New marking gauge arrived. The Veritas wheel gauge is worth every penny.
Replaced my old Stanley marking gauge with the Veritas wheel-style version, and the difference in precision is remarkable. Sometimes upgrading hand tools makes more difference than upgrading power tools.
Why the Upgrade
The old pin-style gauge worked, but it tore the wood fibers instead of cutting them cleanly. On figured maple or any cross-grain work, the line was fuzzy and hard to follow. Fine for rough layout work, but not acceptable for joinery where I need precision.
The Veritas uses a beveled wheel that actually cuts the fibers like a tiny knife. The resulting line is crisp and visible, even on difficult grain patterns.
First Impressions
Build quality is exceptional. The brass hardware, micro-adjust mechanism, and overall fit and finish justify the price point. The thumbscrew lock holds the setting without any drift, which was always an issue with my old gauge.
Tested it marking mortise locations on a set of white oak table legs. The wheel cut clean lines on both passes, giving me precise references for chopping. No more second-guessing where the mortise walls should be.
Learning Curve
Takes a light touch compared to a pin gauge. Too much pressure and you’ll score too deep; too little and the wheel skips. Found the sweet spot after about a dozen test marks on scrap. Now it’s second nature.
Some tools are worth the investment. This is one of them.
