Winding sticks are essential in the dimensioning of rough lumber. They are used to exaggerate any twist or "wind" in the work piece. The white inlays on the rear stick help identify this defect. Once a common craftsman made tool, today many woodworkers are unaware of winding sticks. The sticks I offer are 20 inches long, 2 inches wide and taper from 5/8 at the bottom to 1/4 at the top. The taper helps keep them stable in the up right position. Both sticks have center finding white polyester resin inlays and the rear stick uses the same material for the top corners. The sticks are made from straight and stable quatersawn hardwood. They may need to be trued from time to time to maintain their accuracy.

This is the same dovetail gauge Rob uses in his videos The gauge is made from a single piece of Eastern Rock Maple, one side is used for softwood dovetails with a 1:6 rake (6) and the other side is used for hardwood dovetails with a 1:7 rake (7). The top of the gauge is wide enough to mark a square line across the end grain of 3/4 inch material, thus allowing the angled face and the squared end to be marked with one continuous stroke.

Another traditional shop made tool is the panel gauge. Used to scribe a parallel line on wide panels this tool makes for tremendous precision. I make these using Eastern Rock Maple and Black Walnut with a Cocobolo wedge. One end uses a fixed 5/8 diameter sharpenable round cutting wheel and the other end allows you to clamp in place a pen or pencil. The stick portion of the gauge is 21 inches long.