How come this never worked?

How come this never worked? · 11-06-2009, 08:36 PM

In the "Too cute to pass up" thread there is mention of a cool marking gauge:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...,64313&p=64313

I thought I'd be clever and make my own out of a piece of dowel rod and such.

First to make the circular cutter. I double-nutted a suitably sized, grade 8 washer all the way down a bolt. Chucked the assembly into a drill press and lowered it down (spinning) onto a file clamped to the drill press platform at a 20 degree angle. I was hoping to efffectively file a sharp edge on the washer. Don't try this at home.

Well, it filed a nice bevel but it is as sharp as a bowling ball. Tried another file and then 3 different oil-stones. Still not sharp. Tried a regular washer - same deal. Do these cutters really need to be a special metal?

Cheers

Gotcha6 · 11-06-2009, 08:50 PM

Why not use either a pipe cutter replacement wheel or a glass cutter wheel? Either would be hard enough to hold an edge. Washers are typically softer metal to have a 'give' to them so they will hold tension on the bolt thread.

mbeach · 11-06-2009, 09:00 PM

why dont you just buy the replacement blade on that site for 3 dollars and then make the tool yourself??

Mad Dog · 11-06-2009, 09:16 PM

Dennis - good idea - I'll check out lowes and see if they have any next time I'm there.

Mike - yeah, I thought of that but then you have to pay the postage and then you might as well get the tool as well, ha! Besides, I was hoping to make a bunch of these cheap and give them out to all my friends (OK, friend).

Cheers

McRabbet · 11-06-2009, 11:06 PM

I just got mine delivered to my door late yesterday -- both the Minature Shoulder Plane and the double ended Marking Gauge... The shoulder plane comes in a nice felt lined aluminum case and is 2-1/2" long with fine adjustment of it's .060" thick A2 steel blade. The marking gauge is 4-1/2" long and the cutters recess into the adjustable Gauge faces. Both are very finely crafted.

froglips · 11-07-2009, 07:41 AM

Rob, major micro-envy

I've almost been badly hurt filing something chucked in a drill press, caution is key.

You might try other sources of tool steel, such as old circular saw blades. For this size, even busted bandsaw or sawzall blades could work.

Or, try sharpening the head of a bolt or screw.

Now thats a thought, I'll get back to you on that! I have me some unloved screws lying around and way too much free time

Jim