Tool Tip - Divided Caliper Scribe

by Judy Larson
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 measuring tool without having to measure. I recently needed to make a new part for an old clock. The caliper jaws were put on either side of the long narrow clock part. The adjustable screw was tightened until the jaws were tight on either side of the part. Yippee, no measuring and I had the exact width of the piece. Now to transfer it to sheet metal. Easy. Place one scribe tip against the outside edge of a straight piece of sheet metal and the other tip on the metal. Hint: The scribe tips are very sharp. Placing a self-healing cutting mat on your work surface for this process will mean no scratches will be left on your work surface. Holding the tool at a slight angle with the outside tip aligned firmly against the sheet metal and the other tip on the metal. Press the tips of the tool down firmly on the metal and the work surface. Pull the tool across the metal. It is better to make several passes of the scribe tip on the metal to obtain a good scratched depth line to be easily visible than to try to scribe the line in one pass. Since I was using nickel silver, which is harder than copper or silver, to make the new clock part, it took three passes before I knew I would be able to easily see the scratched line when cutting.
Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Divided Caliper Scribe - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, divided caliper scribe
Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Divided Caliper Scribe - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, divided caliper scribe
Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Divided Caliper Scribe - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, divided caliper scribe
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!
Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Divided Caliper Scribe - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, divided caliper scribe
Judy Larson's Tool Tip - Divided Caliper Scribe - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Tools, divided caliper scribe

Materials

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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
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  • Category: Tools
  • Technique(s): Tools