Official Luthiers Forum!

Well, I need some. I've been using the ones at college up until now, but I won't have that option much longer!
What do you guys used? Home made? Shop bought?

Pictures/tips for home made ones would be much appreciated. Likewise links to cheap suppliers of the proper thing

I just use a pair of digital calipers that I picked up at Harbor Freight. I think they were about $25.00

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Oops, sorry Jammy, I didn't realize before posting that you were in the U.K. I would just do a google search for digital calipers and see what is available on your side of the pond.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

there are some photos in the archives. all one needs are a cheap dial indicator, a carriage bolt, and a plywood or metal horseshoe shaped frame. if you can i would recommend that you get a set of alternative tips for the dial indicator. a wide curved or flat one works better than the small round one which comes standard. on thie side of the pond enco sells the indicator with the set of alternative tips for about $12.00

I made my own from a couple pieces of MDF and a thickness dial indicator, I wish I'd taken my time a lttle more, but hey, it works

 

I couldn't see myself spending the money at the time for a professional one, but Stewmac has one for sale now a little cheaper than when I made mine..

I think it took me about 1/2 hr to make . I'm sure you'll see some nicer home mades!

 

Cheers

I made one that is similar to Irwin's. Since you're in the UK you could get your dial gauge from Axminster, assuming you want metric. I got one of those, and it works well.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Jammy, Arnt is right you can get dial guages from Axminster, or if you just Google them you'll find plenty of UK suppliers. I made my own thickness gauge many years ago, took about half an hour including varnishing the wood.



AS you can see just a U cut from thick plywood with the dial gauge and a bolt with the end rounded off. I like the fact that it can be held securely in a vice and the board just run between the opening.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

if you use a carriage bolt the smooth rounged head makes a very good anvil surface for the stock to ride on and avoids the extra work of rounding the threaded end.

one tip; drill your mounting holes using a fence and a positioning stop before you cut out the inside of your horseshoe. makes for more accurate concentricity of your gauge and anvil.

I made this a few years ago with scrap I had lying around . It's completely over the top , ,,,I know

I have it graduated in metric and it has many adjustments to recallibrate .

Had a lot of fun building it ,and it always puts a smile on my dial when I use it.


Craig Lawrence

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Craig, that it fantasitc! Detail pictures please!

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Craig! That is so Cool!!! Like Arnt said, some close in shots would be great!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Cheers guys. I haven't any detailed pics here at the moment . I'll try and arrange some .

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Mate that thickness guage should be in the National Art Gallery