Make a Dovetail Marking Gauge With Hand Tools

Let me describe how I made this gorgeous Dovetail Marking Gauge, using just hand tools.

If you want to make one, you'll need the following materials and tools:

Materials

Hardwood (I used African Blackwood and African Padauk)
Wood Glue (I used Titebond III, but anything that sticks wood is fine)

Tools

Workbench of some sort with planing stop and vice
Bench hook
Shooting board
Hand plane
Cutting Gauge
Try Square
Bevel Gauge
Rule
3/16" Chisel (or smaller) or a small router plane
Pencil

If you prefer a video, then I have one here:

https://youtu.be/1PkYvJIcTAg

Step 1: Thickness Wood

I chose 3/16" for my finish dimension, so ripped my wood a little over this thickness to begin with, then planed it true at 3/16"

Step 2: Cut Fence and Blade to Length

The fence is the part which sits on the end grain when marking dovetails, and it should have both ends square to it's length. Mark to length ( 1-1/2" is good), and saw.

The blade is the part that hangs against the long grain when marking dovetails, and it should have ends that are sloped at the required dovetail angle(s). I chose to make mine 1:6 on one end, and 1:8 on the other. Set out the slope using the rule and pencil, then copy with the bevel gauge. Now use the bevel gauge to mark the blade ends, before sawing to length.

Step 3: Shoot Blade Slopes

Make an auxillary-fence for the shooting board that gives the dovetail angles you desire. For me, that was one end with 1:6, and the other with 1:8.

Then shoot the ends of the blade nice and clean.

Step 4: Make Groove for Blade in Fence

Measure the width of the fence, minus the thickness of the blade. From that, mark a groove for the blade down the centre of the fence using a cutting gauge.

Now using either a chisel, or a small router plane, cut the groove. Use the cutting gauge to deepen the side cuts as you go.

A depth of about 1/16 should be fine.

Check that the blade fits snugly.