Dial Height Gauge

[fitzo]

I mark centerlines on my knives for grinding with a height gauge and surface plate. A recent thread made me wonder how much an inexpensive dial height gauge would cost.
I found this one at Grizzly, http://www.grizzly.com/products/Dial-Height-Gauge-6-/G9618 , for $39.95 plus S/H.

Instead of a granite surface plate, one can purchase a 1 foot square piece of plate glass from a glass company's cut offs for not too much money. Plate glass is easily flat enough for most marking purposes when making fixed blades. Have the glass people "break the edges" with a small chamfer to remove the sharp edges.

The nice thing about the dial gauge is that it can be adjusted to within 1thousandth of an inch, so line marking is very accurate and there's no guessing about gross settings. Also, the very sharp edge on the carbide scribe can be easily restored with a diamond file (filing from the top) if it dulls.

 

[Rusty McDonald]

You can get a piece of marble or granite from place that sells tombstones for nothing, most times they have broken pieces that they cant sell.

 

[silver_pilate]

Absolutely, Mike. In fact, I have that very height gauge, and it works very well when combined with my MSC precision granite plate. Plus it's handy for all manner of layout and symmetry checks. I think every shop should have a dial height gauge as well as a decent set of dial calipers.

As for the other thread, I went ahead and ordered one just because I'm a sucker for nifty tools. I think I collect tools more regularly than I do knives . Even if I have something that works just fine, a nifty tool is just hard for me to pass up! It's like knives. Even if you have one knife that cuts great and can handle all you ever need to do...it sure is hard to stop yourself from buying another.

--nathan

 

[NickWheeler]

My thoughts exactly Mike!!!

There are many other lay-out lines I mark with my height gage.

You can put your blade in a file guide, set it on the surface plate, and mark your plunge cuts on both sides of the blade. Like this:

I also use a surface gage ($10 from Enco) with a marker or pencil mounted in it to mark centerlines in hiddden tang handles much in the same manner as the height gage is used to mark blades. And yep, I came up with that one all by my lonesome

 

[fitzo]

.....As for the other thread, I went ahead and ordered one just because I'm a sucker for nifty tools. I think I collect tools more regularly than I do knives . Even if I have something that works just fine, a nifty tool is just hard for me to pass up! It's like knives. Even if you have one knife that cuts great and can handle all you ever need to do...it sure is hard to stop yourself from buying another.

--nathan

I fully understand about the appeal of shiny gadget tools, Nathan. I have a whole shopfull after all these years.

I just wanted folks who weren't aware of it to know about this option, too.

 

[silver_pilate]

Good call, Mike, I completely understand.

--nathan

 

[Erin Burke]

I found this one at Grizzly, http://www.grizzly.com/products/Dial-Height-Gauge-6-/G9618 , for $39.95 plus S/H.

Mike,

Like Nathan, I also own this height-gauge. It is very decent quality for the price. Grizzly also sells cheap granite plates (if you can pick it up rather than have it shipped).

Erin

 

[Bruce Bump]

Like Nick I use mine for layout on blades especially symetrical like dagger blanks. On folding knife blade tips and tapers too.

 

[SBuzek]

Absolutely, Mike. In fact, I have that very height gauge, and it works very well when combined with my MSC precision granite plate. Plus it's handy for all manner of layout and symmetry checks. I think every shop should have a dial height gauge as well as a decent set of dial calipers-nathan

I agree with Nathan every shop should have these.
Stan

 

[v-6]

Check with your local mason contractor, he should have some in his bone yard.
i had a few pieces and i give it away to get rid of it.
they will probably do the same.
vern

 

[WadeH]

I also use a surface gage ($10 from Enco) with a marker or pencil mounted in it to mark centerlines in hiddden tang handles much in the same manner as the height gage is used to mark blades. And yep, I came up with that one all by my lonesome

Nick would you care to exbound on that a little bit. I am not sure I follow what you are doing. Thanks.