Draper 64458 Marking and Mortice Gauge , Blue

Excellent marking gauge, well made

As you can see in the photos the brass slide is sitting in the rebate of the stem at an angle. The stock also fits on the stem very tight. Once the stock is pushed up the stem it has forced the brass slide flat against the bottom of the rebate, and it just locks the whole thing up. It's not functional. I thought I might get lucky with this one but it just seems a common issue with various brands so I feel like my best option is to either scrape a small amount of material out or gently file down one side of the brass slide. It will likely also need some wax once all that is done. Otherwise it feels like a nice light but solid tool. Should be great once it's actually sorted out. None of these big brands seem to be bothered about selling these items fully functional, poor quality control. Update: a few months into use. Once the issues are dealt with this tool has done a great job. It's lightweight and the screw keeps a good grip. Haven't had any problems so far. Pins are very sharp. Ouch. Be careful when digging around the tool bag.

I was plesantly surprised. Given the low cost my expectations were not that high but this item seems well made and works well. I was a little put off but the plastic screw but it appears robust and grips well. I wanted this item as my old marking gauge was single pin and I wanted the double pin option but this has become my "go to" option for both mortice and non-mortice marking out.

I've just bought this new combined marking/mortice gauge to replace a Draper marking gauge I purchased in 1970, which has provided excellent service over the years. This was despite the top of the thumscrew snapping off in the mid 70's, and consequently having a small hole drilled down the centre of what remianed and a self tapping screw inserted to allow me to tighten/ loosen as desired. My mortice gauge came from my wife's grandfather and would probably be near 100 years old now, and the pins have all but worn away, and was becoming increasingly difficult to use. I've noted the comments about sticking stocks, and suggest before assembly you just take the time to clean out the hole with an emery board or something similat and put something like Briwax in there, and on the thread. I've just done this with mine and it slides easily along the stock. The second point is about fine setting, if you set it just finger tight (and light finger tight at that) then recheck your measurement. Slight movements up or down can then be carried out by tapping either the top or the bottom on your bench until the desired point is met. Then tighten up and recheck. Remember, a bad workman always blames their tools, and if used and maintained properly, something like this will give a life time of service.

Runs slightly small.

There are many minor issues with this tool, but it does work. The corners of the beam are sharp and benefit from a little rounding (and a bit of wax to help it glide). The locking screw is also roughly moulded plastic, with a definite seam line. This stops the locking action from being smooth, as the seam scrapes on the thread inside the shoulder. The final main issue is that the pins aren't especially sharp, and have been driven very tightly into the holes, which makes it very difficult to remove them for sharpening. Overall, the gauge works, but you'll definitely get a nicer tool elsewhere. A bit of work can improve it, though.

Needs a bit of wax polish to free things up, a gentle sand with an emery board or sandpaper glued to a lolly stick to ease the sharp edges. All in all a nice tool that should last a lifetime.

I consider my self semi-professional as a Jack of all trades.. and master of none.. ;-) would recommend this tool - I've used it to fit 5 lots of (Oak)door furniture and its very useful for marking using one or two pins for hinges and handles

Very sharp corners, not totally square. I put a bent in the brass slider so it has some resistance to moving. That makes it much easier to set. The pins need some work too. It the hole is too big you might need to glue in somme veneer too. But on the plus side, this is a very light easily manipulated gauge. I had a tropical hardwood gauge but that was heavy and clumsy in comparison.

Quoique je ne comprenne pas encore toutes les astuces des trois pointes, du beau matériel qui permet d'éviter des mesures, des équerres, des centimètres ... Avec un trusquin, c'est simple et immédiat. Je me fous de savoir à quelle distance doit se trouver le trou pour la cheville, je le rapporte et le marque au bon endroit; la pointe fait en sorte que la mèche à bois ne dévie pas. Quoi de plus facile ?

Really easy to use for tenon marking, a well made product.

love it

Pour la réalisation des tenons, enfourches, mortaises, rainures etc..... Identique à la photo. Je recommande fortement ce trusquin pour tout travaux de menuiserie, un allié idéal.