Parallel Marking Gauge with Metric Scale

This is a sliding parallel marking gauge with a metric scale. It is very usefull in wood working to draw lines parallel to an edge.

You can download two sizes: A small ruler with a range of 150mm and a large one with 250mm. The small one fits the A1 mini, the large one needs a 256mm build size bed.

The ruler can be locked in position by a printed M12 bolt. The scale is quite precise but you need a calibrated printer for that. As most of you have a Bambu Printer, this will be no issue as these printers are very precise out of the box.

 

Print preparation:
Make sure that your print bed is clean and grease-free and use a quality brand filament. Calibrate you filament otherwise the scale will be hard to read and the slider can jam.

 

Print settings:

For all threaded parts use the 0.12mm layer profile. Turn on supports for the bolt but make sure that you do not use supports in the threads. Both threads must not have supports.

The ruler and the slider should be printed with the 0.2mm layer settings without supports. The sliding mechanism is a tight fit but with a Bambu printer and with calibrated filament this will be not a problem. If you want you can use candle wax for smoother sliding action.

I added a print profile for an A1 Mini and for A1/P1/X1. Take a look at the profile for more details.

An AMS is recommended to colour the scale but you can of course print everything in one colour without an AMS.

 

Assembly:

Deburr everything thoroughly, then assembly will be simple - put the ruler into the slider, then push the thread hexagon part from the bottom into the slider. This is a tight fit, you will need some force for that. Well, just slam it in… At last screw the bolt into the thread. Move the slider a few times to brake-in your new parallel marking gauge.

 

Update 2024-08-31
I heard you! You want a shorter threaded hexagon part to put more pressure on the ruler. No problem, I updated the STL and both print profiles. The threaded hex part is now 0.6mm shorter. 
 

And for the friends of imperial scales, I added an inch version of this gauge to makerworld:
Parallel Marking Gauge with Imperial Scale

 

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Disclaimer:
This work by blecheimer is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. The shown model must not be used commercially.
Copying this model to other 3D printing websites is not allowed without my permission.