Dowel Stop Gauge

 

Dowel stop gauges are very simple to make and can be used for very accurate measurements. I came up with this idea because I thought it would give me an easy way to take, lock in and transfer measurements as well as many different sizes.  

I made many sets for my shop, painted them with a bright orange so they can easily be found.

The dowels that I use are available at most hardware stores, they usually come in four foot lengths. The ones I will be using are 1/4" and 1/2". To start I will copy the original one I made a couple of years ago and I will take it apart and get some measurements.

I like to use maple for the blocks, they are hardwood and hold up very well so I find a scrap piece of maple cut it 20 mm x 20 mm.  For the height, the blocks will be 30mm. The easiest way to cut small blocks is on the table saw with a sled.

The blocks can now be drilled for the 1/2"
dowel (button), and the hole should be 24 mm deep.        The 1/2" dowels are placed in the block                                                                                                     and a nut is used as a spacer for the spring.                                                                                              The blocks are laid on the side and are                                                                                                     drilled now using  1/4"bit.                                                                                        

I spray a coat of orange spray for the buttons and black for the blocks. I think this will help me find them in my workshop that is so full of wood!

The gauges are complete and the dowels can be exchanged to many different sizes. I like one at 1 foot and a larger one at 4 feet.




See also:

Make a lathe                                        Table saw safety feature                  Tool caddy