Surface Gauges

[Nelson]

There are several surface gauges for sale on Ebay- Starrett and other nice brands- so I was of course wondering- is this something I need for my home shop?

If so, what is it really good for in the home shop context?

Thanks,

Nelson

 

[Tony Wells]

I've never really found a use for them in my career. I'm sure there are places that it would be helpful, and I do have one (or two??), but it's not been any help to me in what I do. I can see it used in patternmaking, modeling, and things that require a bit of comparative layout work. Maybe when I get started in my clockmaking play, I'll find a use.

Having no idea what you already have, I couldn't say whether or not there might be more useful tools, or more immediate needs that you have.

 

[Nelson]

Doesn't sound like something I really need- they are going for like $25 so i thought to consider it, but, I probably would be better off getting a depth mic or something else I can use.

Thanks,

Nelson

 

[Hawkeye]

Here's a picture of my surface gauge.


I picked up a bar of cast iron at the scrappers a week or two ago. I got it to make the sliders for a taper attachment, but I figured I'd use the shaper to make the base for a nice-looking surface gauge. It's amazing how long it takes to cut this stuff when you slow the bandsaw down to 96 SFM.

 

[4GSR]

About the only place I've use my surface gage is to indicate/align parts on the mill. Back when I had my Reed Prentic No. 5 vertical mill, I use my large surface gage quite often for setting up and indicating parts in for milling.

Also used them on the surface plate to check runout on round parts/shafts.

 

[Tom Griffin]

If you have a height gauge you don't need a surface gauge. Otherwise, they are used for layout and are handy for holding an indicator on the surface plate or machine table. I think I might have one...somewhere.

Tom

 

[sic semper tyrannis]

I used my old starret Surface gauge (SG) this afternoon for two things.

First I centered the cutting height by getting the height of a dead center with the SG and then transferring that to the cutting tool. SImple and quick.

Second I was mounting the casting for my stuart steam engine in a 4 jaw. You have a rough cast exterior that you center it to. No way I am going to put the "last word" on the rough cast. So I used the SG and eyeballed it against the outside edge of the casting. Worked great.

I love the old tools with patina.

 

[TOOLNUT]

Surface gauge or paperweight ?

Yes, a surface gage is a carry over from the early days of the trade.
We can still find some uses for it but for the most part we adapt it to a modern use, mostly for indicating and rough checks for a setup in progress. Can be handy for quick setting when checking and layout things.
However a height gage is the way to go if you are after accuracy.
Jerry