Dividers

About Dividers

Dividers are precision measuring and marking tools essential for metalworking, engineering, woodworking, and technical drawing applications. These instruments allow tradespeople to transfer measurements accurately, scribe circles and arcs, and compare dimensions with exceptional precision. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range including spring dividers, wing dividers, jenny calipers, and firm joint designs from trusted manufacturers such as Moore and Wright, Faithfull, Sealey, and Draper.

Quality dividers feature hardened steel points that maintain sharpness over extended use, with adjustment mechanisms ranging from simple friction joints to sophisticated spring-loaded designs with fine-tuning screws. Spring dividers offer quick, one-handed adjustment and consistent tension for repetitive marking tasks, whilst firm joint calipers provide reliable measurements for diameter checks in engineering applications. Jenny calipers, with their distinctive curved legs, excel at centre-finding and checking internal recesses.

Applications

Dividers and calipers are used across numerous trades and professions:

• Metalworkers and Fabricators: Marking out steel, aluminium, and other metals prior to cutting, drilling, or welding
• Engineers and Machinists: Checking tolerances, measuring component dimensions, and quality control in manufacturing environments
• Sheet Metal Workers: Scribing cutting lines and transferring patterns onto sheet materials
• Woodworkers and Joiners: Marking curves, circles, and transferring measurements in cabinet making
• Automotive Technicians: Measuring brake discs, bearings, and component dimensions
• Model Makers and Craft Workers: Precision work on small-scale projects and detailed craftsmanship
• DIY Enthusiasts: Home metalworking, engineering projects, and precision woodworking tasks

Choosing The Right Dividers

Type and Function: Spring dividers are the most versatile choice for general marking and circle scribing, offering quick adjustment and consistent tension. Dedicated inside or outside calipers provide superior accuracy for cylindrical components, whilst jenny calipers are invaluable for centre-finding and surface-parallel marking.

Size and Capacity: Dividers typically range from 100mm to 300mm in length. A 150mm to 200mm model suits most general engineering and metalworking applications, whilst larger 250mm to 300mm versions are necessary for fabrication work on bigger components.

Build Quality: Professional-grade dividers from brands available at MyToolShed.co.uk feature hardened, ground steel points that resist wear and maintain sharpness. Quality construction ensures joints remain tight without excessive play, critical for measurement accuracy.

Safety Information

• Always store dividers with points closed or protected to prevent accidental injury
• Carry dividers with points facing downward and away from your body
• Ensure workpieces are securely clamped when scribing to prevent slipping
• Wear appropriate eye protection when working with metal, as scribing can produce small particles
• Keep points sharp—dull points require excessive pressure and are more likely to slip
• When adjusting spring dividers, keep fingers clear of the points as tension release can cause sudden movement

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between dividers and compasses?

Dividers have two metal points for scribing and transferring measurements, whereas compasses have one point and one pencil holder for drawing. Wing dividers can function as both by accepting pencil attachments. Dividers are primarily workshop measuring tools, whilst compasses are drawing instruments.

What size dividers do I need for general engineering work?

A 150mm or 200mm spring divider covers most general engineering, metalworking, and fabrication tasks, providing sufficient capacity for typical component sizes whilst remaining manageable and precise. This size range offers a good balance between versatility and control.

Why choose firm joint calipers over spring dividers?

Firm joint calipers excel at measuring existing dimensions—you set them to match a component's diameter, then transfer that measurement to a rule or gauge. Their simple friction joint holds settings securely without springs that might shift under pressure, making them particularly valued in traditional engineering and quality control applications.