Help figuring out what this tool is called

[JeffThom]

Hello,

I’m looking to buy one of these (see attached picture). However I have no idea what it is called. Not knowing the name of it makes it pretty hard to find one online.

It is used for fabrication setup – mostly for repeatedly marking steel where you are going to be drilling out holes or welding on pieces. It works by sliding it to the desired depth and then tightening the knob to lock it in place. Then you can quickly move along marking the same distance over and over well knowing that you measurement will stay precisely the same from one mark to the next.

Hopefully someone here will recognize this handily little device so that I can purchase one.

Thanks,

-Jeff

52495

[GabZip]

I would call it a marking gage. The one you show looks home made. You can do the same thing with a combination square.

[rlitman]

Here's a page with good descriptions and definitions:
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=NEXT&StoreCode=toolstore&nextpage=/extra/gaugeguide.html

[JeffThom]

I would call it a marking gage. The one you show looks home made. You can do the same thing with a combination square.

Thanks for the quick reply. Now that I know what it is called I'll see if I can find one online. I've used a combination square and it isn't quite a nice to work with as this one.

The picture doesn't show the detail very well but it is marked in mm and it likely looks homemade because it is very old and has seen a lot of use.

The one in the picture belongs to the shop that I apprenticed at for a bit. Now I'm looking to find the same one for my shop.

[JeffThom]

If anyone knows where I might be able to fine one on these please let me know. Since learning what it is called I've found a couple online.

However, I'm trying to find one that is graduated in mm on one side & 1/16 of an inch on the other. So far all the ones that I've found online are either one or the other.

Is there any chance that there is another name for these? When searching for marking gage 99% of the results are made of wood or are round steel ones for marking lines on wood.

Any help would be appreciated.

-Jeff

[rlitman]

If you want something pre-set with fixed graduations, maybe you want something different.
Take a look at the Incra T-Rule.

[Craig Swanson]

Check out Grizzly.com they have this tool. craig

[JeffThom]

Check out Grizzly.com they have this tool. craig

Thanks Craig. Could you give me a part #?

I looked and didn't see anything.

[JeffThom]

If you want something pre-set with fixed graduations, maybe you want something different.
Take a look at the Incra T-Rule.

rlitman, the Incra T-Rule isn't quite what I'm looking for but it does look quite useful. I think I'll pick up a couple of those as well.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[woi2ld]

slide gauge.........slide ruler.....?

[Matt_Maguire]

That doesn't look like anything Starret, B&S, Lufkin or Stanley made for layout work...

If it has graduations possibly someone machined a non-hardened scale and the rest for a pretty nifty tool!

The tool below has a similar scale and can be bought direct or from Lowes;

http://www.kregtool.com/MultiMark-Prodview.html

There was also kind of a fun thread here a while back with layout tools;

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=42399

Matt

[thermalfusioneng.]

slide gauge lots of tool builders ues them.

[JeffThom]

Matt, Thanks for the links. I like the Multi-Mark. It doesn't look to be anywhere near as durable as the one I'm looking for but it does look useful and worth a try.

Also, Thanks for the link to the layout tools thread - lots of good stuff there.

[JeffThom]

slide gauge lots of tool builders ues them.Any idea where I can buy one like this?

Thanks to all the helpful replies here I've found lots of similar tools but nothing quite like it. If there is one out there I'd really like to buy something that is as close to this as possible.

Mostly because I've spent quite a bit of time using it. To bad that they only had one of them at the shop I used to work at - it is everyones favorite setup/layout tool at that shop so buying that one wouldn't be an option. :(

[woi2ld]

my two MAIN tools on the layout table R........."slide gauge" and "slide heighth gauge "

gawd , im a fabricating genius .........and my signature says painter , becuz thats wat im best at , so imagine how good that is , is it arogance or confidence

[Quick]

closest thing I can find but good luck

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=25115&filter=marking%20gage

[thermalfusioneng.]

Rutland tool,Or McMaster-carr. I mean if these guy don't carry it then it was custom made by a tool builder. Someone just slotted a scale and placed a aluminum block behind it. You'll probably get the same use from a caliper or a depth gauge or T square

[thermalfusioneng.]

check this out.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#8606A57

If these guys dont have it, its not made.

[thermalfusioneng.]

I go thru calipers because I'm always scribing with them. Theres nothing better for scribing aluminum w/a little dykem

[1-800miner]

Twenty minutes on the milling machine will make you one! Spend an hour and make three diferent sizes.Spend another hour and scribe inches and metric thingies on them. Even easier to mill a slot through the bosses favorite Starret rule.
I love building tools when I can buy them for less work and money!

[wannabe_welder]

Try this one (http://www.sctools.com/master3.asp?classid=381)

[JeffThom]

Twenty minutes on the milling machine will make you one!

True! but I don't have a milling machine so buying one is the way to go.

[JeffThom]

Try this one (http://www.sctools.com/master3.asp?classid=381)

Thanks! Think that is the closest thing yet!!

[norite]

Find one of these old slotted combination squares and you are half way there. Please don't use a good one, the tool collectors will be upset. :nono:

Look for one with a missing or broken casting, you just need the rule part. :angel:

Just need to cut it to length and make the sliding guide part yourself. You could make the guide from whats left of the blade, the bolt and the knurled nut. After all this is a welding forum.

Might build one myself next time I come across one of these old squares.

[Nukisen]

Hehe this is a strykmått. In Swedish.
In English I would prefer the ''Marking gauge" when describe this tool.
Have a nice day
//Janne

[wagin]

The tool you show is mainly used in wood working, I think. Not sure what they call it. The tool that does basically the same thing and more, used in metal layout , is called a bar scribe or a double bar scribe. Like most tools, there are china versions and high end versions. This is one of mine.

[Craig Swanson]

I looked on Grizzly.com, they do have 3 in differant lengths. Try part # H2709 if this is something that works for you.

[Marine5068]

Yes. Marking gauge.
Can easily use a combo square to do the same, but that one looks pretty nice and compact to fit in a pocket. I may have to pick one up or fabricate one for myself.
A metal working one is called a bar scribe as posted above.

[Donald Branscom]

Just use your dial vernier calipers, or digital calipers.

[WyoRoy]

I hate dealing with Canadian shipping, but if you feel like sending a scale I'd be happy to mill you up the tool. PM me and we'll see where it goes.

EDIT: Don't know if it would be an option, but I could send it to Big Arm, MT below Kalispell...sis-in-law lives there.

[JeffThom]

I hate dealing with Canadian shipping, but if you feel like sending a scale I'd be happy to mill you up the tool. PM me and we'll see where it goes.

EDIT: Don't know if it would be an option, but I could send it to Big Arm, MT below Kalispell...sis-in-law lives there.

Thanks for the offer.

Hopefully I will have a milling machine in the next month or so . . . .you have been helping me out with that on another thread.

[WyoRoy]

Best of luck on the mill acquisition. Good easy first project too!

[carbon]

Here is one at Lee Valley: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=61607&cat=1,43513