Hello all)
Just my quick review of limited stock Lee Valley marking gauge:
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=72076&cat=51&ap=1
The price was OK so I decide to give it a try.
First impression after opening – very well packed with two silicon bags to control moister -> nice
I dismantled gauge, everything’s tight, locking mechanism locks beam very well. I changed original pencil to mine. I checked accuracy of the gauge ruler -> accurate.
Let the test begin:
Pencil locking mechanism looks sturdy and tight, but in some cases pencil is moving, not much but still. Too much time spent on adjusting length of the protraction of the pencil. After a couple of lines my sharp pencil started drawing fat lines….hm. I gave it a try on different stock (6″ maximum) – it’s working nice fat lines… what for? My first reaction was to change pencil with precision hobby knife, but I already have marking gauges. For rough lumber you can use combination square. My conclusion: if you can live without this tool I think you should skip it.
Too much time adjusting the protraction of the pencil, pencil draws very fat lines. I hope you find this helpful, I’ll probably return mine.
Cheers