Marking out is fundamental to cutting a perfect window mount and all Longridge systems include our unique, specially designed Marker Gauge to ensure that the process is as easy and accurate as possible.

The Marker Gauge is used in place of a simple ruler and pencil and results in greater accuracy, greater consistency and is much, much quicker.



Like all Longridge products, the Marker Gauge is under continuous development.  Our original gauge was made of wood and took its inspiration from a traditional woodworker’s gauge.

The current gauge, first  introduced in 2002, is made from modern engineered polymer materials.  This offers considerable advantages over wood in terms both of use and accuracy, as well as being stronger and more robust.

One major advantage is that the new gauge does not expand and contract with varying humidity.  With the wooden gauge, humidity often resulted in the wood expanding causing the block to jam on the shaft, whilst dryer conditions meant the wood contracted causing the block to become loose and wobbly.  We also found in practice that the thumb screw would after a time indent the wooden shaft compromising its accuracy.  Modern technological advances also enabled us to introduce the innovative twist and lock action of the  present Marker Gauge  which is not only quicker to use but also holds the block securely on the shaft.

Consistent accuracy

Making sure all the borders are equal is the key to great results and here the Marker Gauge really comes into its own.  Since each measurement is locked into the gauge and each line marked out with that setting of the gauge, then each border is bound to be accurate and consistent with the previous one. 

This is particularly vital when cutting double mounts  Here, the prime objective is that the windows are absolutely parallel to each other - difficult to achieve with accuracy with  just a rule and pencil. This is equally applicable to step mounts. Each step must be exactly the same and any slight size difference is very noticeable.  Again using the Marker Gauge ensures that each step exactly matches its partners.

With a dropped border, the bottom border is deliberately made a little wider than the top and sides.  This is to compensate for the apparent shortening of the bottom border if the artwork is hung from any kind of hook and does not lie completely flat against the wall.  Use of the Marker Gauge here again makes the marking out process quicker; the first three borders are marked out using the same gauge setting which is then simply increased slightly for the final bottom border.

Helpful hints

• Use a hard lead , eg 4H, when marking out.  The fine line it will produce gives a more accurate guide when cutting the window.
• An HB lead is too soft and will result in too thick a line.
  

• Use a half size pencil.  A full length pencil is too unwieldy, top heavy and is cumbersome to use.

For instructions on how to use the marker gauge please see  ‘How to cut a bevelled edge window mount’

Buy a Marker Gauge or Pencils