Dividers and calipers

You are bidding on two layout tools, an 8 1/2" dividers and a 7" outside calipers.

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The outside calipers is stamped "Craftsman USA" on one side and "England" on the other. Judging by all the tools in the estate, it dates from the 1950s or 1960s. The dividers is a generation older. It is stamped "Wm Johnson, Newark NJ". This is one of an older group of tools in the estate, dating from 1910, plus/minus a decade. Never mind the age, these are tools to use today. A thumbnut releases the dividers (right) for quick adjustment, after which you can "top it off" with the knurled knob.

click any photo to enlarge

Sometimes it's nice to put 3 screws in at regular spacing because we have sensitive, artistic natures, and because the project will get hosed if we can't figure out where the screws are from the other side. After you get tired trying to divide 5 7/8" by 4, score a line down the wood and reach for the calipers. Start at a measured distance in from the edge (this is your only measurement, I promise) and "walk" the dividers 3 steps down the line. If you don't end up where you wish, turn the knob to change your step size by 1/3rd of the change you want to make. (Center-finding: one-half the amount you're off-center.) The sturdy, straight tool can be hand-pushed into softwoods enough to make a center punch for the fastener or its guide hole.

We squeeze the outside calipers, then spin the knurled knob, so that the threads will still be here after we are not. That's the line, but also it's faster.

The only thing you're missing is an inside calipers, but I find I never use mine. If you can get an inside calipers into it, then you can measure it with a ruler (think pipe I.D. -- inside diameters). The problem is stuff like curtain rods and table legs. The calipers can "transfer" the measurement to a ruler. They are a prime tool for people with lathes who make balusters for banisters and pepper grinders with some specific profile.

ORIGINS

In this estate, the man constructed 3-foot model sailing vessels during retirement, with tall masts and fabulous rigging. He himself did many projects in and out of a career in the Army, leading to tool collection from the 1930s onward. In later years he bought Craftsman tools. Another group of tools passed into the family from his wife's father. Perhaps he had little use for them, but he would not throw them out. The widow is now dissolving the household. The Wm Johnson dividers comes from this earlier group. "Wm Johnson" is long gone (can't find anything on the company; write if you know the history & I'll share it), but a Stanley square dates to between 1910 and 1920. I restored the points on the divider because I want to see it used. In another 100 years we can revere it as an antique.

Thanks for looking,
--jerry-VA