Dividers are woodworking instruments used for measuring, transferring, and marking distances. It consists of two straight adjustable legs hinged together. One leg is used as the center point, while the other is used for scribing or marking.
How are Dividers Used?
Dividers are used by setting it with one hand. One leg is between the thumb and first and second fingers. Hold the other leg with the third and fourth fingers.
To transfer measurements on the board or drawing, set the dividers on the distance that you want. Transfer the measurements to the board or wood. Do this by pricking the surface very lightly with the divider’s points.
To measure equal distances on the line, set the dividers to your desired distance. Step off this distance many times by swinging the legs one after the other along the line. Swing it 180 degrees, clockwise then counter clockwise.
To divide a straight or curved line into equal parts, open the dividers to a rough estimate of the first division. Step off the distance lightly by pivoting the tool on alternate sides of the line at each step.
Be careful not to punch holes on the paper, lightly mark them with a pencil. If you want to identify marks done with smaller dividers, lightly circle the marks with a pencil. This can be used for future reference.
Other Ways of Determining Angles
While dividers are sufficiently reliable most of the time, there are other methods and tools available. Consider the following whenever you’re facing challenges in determining angles:
By Hands-on Approach
This approach is arguably one of the most accurate methods of calculating angles in woodworking.
On a piece of scrap wood, sketch an angle’s full-sized footprint. Use a straight hedge or ruler to bisect or cut in half the corner diagonally. This represents the miter angle.
Place two similar pieces of scrap wood on the drawing to make a model. Align them and transfer the diagonal line to the square ends of the scrap wood with a pencil.
By Using a Bevel Square
Bevel square (aka angle-finder) is a short, flat blade that moves and locks on a handle.
To measure angles, adjust the tool by loosening the bevel square’s lock nut. Align the blade with your desired angle on a paper or scrap wood. You can also swivel the blade to match the angle on the wood.
Lock the blade in place by twisting the nut. Lastly, you’ll have to transfer the angle to the wood you will cut.
By Using a Protractor Angle
Protractors can read angles from the corner. For a 22.5-degree preset miter angle on the saw, the degree angle on a protractor is 67.5.
What’s the Best Method?
There’s no universally best approach to determining angles in woodworking. What’s ideal depends on what you’re planning to create and your current list of equipment. So, you really don’t have to rely on dividers all the time—as you’ve learned, sometimes even mere scrap can get the job done.
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