Thickness punch

Hi,
Here is my latest tool, for instrument making, but can be used for any kind of precise woodworking :

http://www.labellenote.fr/file/Luthe...paisseur_0.JPG

It is a punch with a hardened steel point, that is intended to mark the wood, after roughing out, to the desired thickness, in order to guide the planing and scraping.
When the marks disappear, you are at the good thickness.

This tool could be found in Stradivari's shop at the golden age of violin makers and is very accurate, far better than the common way used nowadays which is to use the drill press ...

My version has some personal touches :

http://www.labellenote.fr/file/Luthe...paisseur_1.JPG
Some ebony turned knobs.

http://www.labellenote.fr/file/Luthe...aisseur_12.JPG
A flat anvil for flat pieces, like this violin side (must be calibrated to 1.1 mm)

http://www.labellenote.fr/file/Luthe...paisseur_6.JPG
and also a rounded one for curved surfaces like violin plates. You just need to remove the flat cap.

http://www.labellenote.fr/file/Luthe...paisseur_4.JPG
On the stop side, I have added a couple of steel stops, with a rounded face, it gives a clear "clap" when you reach the desired depth, and you don't have it if the wood is too thick.

http://www.labellenote.fr/file/Luthe...paisseur_8.JPG
This knob is a lock nut that stops the point in position. The brass part goes through the ebony and is tapped. It is pinned in the wood.

http://www.labellenote.fr/file/Luthe...paisseur_7.JPG
And here you see the reason for the thickness gauge I presented yesterday.

http://www.labellenote.fr/file/Luthe...aisseur_10.JPG
An example of the marks it leaves on the wood.

Voilà,
Christophe

I can only say Wonderful.

WOW and WOW again...........:O)

Thanks Paulo and Cap'tain :)

Thanks Christophe! I've added your Thickness Punch to our Measuring and Marking and Woodworking categories, as well as to your builder page: Christophe Mineau's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="/thickness-punch"><img src="/uploads/100752/thickness-punch.jpeg" alt="Thickness Punch" /></a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="/thickness-punch">Thickness Punch</a> <span> by <a href="/builder/Christophe+Mineau">Christophe Mineau</a></span> </div> <div class="tags"> tags: <a href="/tag/marking">marking</a>, <a href="/tag/punch">punch</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Amazing, a replica of a tool from the time of Stradivari. Thanks for the contribution, Christophe!