Tool Tip - Divided Caliper Scribe
Some of us remember in elementary school putting a pencil in an adjustable compass drawing tool to draw circles. A divider caliper scribe is a similar tool. Both sides of this tool have points sharp enough to scratch sheet metal. To keep the points from becoming damaged, they come with a plastic tip protector. Since mine are not in a drawer but propped up in a container on my work surface, the tip is always replaced after use.
Instructions
Why in the world would you want one of these? You don't really NEED it, but it is very useful and can come in handy.
Most of the time when we need a strip of metal a certain width, we measure, mark, and draw a cutting line to follow using a Sharpie marker. There is nothing wrong with that method, but sometimes we need EXACT dimensions and that is where this tool comes in handy.
The divider caliper scribe is a great tool for measuring without actually measuring.
I recently needed to make a new part for an old clock. I placed the caliper jaws on either side of the narrow clock part and tightened the adjustable screw until they fit snugly.
Yippee no measuring, and I had the exact width of the piece!
To transfer the measurement to sheet metal, place one scribe tip against the outer edge of a straight piece of sheet metal, and the other tip directly on the metal.
Hint: The scribe tips are very sharp. Use a self-healing cutting mat underneath to protect your work surface from scratches.
Hold the tool at a slight angle, keeping the outside tip firmly aligned with the metal's edge. Press both tips down firmly against the metal and the mat, then pull the tool across the surface.
Make several light passes instead of trying to scribe the line in one go.
Since I was using nickel silver which is harder than copper or silver it took three passes before the scratched line was clearly visible for cutting.
Most of the time when we need a strip of metal a certain width, we measure, mark, and draw a cutting line to follow using a Sharpie marker. There is nothing wrong with that method, but sometimes we need EXACT dimensions and that is where this tool comes in handy.
The divider caliper scribe is a great tool for measuring without actually measuring.
I recently needed to make a new part for an old clock. I placed the caliper jaws on either side of the narrow clock part and tightened the adjustable screw until they fit snugly.
Yippee no measuring, and I had the exact width of the piece!
To transfer the measurement to sheet metal, place one scribe tip against the outer edge of a straight piece of sheet metal, and the other tip directly on the metal.
Hint: The scribe tips are very sharp. Use a self-healing cutting mat underneath to protect your work surface from scratches.
Hold the tool at a slight angle, keeping the outside tip firmly aligned with the metal's edge. Press both tips down firmly against the metal and the mat, then pull the tool across the surface.
Make several light passes instead of trying to scribe the line in one go.
Since I was using nickel silver which is harder than copper or silver it took three passes before the scratched line was clearly visible for cutting.
This tool makes quick work of "drawing" any desired width, whether straight or curved. If the edge is wavy, the tool will replicate the wavy line any desired distance away from the edge.
Circles can be drawn on metal in sizes only limited by the size of the tool.
Use the tool to scratch a line for embellishment placement.
Endless no measuring/marking uses!
Circles can be drawn on metal in sizes only limited by the size of the tool.
Use the tool to scratch a line for embellishment placement.
Endless no measuring/marking uses!
Materials
Sheet - Wide variety of metals and gauges
Tools
Divider, 4 Inches
DIV-400.99
- DIV-400.99
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $6.95
- Gold Club Price: $5.21
Supply Detail
loading...
Change Metal:
This Tip requires:
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
- Category: Tools
- Technique(s): Tools
Judy Larson
Other Tips by Judy Larson
Cleaning Your Jewelry
Build A Tool Rack
Clamps for Jewelry Making
Finishing Wire Ends
Handmade Closures
Removing Tarnish From Your Jewelry
Homemade Pickle
Wire Wrapped Loops
How to Make Balled Head Pins
Lessen the Noise - Save Your Eardrums
Make a Rivet and Eyelet Tile
Two Tips for Making Pendant Bails with Craft Wire
Petal Forming on a Wood Block
Save Your Fingers while Texturing
Soldering on Copper
Sticker Templates
Using 6 Step Barrel Pliers
Using a Center Finder
Using a Tile to Cut Rivets
Using Household Super Glue on Minor Cuts, Nicks and Scrapes
Using Tiles on Tube Rivets and Eyelets
Clothespin Tools
Making Decorative Granulation Beads
Using Your Hole Punch Pliers
Decorative Granulation and Beads
How to Find and Mark the Center of a Disc.
