Hacklinger

**bernabe** · Jun-12-2012, 12:13pm

I have no financial interest however FYI I just noticed the Hacklinger gauge at Stew Mac is a closeout item at a pretty tasty price of $265.

**sunburst** · Jun-12-2012, 12:39pm

Still overpriced, if you ask me... (but wait, you didn't ask me... just ignore that...)

**Pribar** · Jun-12-2012, 3:17pm

A member has made a much better gauge than the hacklinger I think it sells for a similar price, a thread about it is here:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ighlight=gauge

**sunburst** · Jun-12-2012, 8:34pm

Yes, better in terms of useability, accuracy, and price, though somewhat less convenient "in the field".
I have a homemade "hack" that I pieced together mostly from junk lying around the shop that works nearly as well as a Hacklinger (with no need for electricity), and with some refinements, I believe I can get it to work much better than a Hacklinger.
It took a while, but I figured the outrageous price of a Hacklinger would drive them out of their own market eventually.

**Tony Francis** · Jun-13-2012, 3:08am

For what its work, I have owned a Hacklinger gauge for years and consider it an essential tool - whatever the price (more or less).

**grandcanyonminstrel** · Jun-15-2012, 11:40pm

Hacklinger guages are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY overpriced, flimsy, fragile, don't come in a case that protects anything but the sticker / logo, require two hands to operate, I hate the monopoly they have had on the trade for two decades, and I could go on about a few other things......

That said, in the last half dozen years, it has been so valuable to all aspects of my work that I'd gladly pay for it's weight in gold and feel like I was getting my money's worth. Regardlesss of this or the majic probe (a wonderful device that I also have here in the shop), or some other model, get one and use it every day. You'll wonder why you didn't step over into the darkside sooner.

j.
www.condino.com

**lsnyman** · Jun-16-2012, 12:32am

Originally Posted by sunburst

Yes, better in terms of useability, accuracy, and price, though somewhat less convenient "in the field". .

Hi John
In the interests of product development, what makes it less convenient in the field? Do you mean the fact that you cant carry it in your shirt pocket?

Thanks
Liam

**sunburst** · Jun-16-2012, 9:43am

Originally Posted by lsnyman

Hi John
In the interests of product development, what makes it less convenient in the field? Do you mean the fact that you cant carry it in your shirt pocket?

Thanks
Liam

Yep, pretty much. My Hack knockoff is strictly mechanical, not harmed by rain, cold, heat, needs no batteries, and can be carried in a pocket to the remote reaches of the campground at a festival to measure that Shmergle Devastator that just happens to show up. Further, if it does get damaged, I can whip out another using similar shop scraps.

**strings777** · Jun-16-2012, 9:51am

Originally Posted by sunburst

Yep, pretty much. My Hack knockoff is strictly mechanical, not harmed by rain, cold, heat, needs no batteries, and can be carried in a pocket to the remote reaches of the campground at a festival to measure that Shmergle Devastator that just happens to show up. Further, if it does get damaged, I can whip out another using similar shop scraps.

...just mentioning the Shmergle Devastator gives me chicken skin (aka goose bumps)!

**greg_tsam** · Jun-16-2012, 10:48am

Originally Posted by sunburst

Yep, pretty much. My Hack knockoff is strictly mechanical, not harmed by rain, cold, heat, needs no batteries, and can be carried in a pocket to the remote reaches of the campground at a festival to measure that Shmergle Devastator that just happens to show up. Further, if it does get damaged, I can whip out another using similar shop scraps.

Send me the plans, a confidentiality agreement and a contract and I'll build a nice supply that we'll sell for a bargain! Win-Win-Win for everyone.

**lsnyman** · Jun-16-2012, 11:21am

Ah see thats where we differ. In my dream, the shmergle owner already has a MAG-ic Probe on site because you left yours at home.
Btw, where do you locate your Save and Print buttons on your knockoff? :-)
Seriously though, one correction. Magnets are affected by changing temperature, so if your gauge uses magnets it will read differently when used in 2 different environments. You will probably never notice this when comparing on a graduated scale but with electronics you can see it clearly.

**sunburst** · Jun-16-2012, 11:58am

Yes, but I re-calibrate mine for each use (it's simple and quick, though it does require having a wedge-shaped piece of wood of known thickness on hand.)
As I see it, the MAG-ic Probe would be hard to beat for shop use, especially connected to my laptop, but sometimes low-tech is more to my liking.