What is spring dividers used for?

What is spring dividers used for?

• A. Used for marking out and scribing arcs on metal and plastic surfaces
• B. Used for marking lines on metal
• C. Used to measure small lengths
• D. Used to measure 90° angles

Answer: (A)

Spring dividers are a marking-out tool with two sharp legs joined by a spring, which keeps the distance between the points constant. This lets you set a center point and sweep a precise arc or circle on metal or plastic surfaces. Because you can adjust the span and then roll the tool to draw, they’re ideal for marking out and scribing arcs to transfer exact radii from a plan to the workpiece. They aren’t primarily for marking straight lines, measuring tiny lengths, or checking right angles. For straight lines you’d use a marking gauge or straightedge; for small measurements you’d use a ruler or calipers; and for right angles you’d use a square or protractor.

Spring dividers are a marking-out tool with two sharp legs joined by a spring, which keeps the distance between the points constant. This lets you set a center point and sweep a precise arc or circle on metal or plastic surfaces. Because you can adjust the span and then roll the tool to draw, they’re ideal for marking out and scribing arcs to transfer exact radii from a plan to the workpiece.

They aren’t primarily for marking straight lines, measuring tiny lengths, or checking right angles. For straight lines you’d use a marking gauge or straightedge; for small measurements you’d use a ruler or calipers; and for right angles you’d use a square or protractor.