Spar-maker’s gauge (octagon marking gauge)

[Philip Davies]

The idea for these octagon gauges was published first in “Fine Woodworking”, submitted by Percy Blandford. As he wrote over a hundred books on topics as diverse as Blacksmithing and canoe building, probably a few of you may recognise his name. There is an interesting obituary of him online, from the Telegraph.

So, originally a boatbuilder’s gauge, I made mine to scribe tapered octagons for chisel handles.

If the spurs are set proportionately to the width of the gauge, they will remain proportionate irrespective of the angle.


As usual, this tool is made from salvaged material. The stocks are made from the notes of marimbas which a local school threw away, beautiful tropical hardwood, from which I’ve made a number of small items, eg cabinet handles.

[bruce.desertrat]

How come I can never find this miraculous trash like a trove of tropical hardwood like that!.

Very nice; I've seen the same design called 'mortise' gages as they work well for laying out mortises (and tenons) evenly on the stock.

[suther51]

"If the spurs are set proportionately to the width of the gauge, they will remain proportionate irrespective of the angle."

Exactly what a spar maker would need for marking the tapered stock of a spar in progress. This is indeed some thing to store in ones memory bank, like money in the bank.
Thanks
Eric

[DIYer]

Thanks Philip Davies! We've added your Octagon Marking Gauge to our Marking Gauges category,
as well as to your builder page: Philip Davies's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Octagon Marking Gauge by Philip Davies

tags: marking, gauge

[Philip Davies]

Bruce, you can have some,8 you would like to collect.