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I've seen them used in a few cabinet making examples and they seem pretty indispensable. What about to us luthiers? Anyone here use one? As a hand tool lover I just think they look really cool! Wondering about their usefulness...
-John

Hi John,
you started me thinking about when and if I use a marking gauge. I used to use one constantly when I was building furniture, but I can't think of any particular step in guitar making where I use one now. I definitely use one when making jigs and fixtures, though. Good question, John. Anyone else have any thoughts?
Craig S.

John, I have to echo Craig's comments exactly. Possibly for laying out gross dimensions like the initial cuts on a neck blank a marking gauge might be useful. But I can't think of one time I reached for a mortising gauge while building guitars. Lots of times when building furniture...

Well guys... Thanks a bunch for the input. From both of your posts I gather that I could probably live without one. I'm sure I'll find an excuse to buy one someday though!

They certainly can be useful. I've got one wheel type gauge, a cheapie plastic marking gauge and a crown wooden marking/mortise gauge. One thing that I did which is very helpful is cut the pin on the marking gauges so that it's more of a cutting gauge than a marking gauge. Here's a few uses I've found:

Pre cutting "height" of bindings so that it won't tear out when routing

Center punching fret board side dots at the same level

Marking out and cutting bridges for bandura (much different from guitars)

Marking out the jigs etc.

I bought my gauges before I was building instruments but still use them a lot.

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