Surface Gauge Pins

[MozamPete]

What are the two pins at the front of some surface gauges used for and how do you use them? I see that are not universal and some surface gauges seem to have them and others don't.

 

[rgray]

I always thought of that as the back end.
Pins are extended down to be used as guides along the edge of the surface plate.
Some of mine have 4 pins.

 

[4GSR]

They are also used to guide the surface gage on the tee slot on the mill, too.

 

[f350ca]

I use mine off the front edge of the mill table to align shafts sitting v blocks.

Greg

 

[4ssss]

It's to scribe a straight line when used with a straight edge.

 

[mmcmdl]

They are called toolmaker's surface gages and are used for the above reasons . Front or back doesn't really matter .