In manual woodworking it is necessary to measure lengths, widths and thicknesses as well as bevels (angles) of workpieces.
Table 1 shows the most usual length measuring tools with their features and possibilities of application.
Table 1: Length Measuring Tools
Name |
Features |
Application |
Folding rule |
- 1.....2 m - graduation - 1 mm - less accuracy due to hinged connection |
- taking off constructional dimensions - scribing when cutting to size solid wood, panels and verneers |
Steel rule |
- 0.....300 mm - graduation - 1 mm - inflexible steel tapes with etched graduation |
- scribing for wood joints - check measurements |
Measuring tape |
- 0.....2 m - graduation - 1 mm - flexible steel blade of stainless steel medium - accuracy |
- scribing before cutting to size - scribing and checking for finish cutting - scribing for wood joints |
Measuring staff |
- 0.....3 m - graduation - 1 m - inflexible wood rods - only for minimum accuracy requirements |
- first check of arriving sawn timber and panels - scribing for rough cutting |
Vernier caliper |
- 0.....300 mm - graduation - 0.1 mm - the workpiece is placed between the measuring faces |
- exact measuring of thickness - measuring of radiuses and bore hole depths |
In case of often appearing sizes fixed length gauges and angle gauges are used for scribing and checking. Gauges represent only special sizes. They dont haw any moving parts, i.e. they are fixed on a certain size. Table 2 shows the mostly used gauges with their features and application possibilities.
Table 2: Gauges
Name |
Features |
Application |
Distance gauge |
- self-manufactured woods indicating the distance between an edge and the working area to be recessed |
- scribing of several parts of the same kind |
Curve gauge |
- curved templates |
- scribing of rounded corners and surface roundings |
Working square |
- angle of 90° |
- checking the angularity and transferring the markings angularly |
Mitre rule |
- angle of 45° |
- scribing of frame mitres |
Bevel protractor |
- any angle can be fixed |
- scribing of all kinds of mitres |
Besides the already mentioned measuring tools
- the marking gauge,
- the pencil and
- the scriber are needed for scribing.
Figure 1 Marking gauge
Figure 2 Scriber
Attention - the scriber is a sharp tool and careless handling can lead to injuries!
Name at least six tools for measuring and scribing.
1. ____________________________
2. ____________________________
3. ____________________________
4. ____________________________
5. ____________________________
6. ____________________________