Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for positioning a tapered member so that the taper of a tapered surface thereof can be verified. The apparatus comprises a first surface having an angle with respect to the horizontal which is equal to the included angle of the shaft to be measured. A vertical surface having an angle equal to one half the included angle of the shaft to be measured is arranged along one edge of the first surface. A plurality of horizontal gauge block surfaces are arranged at predetermined vertical heights with respect to the base of the first angled surface. A gauge block, whose size is determined by the particular shaft to be measured, is secured to an appropriate gauge block surface so that a gauge can be preset to zero with reference to an upper horizontal gauge surface of the gauge block. Thereafter, the member to be measured is placed with the tapered surface resting against the two angled surfaces.