Peter, mine is a standard height gauge with a carbide scriber. It allows true digital measurement (.001" accuracy) as well as analog, comparative measurement. Available from all measurement tool manufacturers (Mitutoyo, Starrett, Sharpe, and several others).
I have found that the scratches it makes are too fine for my bad eyes to see without some aid, so I pencil the marks in and leave them on the models for reference. Clearcoat right over them.
This is without doubt one of the two most indespensible tools in my shop during set-up. The other is the large triangle I have made out of plexiglas, which aligns stab to rudder post center line, and also fixes the parts while the epoxy cures.
Jim O, consider using the height gauge to scribe your zero lines for stab and wing, on both fuse sides. These will be as parallel as your reference building board is flat. Of course, on the Impact you are at the mercy of the factory installed tube sockets but for your own custom work, it serves extremely well.
regards
MattK
ORIGINAL: PeterP
Hi Matt,
I am back home after returning from a business trip and powering to get this model finished for our state champs. I know it will be a much better model than what I am flying as long as the tail doesnt flutter of. I think the brace will lick the problem [sm=lol.gif].
The height gauge was something I stumbled on in my workshop some time ago. The base assembly has a magnetic base which can be purchased from machine tool shops. I simply removed the extendable arm which was replaced with my exacto knife. It works even better than it looks.
Thanks for the compliments.
Cheers,
Peter