Choosing the Right Clasp
Chunky Chain Inspiration
Tool Tip - Steampunk or Industrial Rivets
Storing Jump Rings
Wear Your Brooches on a Neckwire
Storing Your Metal
Using Disc Cutter Shims
Conditioning a Rawhide Mallet
Flattening Metal Pieces
Quenching
Saving a Broken Solder Brick
Why I Use Solder Paste
Designing a Toggle Clasp That Works
Round Mandrels
Get the Look of Eyelets
Earring Pairs Template
Storing and Caring for Files
Open or Closed Jump RIngs on Bracelets and Necklaces
Versatile Permanent Markers
You Used What
Rescuing a Very Used Magnesia Soldering Block
Using Hole Punch Pliers
Metal Shears Care
Paperclip Earrings
Think Outside the Box - Alternative Metal Texturing
Make Stamping Metal a Bit Easier
Stone Bezel Setting Tips
Viking Knit Tips
Using Glue Under Cabochons
Tool Tip - Digital Pocket Scale
Repeat Performance
Another Way to Condition a Rawhide Mallet
Carry a Sketch Pad
Why You Should Take a Class
Jewelry Making Templates
Carry a Sketch Pad
Keeping Your Bracelet Focals in Place
Metal Content Stamping
Using Sanding Sponges and Papers
Adding Depth to Carved Beads and Cabochons
Closing Rings Tightly for Soldering
Squaring Wire Ends
Ring Mandrels
Tool Tip - Bench Brushes
Scrap Wire Twisted Rings
Tool Tip - Soft Bristle Metal Brushes
Project Multiples - Calibrated Cabochons
Mobius Pearl Drop Earrings
Copper Wire Solder
Large Dapping Punches and Alternatives
Project Multiples - Glass Pebble Cabs
Project Storage
Tiny Bead and Findings Storage
Working Smart
Display Trays as Storage
Making TIny Leaves
Adapting a Tutorial
Build Better Bead Storage
Using Magical Crimping Pliers
Add a Touch of Gold
Make a Lacy Argentium Scrap Metal Sheet
Birch Bark Texture
Versatile Snap-on Bails
Bead Cap Primer
Using Glue Sticks with Printed Templates
Choosing a Lake or Riverstone
Do a Facebook Collaboration
Shielding a Jewelry Piece When Stone Setting
Some Ideas Are Right in Front of You
Curving and Scrolling Wire
Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work
Cutting Wire Multiples of the Same Length
Separating Distinct Textures on a Single Piece of Metal
Changing the Size of a Pearl
Easy Ring Cleaning
Add a Bit of Dimension
Keeping Projects Separate
Tumbling and Polishing Metal Beads
Unexpected Jewels
Saws and Turning Radius
Flattening Metal Pieces
Mobius Ring Spacers
Filing Angled Wires in a Jig
Storing Handmade Elements
Simple Way to Straighten Wire
Two Ways to Make Simple Loops
Making Simple Eyepins
Using Fun Tak as a Resist
Why Use a Binder to Store Embellishments
Storing Dapping Blocks and Punches
Wire Basics - Opening and Closing Jump Rings
Enlarging a Bezel
Leaf Inspirations
Earring Findings for Different Ages
Accidentally Learning Something New
Fusing Jump Rings
Out of the Mouths of Babes or Fixing a Spinning Bracelet
Rethinking a Design
When Bead Holes are Too Large
Soldering a Dome to a Backplate
Eye of Shiva AKA Pacific Cat's Eye
Ribbon Wrapped Bracelet tips
Making Lightweight Earrings with Unexpected Finds
Tool Tip - Indispensable Tapes
What Happens To Pearls Not Worn, Cleaned, and Stored Properly
Aha Lightbulb Moment
Adding Loops for Dangles on a Classic Wire Bezel Wrap
After the Rain - Found Treasures
Back to School
Bezel Solution for Corners and Points
Filling Holes in Stones
Dots to the Rescue
Raising Stones in Bezel Settings
Leveling the Bottom of a Large Bezel
Using Leftovers
Make-do Sawing Solutions
Combining Tutorials
Scrap Melt
What's Your Jewelry Style
Using Wax from Braces
Sometimes Simple Really is Better
Bead Soup and Small Changes
Repurposing Sterling Cord End Findings
Wire Wrapped Bail Finishing Options
Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones
Altering Your Dapping Block
Trimming Around a Bezel
Making Tiny Dapped Metal Leaves
Labeling Cabs When Working with Them
Basic Round Well Wood Dapping Blocks
Get Inspired by What's on Your Bench
When Things Go Awry
Putting On and Taking Off a Cuff Bracelet
Adding Hearts to Your Designs
Taking Care of Your Rolling Mill
Power Up
Hammer Basics
Wire Temper and Jump Rings
Embellish Bezels with Twisted Wire
Embellish a Treasure Box
Make a Polymer Clay Cabochon Mandrel
Jewelry Packaging for Small Items - Pillow Boxes
Make-do Sawing Solutions
Ball Chain Embellishments
Pickling and Super Pickle
A Better T-bar
A Better Way to Change a Saw Blade
Making Consistent Hanging Loops
Targeted Patina
Coin Focal Inspiration
Bracelet and Paperclip Trick
What Wire is Best for Earring Findings
Storing Your Metal Stamps
Save Those Old Buttons
Adjusting Purchased Ear Wires
Twisted Wire Tips
Stash Inspiration and Notes
Short Quotes for Stamped Jewelry
My Favorite Tweezers
No Rolling Mill- No Problem
Coiling Wire for Jump Rings
Cutting Coils Into Jump Rings
Closed Jump Rings Soldering vs Fusing
The premier place for all your jewelry making needs. The best in wire, tools, cabochons, gemstone beads and more. As well as a superior resource for educational support to help build your jewelry making skills and techniques.
Connect With Us
® 2007 - 2025 Wirejewelry.com Powered by ClaimTheWeb Cart