A mortise gauge or mortice 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 with brass fittings.[2][3]
 Hardwood mortise gauge with brass fittings | |
| Other names | Mortice gauge[1] |
|---|---|
| Classification | Woodworking marking tool |
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",[3] which are designed to scribe parallel lines marking both sides of a mortise at the same time.[4] One of the pins is adjustable, attached to a sliding fence,[5] so that mortises of different widths can be marked.[2]
Some mortise gauges are designed with one retractable spur, so that they can be used as marking gauges as well;[6] however, because the mortise gauge is an expensive and high precision tool, many carpenters prefer to have a separate marking gauge for general use.[5]
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.[7]
References
edit- ^ "MORTICE | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary". dictionary.cambridge.org. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
- ^ a b Woodwork: A Step-by-Step Photographic Guide to Successful Woodworking. DK Publishing. 19 April 2010. pp. 38–. ISBN 978-0-7566-7002-3.
- ^ a b The Mortise Gauge. Technology Student
- ^ What is MORTISE GAUGE? definition of MORTISE GAUGE (Science Dictionary). The Science Dictionary
- ^ a b New Track Media (April 1998). "American Woodworker". The American Woodworker. Magazine. New Track Media: 47–. ISSN 1074-9152.
- ^ A Short Guide to Mortise and Marking Gauges. Tools for Working Wood
- ^ 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 978-1-55870-809-9.