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These four making gauges were made from brass ones that I purchased. I turned down the brass to my original dimensions and then turned the wood cover from exotic woods to dress them up. I was told by a friend that African black wood is " chiippy"...that it is brittle and chips break off. I did not find that to be the case with it but I thought I would look up the Janka hardness numbers on all of these for comparison.
The first one is Osage Orange from Ohio USA ( Janka 2620) Next is Cocobola from Mexico (Janka2960). Next is Jarrah from W Australia (Janka1400) and last is African Blackwood from S Africa ( Janka 3760).
For comparison Aspen is Janka 380.

They are finished with EEE and Shellawax

Cheers, Jim

Here is what I turn them down to:


Here is a nice video from Rob Cosman showing the use of a marking gauge:

Gallery

Comments

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Beautiful!

I've use African Black Wood for knife scales. Finishes so nice.
 

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Beautiful - In the first picture, the first marker looks like Osage orange and the second one looks like Canary
 

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Those are dandies Jim.
 

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Real beauties!! Very fine tool!
 

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I sure like the looks of them Jim, the woods are awesome. I'm saving my little pieces, I just don't know what for yet.
 

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Nice job, job, job and job, JJ. Was wondering how you got those measurements etched… Steady hand I assume, however, the underlying questions is… "Before or after the vino/fire-water?"
 

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Don't you get a little bored with being so doggone good at everything?
 

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Very nice Jim! Hard to pick a favorite they all look so good!
 

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Nice job Jim, like your selection of woods.
 

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I like the design of the wooden handle, keeps you fingers from sliding. I may have to change mine.
Nice work Jim.
 

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Thank you all for the nice comments. I made a correction in the types of wood. I was sent 2 pieces of wood and I thought they were both canary wood, but the first one I pulled was Osage Orange, so I corrected the wording. The Canary wood will but used for the next ones! I also added a video from Rob Cosman on using the marking gauge.

Hi Dick. thanks for finding that error! The Canary is coming!

Hi Alex. I bought commercial brass gauges and modified them. They came with the graduations .

Cheers, Jim
 

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Well made. If I didn't buy and expensive commercial one I would love to own one of yours.
The African Black is a tough one at Janka hardness of 3760lbs.
My favorite is the second from lett. The grain is the best.
Your like a one man factory! :)-)
 

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Thanks, James. I like to keep busy all day. If I'm not working on something I get bored. I don't watch "commercial" TV so I'm on You tube a lot. I watched Rob Cosman cutting dove tails today …again ..and he makes it look so easy.

Cheers, Jim
 

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Would be proud to own any of them. Excellent job !!! Mel
 

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I watched Rob Cosman cutting dove tails today …again ..and he makes it look so easy.
- Jim Jakosh
'greed JJ, watching videos is easy… me cutting dovetails manually is the hard part.
 

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Super nice work Jim.
 

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Thanks Mel and swirt!

Hi Alex. I tried cutting some just before watching the video. I forgot the part where he shifted the wood and marks the cuts with the saw blade. That is so clever. and I need a back saw. I was cutting them with a Japanese flush cut pull saw. The heavier saw will make a difference. I'd like to get good at it. I don't know if that will ever happen to an old dog like me??

Cheers, Jim
 

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they are all very beautiful but i would pick #4 picture as a favorite GREAT JOB :<)) GRATZ TOP 3
 

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Thanks,Tony. Mine too!!

Cheers, Jim
 

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... i would pick #4 picture as a favorite…
- GR8HUNTER
Hmmm? I'd still pick #1… picture #4 is a tad out of focus.
 
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