The simplest lathe tool height gauge.

[Rorschach]

I came up with this one years ago to help me set lathe tools quickly and easily.

It's made from an old square, I got this one with some old tools, it wasn't terribly accurate and I have several nicer ones in this size. An an aside I believe this to be homemade, maybe a school project from long ago.
This is so simple to make it you can do it in literally a few seconds.

Take a sharp scriber or lathe dead centre and put it in your headstock. Place the square on the bed of the lathe (or cross slide if you prefer, I use the bed as I have flat ways) And use the scribe to scratch a line into both sides of the square "blade".
Done, that's it! Your tool is ready to use.

If you have a gap bed lathe and can't get close enough to the headstock, lock down your tailstock and use this instead, it will be plenty accurate enough I am sure.

I added a picture, though you probably don't need it. You should be able to make out the scribed line on the blade about halfway up.

[DIYer]

Thanks Rorschach! We've added your Tool Height Gauge to our Height and Depth Gauges category,
as well as to your builder page: Rorschach's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Tool Height Gauge by Rorschach

tags: height gauge

[Paul Jones]

Rorschach,

I like it and such a simple approach that is easy to implement. Thank you for the directions.

Regards,
Paul Jones

[Rorschach]

Rorschach,

I like it and such a simple approach that is easy to implement. Thank you for the directions.

Regards,
Paul Jones

No problem, I also like it's simplicity. For those on a tight budget it also saves a lot of money and space, you can use a square you already own if needed, after all it's only a scratch mark on the side of the blade, it doesn't affect its function in any way. I only used this square because otherwise it would have gone in the bin.