Introduction: DIY Digital Height Gauge
A quick jig can make the difference in a woodshop. This height gauge helps measure and set cutting tool heights and thicknesses for rabbets, dadoes, chamfers, etc. Since it incorporates a digital caliper, the dial is easy to read, precise and accurate.
This tool came in handy building the light box project – I hit the rabbet depth and thickness dead-on each time.
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Step 1: Tools & Materials
DIY Height Gauge
Materials:
- Small Clamp, either F- or C-style will work, but the clamp must clamp well. I find spring clamps don’t work.
- 2 #8 1-1/4” Wood Screws
- MDF, roughly 6”x10”, either 1/2” or 3/4” thick
- Calipers with a depth bar
Tools:
- Scroll saw or band saw
- Miter Saw
- Drill Press with 1-1/2” Forestner Bit
- Drill with Countersink & #2 Phillips Bit
Step 2: Assembly:
Assembly:
- Lay out the gauge on a piece of MDF. I have linked to a SVG & DXF for those readers with access to a CNC or laser cutter. You can also use this PDF to print out a template.
- Use a drill press to drill out the top of the cut out.
- Use a miter saw to cut the gauge into two halves.
- Use the scroll saw to trim the waste and complete the cut out.
- Drill two pilot holes, countersink and attach the halves with wood screws.
Step 3: To Use:
Use:
To use, clamp the fractional dial caliper to the upright. Set the gauge on the tool table. Then, drop the depth gauge so it touches the table surface.
Zero out the reading.
Reposition the height gauge over the tool itself.
Raise the tool itself until the dial reads the negative of your needed height.
Thank you for visiting my Instructable. To support for this site, please visit www.Woodshopcowboy.com, like WoodshopCowboy on Facebook or follow me on Instructables. Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.

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Build a Tool Contest 2017
3 Comments
5 years ago
You can aslo use this for a table saw!
5 years ago
A couple of questions:
What's the purpose of the shallow hole at the top of the shape? Is it to provide a secure spot for the foot of the clamp?
Where do you use the magnets? I'm assuming on the base to secure to the table top?
Reply 5 years ago
The original plan was to attach the caliper with rare-earth magnets. I picked up a cheap magnet hook from the hardware store to incorporate but found out it didn't work once I completed the stand. I left them out of instructions, but you can still see evidence in the construction.