The primary function of the vernier height gage in layout is to measure and scribe lines of known height on the workpiece. Perpendicular lines may be scribed on the workpiece by the following procedure. The work is first clamped to a right angle plate if necessary and the required lines are scribed in one direction. The height gage should be set at an angle to the work and the corner of the scriber pulled across while keeping the height gage base firmly on the reference surface. Only enough pressure should be applied with the scriber to remove the layout dye and not actually remove material from the workpiece.