Making a Classic Marking Gauge

In this episode of Tool Making, Bob shows us his take on making a classic marking gauge.
“If you’re going to make it, make it beautiful.”
Bob Emser
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#theartofboatbuilding #artofboatbuilding #toolmaking #marking gauge #woodenboatbuilding #buildingasmallboat #buildingasailboat

[@bobjosephs6596]

Before I talk about your marking gauge let me congratulate you on telling me what to do with my drill chuck key. That's the biggest hooray hooray I have seen in a long time. Your woodwork is beautiful, I admire it more than I can say.

[@Celticlion1963]

I've looked at least 2 dozen marking gauges; this the one I plan to make.

[@francislambert5189]

This was a credit too the woodworking community...Thanks from, Boston, Mass. U.S.A.

[@kevinbowman7572]

It was worth watching just for the pencil trick!!

[@tobhomott]

I need to make one of those for patternmaking... Great job!

"More importantly is the aesthetics" A man after my heart

[@RexKrueger]

Just found your channel and it's GREAT. You clearly have a lot to teach and I look forward to learning. Subbed!

[@INNYAFACCE]

what he said !!!

[@jimbo2629]

Wow. That pencil trick saves making two gauges. Lovely gauge. And I like the hacksaw blade. Much better than a point to give a cleaner cut through the wood.

[@ottorinopugliese7697]

Dei tanti che sono in rete, il migliore che abbia visto!

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Grazie, sono felice che ti piaccia. Saluti

[@ottorinopugliese7697]

@@TheArtofBoatBuilding 😍

[@stewartmcmanus3991]

Thank you, it's beautiful and practical, I reckon I could do that.

[@oscar38]

The best marking gauge video and gauge I've seen on KZbin. Thanks. I also like the way you don't need to chisel a mortice.

[@adamguinnmusic5871]

I keep trying to get into marking gauges. I even own a couple. I just always grab my pencil and square, or ruler.

[@ynotjf]

Thank You for not monetizing your video, it’s nice having No Ads!

[@pebblesthecat3625]

Very esthetically pleasing to the eye. Well worth the effort of making and should last for your lifetime, and whoever is lucky enough to inherit it.

[@aaronmcrae6570]

I really enjoyed watching this. Thanks

[@charliec1110]

This is the second video of yours that I've watched and have been really impressed with the craftsmanship you accomplished in both videos...they have inspired me to make a marking guage and the drawknife you've made...I hope to see more of your work and look forward to those being inspiring as these...thank you and keep up the great work!

[@JoeBob79569]

I was initially a bit sceptical about gluing the pieces together instead if mortising a hole into a single piece, but with those brass bits, and the glue, and the plate as well, it's probably stronger than a single piece, which could break along the grain anyway. And, damn, it looks nice!

[@freddiemercurious]

What a wonderfully simple, yet complex instrument. I'm making mine just like yours. I'll be using sheet copper because I have some. I'll use some spray urethane to prevent patina.

[@garethwatkins8854]

Enjoyed how you kept the video simple and straightforward.

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Thank you.

[@Clarkson350]

Enjoyable to watch! I had been planning on making a few one for each of the kids. I personally prefer a scribe and like the wheel design the best.

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Sounds great! Thanks for watching!

[@DavidLindes]

One reason to prefer a scribe over a pencil line is that you're actually cutting some of the fibers of the wood... if you're then planning to chisel or something, this can be a nice way to get a nice clean edge. Of course, if that's not what you're doing...... ;) Anyway, nice work. I like it. The brass accents really make a difference, aesthetically!

[@johnbrock1602]

Love the craftsmanship you put into everything you make

[@NickLuker]

This video is how I found your channel; I needed to make a marking gauge. I ended up making one with a captured wedge because it is easier to operate with one hand. This gauge reminds me of an oar lock. The brass and walnut are beautiful combination of color and tone.

