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Homemade Self-Centering Scribe


Self-Centering Scribe
 
186 More Best Homemade Tools eBook
TOOL:
Self-Centering Scribe
PLANS:
None. For all tools with plans, click here.
BUILDER:
Rick Sparber on rick.sparber.org
DESCRIPTION:
Homemade self-centering scribe intended to facilitate the process of locating the centerline between a workpiece's parallel sides.
RATING:
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Oct 15, 2017 9:06 AM
oi789
You could use different length ratios for the arms to find lines other than the center line!:-) William
Apr 07, 2014 1:00 PM
Paul Alciatore
First, you have to follow the link provided to see the actual explanation for this tool. In it it is stated that the long ends of the tool have pins that contact the sides of the piece being measured. Then it is stated that there are also pins (sharply pointed) in the short ends that are used to scribe the center line. I see problems with this. First, the distance that is set on the long side is not the width of the piece. It is that width plus the diameter of the pins used there. So the distance on the short side is half the width plus half the long side pin diameter. Now, if you use a longer, flat end pin of the same diameter as used in the long arms, in one of the short end arms and a shorter, pointed pin in the other short arm, then the mechanism should compensate by the half pin diameter that is needed for it to work. Also, it would be best for the pins in the long arms to NOT be pointed. They should have a constant diameter so that that diameter is always added to the measurement. This should be explained in the article. And the exact method of use should also be explained.  Another point that should be emphasized is that the two pins should be aligned on a line that is perpendicular to the edges of the work piece. This should be the case for both setting the gauge with the long side pins and for scribing with the short side pins.
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CATEGORIES:
Scribes, Awls, and Marking Knives
TAGS:
scribe
LEVEL OF DETAIL (1-5):
4
URL:
http://rick.sparber.org/aacs.pdf


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DIY Self-Centering Scribe - comment on how to build a Self-Centering Scribe - 3 comments
oi789 says:
Oct 15, 2017 9:06 AM
You could use different length ratios for the arms to find lines other than the center line!:-) William
Paul Alciatore says:
Apr 07, 2014 1:00 PM
First, you have to follow the link provided to see the actual explanation for this tool. In it it is stated that the long ends of the tool have pins that contact the sides of the piece being measured. Then it is stated that there are also pins (sharply pointed) in the short ends that are used to scribe the center line. I see problems with this. First, the distance that is set on the long side is not the width of the piece. It is that width plus the diameter of the pins used there. So the distance on the short side is half the width plus half the long side pin diameter. Now, if you use a longer, flat end pin of the same diameter as used in the long arms, in one of the short end arms and a shorter, pointed pin in the other short arm, then the mechanism should compensate by the half pin diameter that is needed for it to work. Also, it would be best for the pins in the long arms to NOT be pointed. They should have a constant diameter so that that diameter is always added to the measurement. This should be explained in the article. And the exact method of use should also be explained.  Another point that should be emphasized is that the two pins should be aligned on a line that is perpendicular to the edges of the work piece. This should be the case for both setting the gauge with the long side pins and for scribing with the short side pins.
Okapi says:
Apr 04, 2014 4:06 PM
Hello, Sorry but with your drawing I dont understad how to put the scribe on the center, it can be aligned on the place you want out of center ? We use a similar tool for finding center with a piece of metal with two precise round steel  pieces fixed at the egal distance of a center hole which you have just to turn on the piece with the rods touching each side and you have the middle in the center hole.
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