CrownTools 154 Mortise Gauge with Screwslide

Construction is below average for the price. Materials are OK, but the parts were not properly constructed.

Set screw doesn't come all the way through, so you cant lock the gauge in place, and the tail screw has close to 1/4" of play in in. So even if it could lock in place the measurements could be wildly inaccurate.

I am disappointed with the quality of this gauge. The movement of the screw slide mechanism is rough and the fit up of the arm is very loose. This gauge is overpriced, given the workmanship.

I never really could see a use for one of these for the money but I was wrong. I've got my money's worth in the first two days it arrived. Great for marking mortise and tenons for a start but so many other projects. It's more accurate than a pencil and it leaves a little dent in the wood for an easier starting point. Very high quality. Highly recommend.

Worthless! The top screw doesn’t lock the slide in place. Also, there is so much play in the end screw that the pin setting is unreliable. Looks good, but worthless.

Excelent

Purchased one of these through Lee Valley. The overall build quality is nice as is the fit and finish. Previously I was using the cheap  iGaging Marker  and figured this would be better. I was very disappointed in the marking pin's performance though especially on cross-grain cuts. It leaves a very coarse, torn-out groove even when held at a low angle of attack. Totally unacceptable as compared to the nice clean cuts delivered by the cutting-style gauge. When used with the grain the pins leave a cleaner mark yet can still be swayed by wavy grain.