Measuring apparatus for planer

Abstract

A molded limit gauge for measuring workpiece thicknesses. The limit gauge includes a body having one or more elongate ridges extending longitudinally therealong. Each ridge has a plurality of notches extending laterally through its upper portion. Each notch has a unique longitudinal dimension that is uniform. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom surface of each notch and the land between each notch is horizontally flat. In a second preferred embodiment, each of these surfaces has a configuration of a laterally convex curve. The limit gauge body is configured such that it can be mounted atop a planing machine. So mounted, it can function as a structural top of the planing machine. Measurement of a board thickness is accomplished by attempting to slide the board through notches that appear to match its thickness. A range of board thickness is defined between the indicated sizes of two adjacent notches that respectively allow and do not allow passage of the board through. When a number of different workpieces, such as boards, are to be planed, they can readily be measured and sorted into similarly sized groups before being planed so that a minimum number of planing machine adjustments need be made. A third embodiment includes jaws that extend into the notches. The jaws are resiliently biased against workpieces inserted into notches. Their positions are indicated on a dial indicator to facilitate determining workpiece dimensions that differ somewhat from those of the notches.