Mind Upon Mind: Stick Diameter Gauge
A simple stick diameter gauge for checking the size of long sticks before fitting them into an armbow.

A recent submission to our Mind Upon Mind series has caught our attention. David Farnum, from Greer, South Carolina, has shared a clever solution to a common challenge when working with long sticks - ensuring a good fit in the armbow.
## A Simple Solution
One of the challenges Farnum faced was getting a good fit for the stick in the armbow. To overcome this, he created a simple stick diameter gauge using a piece of maple. The gauge consists of a series of notches cut a tiny bit wider than what's labeled.
## Easy to Use
The gauge is designed to make it quicker and easier to check the size of the stick. By making the slots a little bigger, Farnum can avoid overshooting and fine-tune the last little bit with a scraper or block plane. This approach eliminates the risk of the stick getting jammed, as often happened when using a mortised 2x scrap.
## A Time-Saving Solution
Farnum's stick diameter gauge is a testament to the power of creative problem-solving. By repurposing a piece of maple, he has created a tool that saves time and reduces the risk of errors. This simple solution is a great example of how a little ingenuity can go a long way in improving our woodworking processes.
## A Solution Worth Sharing
Farnum's stick diameter gauge is a great addition to our Mind Upon Mind series. It's a reminder that there's often room for improvement, and that sharing our ideas and experiences can help others overcome similar challenges. If you have a clever solution to share, we'd love to hear from you - email us at [email protected] to submit your idea.





