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.
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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



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