Depth Gauge

[Gregory]

I recently saw a depth gauge used on one of the YouTube rifle building sites.  It seems to be a useful tool so naturally I want one.  A computer search gave me dozens of choices.  So first is a depth gauge really helpful  and if so which one fits what we do.  Please note I am a novice.
Thanks,
Greg

[tallbear]

I have a couple of these made by a member here ,David Crisalli,...http://www.luckybag.us/BrassDepthGauge.html  They are the best !!

Mitch

[Dave Marsh]

I agree with Mitch.  I have one I use all of the time.   

Dave

[WadePatton]

Simple to make too.  slide, reference face, lock.

I made one after seeing what my guru was using (he had made).  Got the hole wonky in mine, and the slide is a bit big, so it's not used much.   Lately, I've been using what a well-known maker uses at his bench in some video productions--the brass extension of a folding ruler.  I'd long had a folding rule, but had only used the extension for inside measurements.  Now I keep one on the bench.

Having a scale on the gauge isn't always necessary but can be handy from time to time.


Dave makes great stuff, I'll have to remember to get one of those the next time some money flows by me.

[EC121]

I bought one of Dave's and had him engrave it.  It is a really nice tool.  The only mod I would want would be another hole on the end of the base plate to allow it to bridge the barrel channel and not wobble when measuring on the side of the forend.

[Clark Badgett]

I use a Starrett Vernier depth gauge I found at a junk store for $15. It's very accurate and probably overkill, but it was very cheap. They are just north of $500 new. In fact I found 2 sets that day and a dial parallel gauge for just over $60 OTD.

[flehto]

All through the years of  gun building, I used a depth mike calibrated in .001s....these were purchased when I was a toolmaker. Used them {have 2} for accurately measuring dovetail depths, for laying out pin holes for bbl lugs and RR pipes, and for determining web thicknesses  and other varied purposes.  No longer build MLers so thought of selling them, but perhaps there isn't enough interest.  The depth gage looks like a quality product.....Fred

[Scota4570]

My most used tool is a set of Mitutoyo digital 6" calipers with carbide jaws.  Calipers include a depth gauge.  They also have a zero reset so you can get relative measurements without doing math.  The carbide jaws also make a scribe.  You can measure inside and outside diameters as well as lengths.  I could not get along without them.

Yes, they are expensive. Worth every penny IMHO.

I have traditional micrometers, micrometer depth gauges, dial calipers, and vernier calipers.  I rarely use any of them.   

[xx54]

I too have the same dial caliper as 4570 cant be beat' the carbide jaws are a + for marking metal.   

[davec2]

EC121,

Mark where you want the other hole and send the base plate back to me.  I'll add the other hole....

PM me and I'll give you an address to send it to.

Dave C

[thecapgunkid]

You have all the good advice you need here and that brass tool is really something.  If I build again I will get one.

If you are just starting to build, then think about an ordinary tire tread depth gauge.  I glued a pop sickle stick with a hole in it to get the width needed and it works well.

Smarter, continuous builders ought to have the one on the website, tho.

[Tim Crosby]

 Had one, couldn't find it, so I made this up. Simple and quick. Never did find the other one.

  Tim C.

[Pukka Bundook]

My "depth gauge"   is a nail hammered through some yellow pine. 
I use it in barrel channels to mark the bottom of the barrel on the outside of the stock where the pin for the lug needs to be.
The sharpened head of the nail is used to make a slight mark for the centre -punch.
To use it, I set the nail well out of the pine, and press down in the barrel channel.
This pushes the nail into the pine and gives exactly the bottom of barrel measurement. This is then transferred to the outside of the stock, and  a slight score made.  Punch-mark then made a shade below the score.

Useless for dovetails though!  ...but I use a hacksaw and don't measure those.

Tim,
 Mine works just like yours really, but makes a mark with nail head.

[Gregory]

Thanks to all of you for the informative replies.  The brass one really looks neat and useful so I'll probably get one of them.
Greg

[Tim Crosby]

 His Big Brother with a nail in his head.

[WadePatton]

My most used tool is a set of Mitutoyo digital 6" calipers ...Yes, they are expensive. Worth every penny IMHO.

I have traditional micrometers, micrometer depth gauges, dial calipers, and vernier calipers.  I rarely use any of them.

My MItutoyos are vernier, and were free because no one at my pal's work (besides him, the boss) would learn to read them.  I love 'em because there's no battery (had a Starrett that ate batteries constantly), and dual scales--sometimes I work in mm (a bicycle thing).

But many times no scale is needed, only relativity.

[WadePatton]

EC121,

Mark where you want the other hole and send the base plate back to me.  I'll add the other hole....
...
Dave C

But this right here is what often makes dealing directly with the maker a joy. 

Bless their hearts but the catalog stores simply cannot be so responsive.

You go Dave!

[EC121]

EC121,

Mark where you want the other hole and send the base plate back to me.  I'll add the other hole....

PM me and I'll give you an address to send it to.

Dave C

Dave, I appreciate the offer, but I would hate to ruin the nice engraving.  I have some keystock that will make one like Tim CRosby's .

Brice

[davec2]

EC121,

I forgot that your depth gage was engraved....   PM me with your mailing address and I will send another base plate with the hole off set to one end.

Davec2

[Scota4570]

My most used tool is a set of Mitutoyo digital 6" calipers ...Yes, they are expensive. Worth every penny IMHO.

I have traditional micrometers, micrometer depth gauges, dial calipers, and vernier calipers.  I rarely use any of them.

My MItutoyos are vernier, and were free because no one at my pal's work (besides him, the boss) would learn to read them.  I love 'em because there's no battery (had a Starrett that ate batteries constantly), and dual scales--sometimes I work in mm (a bicycle thing).

But many times no scale is needed, only relativity.

Modern Mitutoyos are solar powered!  Mine use a battery every couple of years and I leave it on a lot.

I can not read a a veneer scale without magnification.  I find them interesting and quaint, but not practical, like a slide rule. 

Scot

[elkhorne]

Anyone got a source for the Mitutoyos vernier caliper you all are giving the good reviews of on this discussion. Anymore, good tools are worth the premium they cost these days. Thanks.
elkhorne

[davec2]

EC121,


OK.....I made you the off set shoe for the depth gage.....and then I realized that if I left it plain it would look a little stupid next to the engraved version.  So I took the liberty of engraving it a little to match the original.  I will get it in the mail to you on Monday....

Dave C

[J. Talbert]

Now that's what I call customer service.

Dave, I don't know how you find time to sleep. 

Jeff

[davec2]

Jeff,

Sleeping is like being dead.... and I’m going to be dead long enough. I don’t think I need practice. 

[J. Talbert]

Dave, you make a great point.

Jeff