It seems like every project requires marking lines a set distance from the edge of the workpiece. I normally use a combination square with my pencil held against it, but since I’m between big projects and you can only play so much golf I decided to make one. I have a traditional marking gauge with the small circular cutting head for times where that’s appropriate such as dovetail work, but I wanted one that held a pencil.
I have been wanting to try brass inlays, and this project was the perfect opportunity. All brass components came from Amazon. I think that between me, my wife, and Ziggy the cat we have personally financed one of Jeff Bezos’ yachts. Of course my contributions paid for the propeller and they paid for everything else…it’s a toss up which one of them has more stuff.
I started with a solid piece of walnut, band sawed into 3 pieces, drilled out the holes on the top for the hardware, and reassembled with the correct spacing to make the square hole. The inlays were pretty straightforward, the biggest challenge was keeping things flat when sanding since wood is softer than brass. The drum sander was a big help, as was the occasional sip of Jameson. The 6” ruler was inset so the measurements are dead on. It’s a nice addition to the shop. Thanks for looking.
Nice build 'dog... that ruler looks like a very useful addition, often/always missing from most bought ones ('cept the 'peckrs). Like the pencil addition, unless you're 1adoze that can never find one in the workshop.... and don't try to tell me it is bolted in as you're guaranteed to unbolt the next time you can't find one and the next time you use the gauge... no pencil!
Do you have a non marer (maybe an Aussie 5 cent) piece under that knurled knob to stop marking that shaft? 10¢ probably too big for yours.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Thanks everyone. Duckster, I did something similar to prevent the thumb screw from marring the shaft. Instead of a coin I looked around my shop and found some of those small self adhesive plastic cabinet bumpers. I stuck one to a small washer, drilled a hole inside before the 3 pieces were reassembled to house it and provide clearance, and Bob’s your uncle.
Love the finished piece, but really like the idea of those silicone bumpers. Don't need a death grip on the shaft so having the compliance in the bumper means you can make it tight but still have some give for small adjustments.
Beautiful work, I bet the brass against that walnut really pops!
Beautiful combination of form and function. I love all the visual elements: the brass accents, the rounded beam nose, and the gentle curve on top of the body.
Good idea. When you don’t need the wood scored a pencil works great. I liked how you put the cabinet bumper and the washer in it. That was a nice touch.
I’m unsure how you made the square opening. Wish you showed some photos of your process.
Thanks for all the kind words. Sorry I didn’t take photos during the build, I was just winging it. I have no excuses since I’m a retired professional photographer.
I started by rough cutting a piece of walnut slightly over sized. I then decided what size I wanted the shaft, about 3/4” square, so that determined the size of the hole. I used the bandsaw to slice the walnut into 3 pieces, with the middle piece being 3/4” thick. These 3 pieces would eventually be glued back together once the middle piece had been cut in half and 3/8” cut off both pieces to make the 3/4” wide hole. The narrow kerf of the bandsaw made for nearly invisible joints. Before the pieces were glued, I drilled a hole through the center of top piece just large enough to allow clearance for the thumbscrew. I then drilled a slightly larger hole partially through from the top to install a brass insert to hold the thumbscrew. Finally, I drilled a hole from the underside of the top piece to house the plastic bumper.
Hope that makes sense. Here’s a sketch that my cat did. Sorry it’s a bit rough, he had been hitting the catnip.
Now I’m feeling guilty for not taking photos during construction, so here’s my shop notes in case anyone wants to build something similar:
Specs
2 1/4” x 3 1/2” x 1 1/8”
Shaft is 3/4” x 3/4” x 8”
Thumbscrews are M6 x 16mm
Finish is Osmo Polyx
Body
Body is cut into 3 pieces, middle piece is 3/4” tall
Middle piece is cut in half and 3/8” removed from both inside edges so that grain will match back up when assembled
1/4” through hole drilled in center of top piece for screw, then 3/8” hole drilled deep enough for M6 brass insert. Larger hole drilled from bottom of top piece to accommodate small plastic bumper adhered to a washer
3 pieces are glued back together
Grooves are cut for brass inlays, inlays epoxied in place
Run through drum sander to flatten evenly
Cut curve on top using bandsaw, clean up with belt sander
Sand lightly to avoid gauging wood up to 1000 grit
Chamfer edges
Shaft
Rout shallow 1/2” groove on side with end of ruler (zero) 1 1/2” from front end of shaft
Drill 25/64 hole for pencil centered 1 1/2” from end to line up with ruler
Drill 1/2” countersink from side 1” from end
Drill 1/4” through hole in the same position
Drill 3/8” hole from the other side in same position to accommodate brass insert
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