[@roberthoyle6442]

There is always a deep inner satisfaction in finishing a project . But it is even more satisfying when you have crafted some of your tools ! Thanks

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

So true!

[@Maseko66]

It’s probably the best DIY scribe I’ve seen... thanks

[@chapmaker46]

i still have my tools from the 60s when i was doing my apprenticeship, at a wooden boat company..have worked at it for 50 plus years,,,loved going to work..

[@woodfather]

So beautiful, I've stayed away from adding any metal to my work but you make it so simple, will be giving this a go shortly. Thank you!

[@Glenfiddich101]

A very nice finish indeed 😁👍

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@scottishpride7511]

...ol'man once said; "know the difference between those that know what their doing and them that don't?" Watch how they mark their line! Well said, and very well done. Will use this in my shop. Again, Well Done! Scottishxpride, Texas.

[@hawazz1]

I haven't even finished watching the video and I must say: what a great details!!

[@tomsatterlee8397]

Hi: Not only lots good but it would appear to be fairly easy. My only comment on the construction is the square mortise and the post rather than a post with a small radius to be able to keep things tight. Do you have a comment?

[@koendebelie197]

This is some beautiful craftsmanship !

[@tomtolleson3520]

This was great. Would love to see you make a maul and/or a mallet (in addition to the brass mallet video). Rawhide or wood would be great.

[@f.javierrealros1723]

Great job bro. Congrats.

[@johnburens3395]

I'll be making one of these for sure, thanks for posting and nice work!

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Hi John, That's great. Send me an image when you finish.

[@johnburens3395]

@@TheArtofBoatBuilding I actually plan on building a number of different marking gauges. I will try to remember to send a photo.

[@rickshick8544]

I have some scrub oak pieces that I've hoped to be able to use this might be a great project for them.

[@msec2000]

Excellent job

[@shennessey1]

Great video and good ideas. One thing... please use a feather board. (1:40)

[@rickyrabbit3689]

I just watched this video. I really like your take on the marking gauge. I kept trying to look at your work bench but couldnt really tell much about it. It would be cool if you show cased it.

[@leemarzahl8891]

Very cool build!

[@frittandy]

Good Job Bob. Thank you from Italy.

[@richardmason4210]

Great idea Thank you so much for sharing.

[@lourias]

I like your style of guage.

[@tomsatterlee8397]

Hello Again: I am amazed at the lack of current comments. Since you made the gauge are you now using it in place of the combination square? Thanks

[@ronaldalexandercoraizin7328]

Very good craftsmanship and elegantly done..love it

[@christopherleblanc9599]

great project

[@davidc6510]

Another great job making a beautiful and multi-functional hand tool. Cool tip on the pencil! Thanks for sharing!

[@StephanieElizabethMann]

An excellent tool. I'll have to make one myself. 🙂

[@robertsmith3518]

Great video . TY for the blow by blow description. Now I can take your idea and vastly improve the one I was pondering..Yours gets a 10 !

[@firemazeheatray5194]

thank you inspired to make one this week High fives

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Wonderful!

[@marcosaslan1802]

Estas herramientas son muy útiles , solo siento no haber tenido internet antes para aprender hacer estas cosas y otras muchas que igual e aprendido gracias a estos vídeos , Saludos desde Ecuador

[@leotoa9564]

Bonjour, Très beau travail, je suis passionné par les beaux outils et votre video me donne des idées. J'ai déjà construit 2 bateaux en bois içi en France

[@davidleeson8088]

Superb as always

[@scottdicker7051]

Simply Professional 👏

[@geoffgwyther7269]

holding the scribe blade on with a single screw. will give you .a problem. In time that blade will rotate under pressure. and it is bound to happen just when you don`t want it to . Sods law...It is only friction that is keeping it square at present. Remove and rough up the back and replace using a spot of something like superglue. Just a thought.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Thank you for this tool making video. I have seen a number of videos for making marking gauges and this has to be the most straight forward version I have seen yet. Can't wait to get to my shop and make one of these. Hope it will turn out as beautiful as yours.

