1" = tape measure 1" = steel rule 1" and so on... this ties back to quality tools, too

[@robohippy]

Years ago, at one of the White elephant Christmas party things, I got a tape measure where you pulled it out and it stayed out till you pushed the button and it retracted into the case. Those are the only ones I have any more. The older pull it out, and try to lock it down ones just never stayed put.... Think I have all of these tools. I did just pick up a mini tri square today though. Needed it for turning spheres on my lathe... Big one would not fit into the space...

[@DamianDArienzo]

Nice tips. Love it :)

[@emberwoodandcrafts-thomastritt]

Another great use for the digital micrometer is converting your measurement between SAE fractions, SAE decimal, and metric

[@emberwoodandcrafts-thomastritt]

@JonathanKatz-Moses613 @katzmosestools Is this you? Doesn’t look legitimate, shows up in email as random characters.

[@CorwinBos]

8" dial caliper was one of the best tools Ive ever bought for easy accurate measurements.

[@ryanmikita]

Damn, what a wealth of info! U da man!

[@jerrybyrd7778]

I really do enjoy watching your videos, my only aspiration is to someday to be as accurate as you are.

[@johnjensen8560]

Very nice video. I’m surprised that you don’t include a 12” or more rules with a ruler stop for marking multiple identical measurements. I use these a lot in addition to the marking tools that you show. Thanks for a very informative video! John Jensen from British Columbia

[@moozshop]

great videos, and very informative, I'm looking to purchase some higher quality combo squares and bench square, so I was wondering what you think of "Igaging" combo squares and bench squares. keep up the great videos, cheers

[@samrix5793]

Nice video!

[@katzmosestools]

Awesome! Thank you

[@petrsidlo7614]

One thing about those Pica knock off pencils - the one in your video is more than fine for a workshop, but if you work in any construction enviroment where you need to move more (ladders, crawling, whatever unusual movement) that tiny pocket clip will snap right off. So if you stay in your shop, there is no need to buy anything more expensive, but if you work outside the shop, think about one with a sheath that has sturdy clip.

[@paulhopkins1720]

HULFATORS TALMETER - love mine, use it all the time. Its like a rock solid 2m long marking guage and does inside emasurements.

[@katzmosestools]

Very cool

[@robohippy]

Hey, are you going to be at the AAW Symposium in Portland, OR this summer? For tape measures, I prefer the ones where you have to push the button in for it to retract. The 'locking' button seldom seems to work or work well....

[@theproblemis2158]

Excellent video, I learned a lot. I would like to add that for the best results buy quality measuring tools. I struggled for years with cheap combination squares (Menards, Lowes etc). Always buy good quality and learn how to check them and tune them for best results. :)

[@Dickie2702]

You can true up any combination square in seconds with a small needle file. Plenty of his too videos on the process.

[@allswellinendwell6957]

The notch at the end of a tape measure will fit a 6d nail, so if you hook it over one, it measures from the middle.

[@EOTE_TX]

It would be interesting to see you do an additional video on measuring and accuracy from the perspective of finished work...case in point...you are making a cabinet using panels you made up of hardwood. Your original plan board thickness is 3/4" for your lumber but when you glue up your boards into a panel and plane it to ensure flatness on both sides your panel may end up being 11/16" in thickness. You assemble your cabinet using your original drawings' dimensions and find out your cabinet is actually 1/8" narrower because of the planing you did. I've had to come to terms with this as I always start with rough lumber. To compensate I can adjust my drawings or I can adjust my board's initial thickness when I plane them. There are a lot of situations where plans call for a specific dimension but processing your boards may change how you do that. I think you being a seasoned craftsman could address this to the benefit of those watching your channel.

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@TheWoodgineer]

Massive respect to you for doing this series and continuing to fill in gaps in my knowledge (we all have them) Also, do we get bonus points if we spot the he-man toy at the end? 😄

[@josephhaddakin7095]

I know it's nitpicking but at 15:17 it might be better to set your stop block on the non-waste side. If all your uncut pieces are exactly the same length then it doesn't matter but if there's any minute difference then you have a problem. I enjoyed watching your video. Cheers.

[@mark-7]

Look forward to NO-BS posts..

[@mikec6111]

I’ve had my combo square for about a year and I had no idea about the scribe in the knob!!

[@cyquinlan2768]

Great video !! Can you tell me how are you made that table top workbench?

[@katzmosestools]

Look up my moxon vise videos

[@BiggMo]

Jonathan.. regarding digital angle gauges for setting table saw blades.. do you find the traditional 1/10° resolution accurate enough or would you recommend the newer 1/100° resolution finders I’m now seeing on the market? Are those overkill??

[@cericj]

Question: Do you have a mortise gauge that you like to use or do you use a regular marking gauge to mark out a mortise?

[@nudger44]

Hi Johnathan from across the pond. Can you put a link or tell me the callipers you use tks. Grt vids

[@bookwurm99]

Digital calipers are great for figuring out if something is imperial or metric. Go for quality ones though. They maintain their zero better. Mitutoyo, fowler, brown and Sharpe, starrett are good brands. Expensive but last forever. 6" size is all you really need.

[@concierj7993]

Great upload. Serious value tips right here. Btw your damascus knife link is broken and i cant find it on your site

[@katzmosestools]

Fixed kmtools.com/products/damascus-steel-marking-knife-with-leather-cover

[@AJB2K3]

Wow, thanks, I didn't know about the bit on the back of the callipers head. I only know about the 3 jaws and the depth bar. I don't use a marking knife as I keep cutting/ stabbing myself with it 😱😭😱

[@katzmosestools]

Hahaha careful out there

[@claysink6568]

The Katz-Moses apron has a knife holding spot with thick leather that will prevent the self-mutilation. Probably spelled that wrong. GET THE APRON

[@katzmosestools]

This guy knows

[@GroberWeisenstein]

You didnt mention one of my favorite marking devices especially used for hole alignment of adjoining pieces....... masking tape

[@shaunwiegert]

Thanks for another great video. I just had $270 in my cart and the Damascus knife was still 49. Did I miss something? Or was that yesterday only. Love that knife.

[@katzmosestools]

It’s taken Off automatically at checkout

[@davec3689]

Johnathan - you have made me a better woodworker because I am always willing to learn. May I teach you something? At 14:53 you mention ATB is an abbreviation for Alernate Tooth Bevel. It is actually Alternate Top Bevel. And BTW, why is "abbreviation" such a long word? LOL

[@patrickploenzke489]

Just found you. As a teacher of 30 years. Your a fantastic teacher.

[@307mtb]

How often are you using that fireball combo square for woodworking? I really want one for metal fab but can't think of too many times I would need it for wood

[@katzmosestools]

Never

[@Timber2Toothpicks]

Your choice of tools is spot on. I did however notice that none of them are RED? I thought “maybe he is color blind”? I mean all top tier wood dudes KNOW you need RED tools, Right? Christmas is coming! Think RED.