MasterGage

What MasterGage does

MasterGage Corporation, founded in 1996 by U.S. Air Force veteran and mechanical engineer P.J. Reilly, designs and manufactures precision alignment and calibration tools for woodworking machinery. The company is a small family-owned business headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California, operating with 1-10 employees and manufacturing over 95% of its products in the USA. MasterGage holds eight design patents from the USPTO, and sells exclusively through its own e-commerce site (mastergage.com) with no third-party distributors or resellers.

The company's core product portfolio centers on two flagship systems—the Professional Package ($459) and Classic Package ($259)—both engineered around CNC-machined aircraft-quality aluminum extrusions with laser-etched multi-scale measurement (fractional inches to 1/32", decimal inches to 0.020", millimeters to 1/2mm, and angular degrees to 1/2°), achieving alignment accuracy within 0.001 inches and angular accuracy to 1/4 degree (15 minutes of arc). Supporting products include the SuperBar miter-slot alignment tool, MasterPlate aluminum calibration plate, 1-2-3 MicroGage, Universal Angle Guide, Planer Blade Setting Gauge, and an extensive accessory ecosystem of dial indicators, extensions, tips, magnetic bases, and Memory Links. Proprietary features include the patented Instant Recall memory link system, knife-edge protractor that fits between carbide saw blade teeth, and T-slot rare-earth (neodymium boron) magnet mounting architecture, enabling compatibility with 18+ types of woodworking machinery including table saws, jointers, planers, routers, drill presses, band saws, and shapers.

MasterGage operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model with all revenue generated through one-time hardware sales; there are no subscription or recurring revenue streams. Pricing spans $5 (small extensions) to $459 (Professional Package), with a 30-day money back guarantee and one-year warranty supporting purchase confidence. Customers are predominantly professional woodworkers (artisans, custom home builders, finish carpenters, cabinetry fabricators, production furniture manufacturers) and serious hobbyists across North America, with international shipping available. The business is founder-controlled with no institutional investors, has never raised external funding, and continues to operate as a lifestyle business with editorial coverage in Wood Magazine, American Woodworker, and Woodworker's Journal, plus recurring YouTube endorsements from woodworking influencer Stumpy Nubs (2018-2022).

Name

MasterGage

Legal name

MasterGage Corporation

Website

https://mastergage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MasterGage Corporation designs and manufactures precision alignment and calibration tools for woodworking machinery, selling directly to professional and enthusiast woodworkers via its e-commerce site. The founder-led, family-owned business offers patented measurement systems achieving 0.001-inch accuracy, with over 95% US-manufactured products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Woodworking precision alignment and calibration tools

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK)

Keywords

• Precision alignment tools
• Woodworking calibration tools
• Machine measurement gauges
• Table saw accessories
• Precision dial indicators

Headquarters

HQ city

Thousand Oaks

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Precision Tool Hardware Sales: MasterGage generates revenue through direct sales of precision alignment tools and accessories. Products are sold as one-time purchases (one-time_license model). No recurring revenue streams are mentioned. Products include main tool packages (Professional Package $459, Classic Package $259), specialized tools (SuperBar $69, MasterPlate $73, 1-2-3 MicroGage $119), and accessories (dial indicators, extensions, magnetic bases, carrying cases). All parts are precision made and interchangeable, allowing for replacement part sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MasterGage designs, engineers, manufactures (over 95% in the USA), and distributes direct-to-consumer a portfolio of precision calibration and alignment tools and accessories used by woodworkers to align, calibrate, tune, set up, and troubleshoot woodworking machinery such as table saws, jointers, planers, routers, drill presses, band saws, and shapers. Core flagship offerings include the MasterGage Professional Package ($459) with patented Instant Recall, the Classic Package ($259), and supporting tools such as the SuperBar, MasterPlate, 1-2-3 MicroGage, Universal Angle Guide & Height Gauge, and Planer Blade Setting Gauge, plus an extensive line of dial indicators, extensions, magnetic bases, and tips.

