Ask Jon Eakes

Last Updated: Friday, April 29th, 2011, Created: Wednesday, September 15th, 1999

A thickness Gauge

The strange gadget that I brought to the TV studio this week was a magnetic thickness gauge for measuring thickness of panels when you can't see the edge. In the photo I am measuring the plywood in the bottom of the workbench tray. In one hand I am holding a magnet, which pushes up the measuring rod and tells us that the magnet is exactly 1/2 inch away from the bottom of the gauge -- hence the plywood is 1/2 inch thick.

The tollerence was about +/- 1/16", probably one reason why I can't find this Timber Check Mag Caliper for sale any more.  But if you are looking for a really precise magnetic measuring device, actually designed for making musical instruments, check out www.InstrumenTool.com.  They are working to +/- 1mm.

Keywords: Magnets, Measuring, Plastic, Techniques, Tools, Wood, Woodturning, Woodworking

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