Dividers: How to Lock Your Legs, Part 3, Above the Joint

 

In this final section on techniques for fixing the legs in position we’ll look at some of the   options where the locking mechanism is situated above the joint. All of the examples in my collection are machinist calipers made from flat stock. Half are registering outside calipers with a scale and pointer indicating the distance between leg points.

 

First, the big boy of the lot. These 13 ½" heavy duty inside calipers are unmarked and may be user made.

 

                                    

 The next three are inside–outside combination calipers.

 

                                                                           

English calipers by Thewlis & Co., Warrington 

                                                                 

                                                      

Marked E & T Mfg Co., Pat. Pend.

              

                                                              

Unmarked. Locking nut missing, but with fine adjustment mech.

                                                                              

 

 Here is another pair of inside calipers with a wing above the hinge joint including a fine adjustment like a traditional wing divider.

                                                         

                                                        

Bemis & Call Co. (marked), Providence, RI

                     

 Finally, the four registering outside calipers, starting with two small examples.

                                                      

Kimball & Talbot, Talbot's 27 Jan. 1863 pat. (marked)

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                             

Goodell Pratt Co. No. 331 (marked)

                                            

                   

   Two larger examples of registering outside calipers.

 

                                                     

This tool can also be used as an inside caliper by crossing the legs in which case the measurement is read on the left side of the scale. It is marked Kreuter & Co., but was apparently also sold by Sargent & Co. as No. 165.

 

                                               

This pair of calipers has the scale and indicator (not visible) on a flat section across the top. A simple spring helps separate the legs. It was manufactured by the Corlin Co., Minneapolis (marked).