What gauge is used to lay out work for machining operations or to check the dimensions on surfaces that have been machined?

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A height gauge, especially one with a Vernier scale, is designed for establishing and checking vertical dimensions from a reference surface, like a surface plate. It lets you set a precise height and either transfer that height to the work or scribe accurate layout lines parallel to that reference plane. The Vernier height gauge adds a fine reading between main scale divisions, so you can mark out or verify dimensions with high precision on machined surfaces. This directly matches the task of laying out work for machining and checking dimensions on completed surfaces.

A surface gauge can mark or measure from a surface, but it’s typically less precise for height layouts and doesn’t provide the same fine Vernier readout. A caliper is great for quick external and internal measurements and depth, but it isn’t ideal for laying out exact heights from a reference plane. A depth gauge is specialized for measuring depths of holes or recesses, not for laying out heights or verifying surface dimensions.