Butt gauge - unusual tool from yesteryear

[Noyade]

Cleaning out the shed and found this.

I had to Goggle it - wonderfully named - a Butt Gauge.

Anyone ever used one? I'm not sure why there are two arms.

Unlike the "General" brand in the video - this is Australian made - a SILEX No.34 Butt gauge.

[MitchellMc]

I haven't used one, @Noyade, but here are the instructions for a similar Stanley version.

Mitchell

[Noyade]

Thanks Mitch. @MitchellMc 

Interesting reading....👍

[Noyade]

Thanks again @MitchellMc for uploading those Stanley instructions.

I get the impression a small square and pencil would be just as good? - but then again, I don't hang many doors.

It belonged to my father, a carpenter/builder who I think dispensed with it very early in his career, into a sort of 'discarded box' which I inherited.

Cheers.

[MitchellMc]

A pencil will work, too, @Noyade. However, I believe a lot of marking was done in the old days with a knife as it breaks the top layer of timber fibres and begins a clean cut you'll follow with a chisel.

Mitchell

[Noyade]

"breaks the top layer of timber fibres"

I see your 'point.'

👍

I did plan on adding more obscure tools to the original titled thread - but maybe not? One for each maybe?

And sadly - I originally typed "Form" instead of "From."  Dear oh dear. 😔

[MitchellMc]

Very interesting @Noyade! Feel free to add them here, and I can adjust the title to suit.

I'm sure our members would all be keen to see some tools from yesteryear.

Mitchell

[oldschoolchippy]

I know this is an old thread , but I use my Stanley #95 Butt gauge whenever I hang a door , most accurate way to do it by hand , set the leaf thickness and width and away you go  , set out on door then on jamb and chisel away ,  I use my dads one that he purchased as a first year apprentice in 1935 , one of my favourite vintage tools I use in my heritage building restoration business , great post indeed mate , keep the old tools coming 

[JacobZ]

Hi @oldschoolchippy,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

I watch quite a few high-end furniture makers and carpenters on Youtube who use butt gauges to cut perfect joinery. I find it a bit odd that they aren't more common as they really are the best tool for marking outlines in timber.

It's fantastic to hear that your father's butt gauge is still getting used in your restoration projects all these years later.

Did you have a photo of your Stanley #95 Butt Gauge you could share? It'd be fantastic to see it. Let me know if you need a hand uploading images.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Jacob