[@douglasmoffat6560]

What a great project! I’m inspired! I’ll have to make one of these myself! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@user-pt2ep6xe4g]

Красивым инструментом приятно работать. Если еще и сам его сделал - то вдвойне.

[@tolbaszy8067]

Very nice! The only design change I would suggest is putting the clamping screw on the opposite side of the beam to protect the rule from damage.

[@sxsboy2253]

Great ideas. I love the 6” scale addition. I just went out and found the one I purchased 34 years ago but only rarely usedI found that on the softer woods it wouldn’t scribe an even line. It would go over the hard rings and gouge in between. I’ll be making the modifications this afternoon.ibeen doing the pencil thing for many years after an old blacksmith showed me how to get a nice clean edge on soap stone using a grinder.thank you or the inspiration

[@sbjennings99]

Awesome informational educational video experience Y'alls

[@michaelthaibinh9128]

You did a nice piece of art. Beautiful.

[@RonAday]

Very nice work! In fact, I am going to make this almost exact gauge thanks to your inspiration. Keep it up. You are doing the world of woodworking a great service by sharing your ideas. :)

[@thorlo1278]

That is one beautiful tool! Brass has always been my favorite metal to use for making anything more beautiful. In my kitchen we have a ceiling fan that had a beautiful ceramic and brass pull for the fan. When it is polished up it just gleams and makes the fan more beautiful. I wish I could afford some walnut to make some tools from as it is a gorgeous wood. Your marking gauge is proof of that!

[@elund408]

check for a custom cabinet shop/ furniture manufacturer in your area they may sell off cuts/scrap for small projects.

[@talegunner115]

I am completely amazed of your work. So functional yet beautiful. Great Job sir.

[@JDK45ACP]

New subscriber here, in no small part because of your tool making. Loved this project along with the rounded hand plane you built. Master Craftsmanship !!!

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Thanks for the sub!

[@ecaff9515]

Excellent video and process and thanks for sharing I'm old school. Marking gauge for dovetails etc...and a pencil with an eraser for just about everything else.

[@jorgeboskovic5679]

excellent work thank you so much

[@pradeephl6tp]

Very good information brother good video Thanks bro

[@gmoore6166]

Great work! I use both pencil and scribe.

[@robinfleet7094]

Me too...depends on the hardness and color of the material I'm marking (old eyes and sometimes I can't see the pencil but I can feel the scribe).

[@the430movie]

You are making tools... Pro grade style..... SUBSCRIBED!!!

[@johanbooysen2530]

Very nice! How about attaching a small block with hole on the end to hold the pencil in place?

[@craigmonteforte1478]

Very nice work ! I did Woodworking professionally for over 20 years and its been a hobby of mine for a little longer most definitely a pencil guy but. I switched to using mechanical ones years ago to give me a Consistent fine line to work to everytime i dont use anything fancy. Just a pack of Bic pencils i buy at walmart pretty cheaply almost all of the 40. Guys i worked with. Use them as well As they. Will fit into our scribes. And other marking tools without. Any modification i also like the plastic clip on them to hold them in my apron or shirt pockets. Even when i lean. Over something I’m working on I really liked that bench. You are using in the video another. Hobby / passion of mine is boating as ive owned 17 or 18 vessels over my lifetime so far. Both sail and power Wood and kFiberglass and i have Several thousands of miles under my belt including the Florida Keys, Bahamas , and the Intra Coastal Waterway from the Chesapeake Bay Maryland to Ft Lauderdale Florida ive been a fisherman , Scuba Diver since i was a teenager and have done almost all my own. Repairs and restorations myself including major refits and even engine work if needed of course having a machine shop do some of that when i needed That type of specialty work i did restore a 1964 Wooden Chris Craft cabin cruiser that was in. My family for the majority of its ownership

[@equiposequinos2414]

wonderful job is a really nice handcraft, congratulations, and all the successes to you.

