Heirloom Calipers & Dividers Set
With some simple tools and a little time, you can build a complete set of quality layout tools.
All it takes is some basic tools you probably already have: a hacksaw, a few files, and a drill press. Cutting, filing, and drilling the steel blanks isn’t a big deal. And some final polishing with sandpaper gives them a nice, satin finish. To connect the two legs so they hold their set position, some traditional tools use a threaded rod with a knurled nut. Others use a simple wingnut to tighten the legs of the tool. This design uses a simple, but effective technique: a friction joint. A pair of disc springs and a simple brass rivet apply just the right amount of pressure to keep the legs from slipping. It works beautifully.
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What You Get:
- 9 printable (digital) pages of step-by-step instructions
- More than 30 full-color photos, illustrations and exploded views
- Shop-tested tips for working with metal ensure you success
- Materials list
- Retail sources for project supplies
Product Recommendations
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Similar Woodsmith Plans
Imperial Plans
The United States Customary System of Units (USCS or USC), more commonly referred to as the English or Imperial system, is the standard set of units for our plans. It uses inches and feet for measurement. This is the one you probably want if you are in the United States, and it is the one we have traditionally offered on this website.
Metric Plans
The International System of Units (SI), more commonly referred to as the metric system, is the alternative set of units that we have available for some of our plans. It uses millimeters, centimeters, and meters for measurement. This is the one you probably want if you are outside the United States. These plans are provided by our business partner, Australian Woodsmith, and are based on the original Woodsmith plan. However, dimensions and other elements of the plan may vary between the metric and standard versions. Be sure to double-check the plan before building.
Premium Plans
All of the information that you need to build our plans can be found in the standard plan. However, if you want even more granular detail to make your job easier, you should consider our premium plans. These come with additional shop diagrams that we drew when creating the prototypes. Shop drawings are not available for every plan.