Thread: How to measure 1/3 using a marking gauge?

Take a ruler and use it diagonally on the board.

Lets say the board is a weird width. Totally arbitrary.

Lay 0cm on one side and 12cm* mark on the other side. Mark at the 4cm and 8cm mark.

Your board is now exactly 1/3rd without knowing its width.

Set the marking gauge to that line.


edit....

* 12cm is itself arbitrary. Im also assuming the board is less than 12cm in width! Twelve is simple to divide into 3. Use any other number depending on the thickness of the board.... 3cm, 21cm, 30cm.... matters not.

Obviously one can use this for other divisions.... doing three dovetails and need 6 equal spacings over a board that is 13.68cm wide? Eeek!... just lay the ruler so it is at 18cm (0cm one side, 18cm the other) and mark each 3 cm. Use a right angle to transfer the marks to the end.

Here's a visual explanation

I would cut as close as possible to the 1/3 size. Then put the boards on edge and run them through a thicknesser.