Product overview

MasterGage is a precision alignment and calibration tool company serving woodworkers. The product portfolio centers on two flagship tool systems—the Professional Package ($459) and Classic Package ($259)—both offering multi-scale measurement capabilities for aligning, calibrating, and setting up woodworking machinery. The Professional Package distinguishes itself with a protractor featuring "Instant Recall" memory links for angle and height measurements. Supporting these core systems is a comprehensive line of precision tools including the 1-2-3 MicroGage for compact measurements, MasterPlate aluminum calibration plates, SuperBar miter slot alignment tools, Universal Angle Guide for angle transfers, and the Planer Blade Setting Gauge for planer knife alignment. The product ecosystem includes numerous dial indicators, extensions, tips, and magnetic accessories designed to work together across MasterGage's main tool platforms, enabling woodworkers to achieve machine shop tolerances (within thousandths of an inch) on table saws, jointers, planers, routers, drill presses, and 14 other types of woodworking equipment. The company, founded in 1996 by a veteran mechanical engineer, holds eight design patents and manufactures over 95% of products in the USA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MasterGage Professional Package Flagship precision alignment and calibration tool system for woodworkers, including a Protractor with patented 'Instant Recall' Memory Links, multi-scale laser-etched measurements (fractional inches, decimal inches, millimeters, and angular degrees), dial indicator with 0.001" accuracy, extensions, Miter Slot Cradle Bar, carrying case, and 70+ page manual. Compatible with 18 types of woodworking machinery. Priced at $459.00.
• MasterGage Classic Package Core precision alignment and calibration tool system for woodworkers, sharing the Professional Package's manufacturing quality but without the Protractor or 'Instant Recall' features. Includes multi-scale laser-etched measurements in fractional inches, decimal inches, and millimeters, dial indicator, extensions, Miter Slot Cradle Bar, Depth Gauge Rod, carrying case, and 55+ page manual. Height gauge only, suitable for non-angular measurement across woodworking machinery. Priced at $259.00.
• SuperBar Table saw-specific alignment tool with a U.S. patent-pending adjustment system (coarse plus spring-loaded fine adjustment for glass-smooth motion), precision dial indicator (1.0" travel, .001" accuracy), 1.0" and 2.0" extension stems, hex wrenches, and instructions. Fits standard 3/4 x 3/8 miter slots and Sears .740 slot models. Cannot be purchased without dial indicator. Priced at $69.00 (standard) / $89.00 (Shopsmith version).
• MasterPlate Solid 3/8" thick x 6" x 10" Tool Makers quality aluminum plate precision double-disk ground flat and parallel to within thousandths of an inch. Provides a full 10" flat surface when mounted horizontally (7" vertically) for measurement. Accommodates 5/8" and 1.0" arbors with hole-pattern variants including a 30mm European and 1-1/4" Shopsmith version. Priced at $73.00.
• 1-2-3 MicroGage Compact precision measuring tool combining a 1-2-3 block with rare earth magnets and a precision dial indicator carriage with smooth-sliding action; allows measurement within thousandths of an inch for routers, jointers, planers, and other machinery. Not for use with table saws. Priced at $119.00.
• Universal Angle Guide & Height Gauge Precision angle measuring and transferring tool with computer-controlled laser-etched angles from 0 to 180 degrees in 1/2 degree increments plus complementary angles. Includes a fractional inch height gauge (3.0", 1/32" graduations) and a metric height gauge (8cm, 1mm graduations). Made from aircraft-quality aluminum with black anodized coating. Sliding T-bevel not included. Priced at $66.00.
• Planer Blade Setting Gauge – Black Series Precision jig for setting stationary planer blades to within 0.001" using an onboard AGD-1 type dial indicator (1-5/8" face), two powerful rare earth magnets to secure to steel cutter heads, and compatibility with 3-bladed cutter heads up to 18 inches wide. Priced at $85.00.
• Mini-Magnetic Base Versatile magnetic base for positioning various MasterGage tools (dial indicators and similar accessories) on woodworking machinery. Includes adjustment hex key and band clamp. Dial indicator and flashlight not included. Priced at $38.00.
• SuperBar – Shopsmith (.720" Slots) Specialized SuperBar variant precision-machined from Delrin for Shopsmith machines with .720" slots, featuring the same patent-pending adjustment system and precision dial indicator as the standard SuperBar. Priced at $89.00.

Quantifiable outcome

• Equipment alignment accuracy to .001 inches (1/1000 of an inch)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Mitutoyo: Mitutoyo is a global leader in precision measurement instruments - calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, and coordinate measuring machines - used across machining, manufacturing, and quality inspection. It overlaps with MasterGage's precision gauge functionality for users needing machine-shop accuracy, though Mitutoyo's primary focus is industrial metrology rather than woodworking.
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (Brown & Sharpe): Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, which acquired the historic Brown & Sharpe precision tooling brand, provides industrial metrology and measurement solutions worldwide. Its precision hand tools and gauges overlap functionally with MasterGage's metrology offerings for users requiring high-accuracy alignment and measurement.
• The L.S. Starrett Company: Starrett is a major, established manufacturer of precision measurement tools, metrology equipment, and saw blades serving industrial, professional, and trade markets. Its dial indicators, calipers, and gauges are broadly used in woodworking and adjacent trades, making it a much larger incumbent serving overlapping capability needs.
• Fred V. Fowler Company: Fowler is a long-established manufacturer of precision measuring instruments - including bore gauges, calipers, and dial indicators - serving industrial, automotive, and machining markets. It competes with MasterGage in the dial-indicator and precision-measurement category at a broader, more industrial scale.

Others

• Rockler Woodworking and Hardware: Rockler is a major US retailer and manufacturer of woodworking tools, hardware, and supplies, including precision measuring and setup tools. It serves as a distribution channel competitor and ecosystem participant - several MasterGage-style products are sold through Rockler, making it a relevant industry touchpoint though not a direct product competitor.

Direct peers

• Incra: Incra manufactures precision positioning tools for woodworking - including precision fences, miter gauges, and measuring systems. It targets the same professional and serious hobbyist woodworker segment as MasterGage, competing on accuracy and incremental setup precision for table saws and routers.
• Kreg Tool: Kreg Tool manufactures jigs, pocket-hole joinery systems, and precision woodworking tools for hobbyists and professionals. While Kreg's primary focus is joinery rather than machine alignment, it competes for the same woodworker's tool budget and is widely sold through the same retail and digital channels.
• iGaging: iGaging produces digital and analog precision measuring tools (calipers, rules, protractors, angle gauges) commonly used in woodworking and metalworking setups. Its product line overlaps directly with MasterGage's measurement and calibration tool offerings, addressing similar alignment and accuracy needs in the same customer segment.
• Woodpeckers: Woodpeckers is a US-based manufacturer of precision jigs, setup tools, and measuring accessories for woodworking machinery. It competes directly with MasterGage in the table-saw and jointer/planer alignment category, with comparable products at similar price points and overlapping customer bases of professional and enthusiast woodworkers.
• Wixey: Wixey designs and sells digital angle gauges, height gauges, and setup tools for woodworking machinery. It is a direct competitor to MasterGage in the precision angle and height measurement niche, with comparable price points and customer profiles among hobbyist and professional woodworkers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/mastergagesales

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MasterGage