Official Luthiers Forum!

Some one was interested in hieght gages not long ago. Here is a very siple but accurate gage. I like it becuase I have a flat table to work off of.
I got this from the GAL latest issue I think.
Cost about $15

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Super. Okay, where'd you get the guage.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Brilliant !

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Hi Bruce Enco has them cheap, as does MSC.
Enco probably has the better price but both have offerings in the $15 range. I had that one, it's a cheap one and it matches up on reading with my Starett mic.
I like this set up because I get in the middle of the plate which I couldn't do with a mic or calipers.
I might note that the back can come of with 4 screws and you can rotate it if necessary so it's in the right orientation to chuck in you spindle.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

sometimes harbour freight has them for 6.99 on sale.

the enco model is good value because it includes a wide range of contact tips to suit a range of applications.

the tips are also available separately for use on any other indicators you might have whose application would benefit from using a different style tip.

[QUOTE=crazymanmichael]sometimes harbour freight has them for 6.99 on sale.

the enco model is good value because it includes a wide range of contact tips to suit a range of applications.

the tips are also available separately for use on any other indicators you might have whose application would benefit from using a different style tip.[/QUOTE]

I found out that all those tips are not interchangeable.  I have an old Starrett set, and the tips will not fit others I have tried.  Maybe it's just that the Chinese ones don't use AS threading.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

i would not be at all surprised if the chinese used metric thread on their low cost indicators. i've never put one into a thread gauge to test it.

Jim, you just made me bruise my forehead again! I've been putting off making a thickness gauge because it would be just another tool/jig that I don't have room for. Excellent solution, since the drill press is already there.

I can't see how you've got the dial chucked in, though. A bolt through the back hole?

Looks like a simple solution. I'll have to see if I can figure how to attatch my digital dial indicator. Mine has a mounting hole but it mounts horizontal not vertical. If only the darn thing would spin but it won't. Good idea though.

Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

You can undo the back of the indicator with the 4 itty-bitty screws and rotate it 90 degrees. Then can but a bolt in it and chuck up on that.
I'm actually chucked up on a shaft that goes with a mag base however.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Although I just commented "brilliant " , on reflection I can see a flaw. If the piece you are measuring has a dip on it's underside , it'll give a wrong reading of the wood thickness , measuring the dip as well as the wood thickness. Other units measure directly under the dial tip

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Craig,

You're absolutely right, but that problem can be corrected by drilling a small hole in the table then making a removable button with a rounded top to give a true thickness measurement.

Al

Yup, That'll do it . Your a clever man Al

Cheers, Craig

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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I think it's a good idea not to have local divots in your top plates
But of course your right if you do have a little one on the underside you won't pick it up.
When I use it I apply light hand pressure to the top to remove any bow.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

[QUOTE=A Peebels]Craig,

You're absolutely right, but that problem can be corrected by drilling a small hole in the table then making a removable button with a rounded top to give a true thickness measurement.

Al[/QUOTE]

Actually, a carriage bolt works very well.  You might have to sand the lettering off the top of the head, but it makes a nice round surface.  If you wanted to elevate it, just put a wingnut above and below the table to hold it steady.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

We should be someone's high priced R&D team. .

Al

The "high priced" part sounds good Al

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Hey, I want a piece of that too!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

If you don't want to drill into your table for a bolt, you could buy or make a wood "button" and double-stick it under the gauge. Easy on, easy off.

This is all so darned simple...why didn't I think of it?

That's a good idea for measuring non flat plates like archtops.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

heres my entry in the simple effective guage hieght thread.




Cheers
Charliewood

oooopsy,..... thats "height guage" rather.
sorry
cw

You mean height gauge?

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

You're all wrong--it's a thickness gauge!

I like that, Charlie. What's that structure behind the dial unit itself? Looks different from any other I've seen.