[@paulbull1993]

Great build mate. Thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Thanks Paul

[@RADCOMJ1]

A pleasure to watch you work sir. Professionalism and meticulous attention to detail...magnificent.

[@captainmcpuffpuff6747]

Fantastic job, it turned out beautiful!

[@franklopezfl5]

Nice Video Bob! Seems like fun project to build your own gauge. I found one at an antique store made from rosewood and brass, it is a stunning piece which I proudly display in my den.

[@alexnagle575]

Beautifully done as always! When using chip brushes for epoxy, take a good pair of shears and snip the very tip off. Especially when using thickened epoxy, the increased stiffness of the shorter bristles is helpful. Your improvisational skills are obviously great and kudos for the fine videos.

[@hilaireoloughlin]

Meditative work. Don't know if I will ever make one but I think this is really important information and skill that you are transmitting for future generations. Thanks for sharing.

[@matthewgrattan5131]

Nice work. Love the pencil sharpening tip!

[@rick91443]

Am new to your videos; enjoy them immensely! cheers...rr Normandy, France

[@johngardiner8847]

Great video, thank you

[@DickvanZanten]

Neat job! I like the old hacksaw blade as a scribe, use (bought) rotary blades myself. The stay sharp longer and tend not to raise op wood fibres as a blade does in some soft woods used across the grain.

[@edwinleach4013]

Very nice. I was going to purchase one from the big box store but this changed my mind. Thanks for the video.

[@robertwilliams8974]

Great job! Well explained how to make it too! Cheers, Rob.

[@chot_chot]

i like your marking gauge so awesome

[@TheArtofBoatBuilding]

Thanks

[@aguilayserpiente]

Masterful. Some fellas use the marking scribe to cut into the wood to remove a piece.

[@discombubulate2256]

i'm a pencil guy but dude, now i've seen you make one of these i'm making one! jarrah i think.

[@eyateacher7766]

Wow , fantastic , thanks a lot

[@weezerOU812]

I'm a pencil man myself but I just may have to make one of these. Seems simple but looks high quality. Thanks for the idea.

[@red58impala]

Some day I hope to build a wooden boat. Right now I want to build my own tools. I really liked all three of your tool-building videos so far and just from those I subscribed. I look forward to more of your videos, especially tool videos, in the future.

[@OtherBrotherDaryl]

Pencil. But want to scribe. Your video convinced my that I must improve my marking game. Great production, execution and skill. Thank you.

[@cornersc]

Beautiful work. Your attention to detail is incredible. I'd like to throw something out there. For a small epoxy job like that, maybe use a paper cup and a gloved finger rather a plastic cup and a metal brush that'll both still be here after were all gone. I use a lot of chip brushes (boat stuff) and I always cut the handles off and save them for reuse, even if it's just for mixing or fillet sticks. I even sand them down to use as wedges. Any thoughts on how you might reuse the handles from the acid brushes?

[@kevgermany]

Really nice. Was thinking of making one for my son, but didn't cos of the scribe point. Hacksaw blade sorts that. One observation. The scale looks as if it lines up with the edge of the blade, not the centre, so always half a blade thickness out. Or did uo f Grund down the outside of the blade?

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Wow-what a beauty!! I collect marking gauges and make them to sell and give as gifts. There were a few parts to your marking gauge that I will now add to my gauges. Stavros Gakos recommended your channel and I am so glad he did. Adding a metal ruler is a brilliant idea and will be adding that feature to my gauges. I just subscribed so I can catch up and see more of the upcoming videos you post. Thanks again!!

[@wesleywillard]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@wsalinas1]

BEAUTIFUL MY FRIEND...!

[@nagibali4322]

thank you very much

[@markmuller2320]

Good audio, well done for taking feedback! Good project as well. :)