The dividers ( compasses ) are for sure a very serious woodworking tool and they help all carpenters ( amateur or not ) to take extremely accurate measurements .
Using a divider you can take and also design , very accurate measurements without making checkings to any numbers at all . You can also inscribe and transfer circles , curves and arcs when you want to design a pattern and you use another pattern as a guide .
If you like to remember some about the importance of marking and measuring , go in HERE .
The log house creators know this very well , because they use compasses to make the log patterns , in order the logs be placed , one above the other creating the walls .
You can also make a dovetail using dividers and other simple woodworking tools .
I suggest you to have as many as you can with the 6-inch and the 9-inch/10-inch , be the most necessary . Of course more smaller ones ( 3″ – 4″ ) , will be helpful too .
Ok you may have some very cheap – basic ones ( with some rust one them maybe ) to use in your outdoors heavy – duty jobs , but some good quality’s dividers are needed for sure .
Of course i don’t suggest you to spend all your carpentry tools money in here . Some basic and good quality’s dividers , should be enough .
So my suggestions to you are :
The C.S.Osborne 106-6 Wing Divider with Maximum Opening 6″ .
This Us made divider is a top quality carpentry tool , made from steel and having very solid – strong made philoshophy .
Its “legs” are very strong and not moved at all when you measure – transfer and this is a big benefit . You can put measuring power to its “legs” , with no problem .
You can check its price on Amazon here .
It opens and close with easiness and smoothness , but it “locks” instantly and with big locking tightness . Yes , it maybe not the cheapest you can find , but the quality it offers is way above the cheaper ones .
This is a very fine quality divider with the only maybe minor “theme” , the more points sharpening by you , if you like more precision . But it’s not a big deal , for sure .
The WUTA Spring Wing Divider 304 Stainless Steel .
This is a top quality clasical screw function divider , very well made from stainless steel and a very precise woodworking tool , you can see it on Amazon in here .
It has a spacing range from 0.1mm – 8.5mm and it’s quality “overflows” . Smooth surfaces , very good quality steel to avoid rust and wear and the locking mechanism is tight and strong as it should be .
It won’t need any further sharpening to its “legs” , there’re sharp enough and very well polished , for your convinience and feeling .
The Groz 8-inch Spring Divider .
This 8″ Groz screw locking divider , can make the Starrett( and not only ) “sweat” a little . It is a very good divider for its money , made from good steel and having its points extra hardened for bigger wear resistance . You can check its price on Amazon in here .
The screw mechanism , the “legs” strengh , are very sturdy and not playing around , making the accurate measurements job , easy and reliable .
The quality is visible and this tool worths every penny .
The Moore & Wright 503 Spring Divider 75mm (3in) .
This 3″ divider is for your smaller woodworking jobs , it’s biggest advantage is , its extremely high precision sharped points .
It’s a detailed and precision focused divider and you can see it on Amazon here .
It has the feeling , the mechanism smoothness and the finishing , you expect from a carpentry divider made for smaller and very accurate measuring .
Accuracy is the “name of the game” for all the woodworking jobs , bigger or smaller and this 3″ divider , will be a very good assistant for you .
Keep woodworking , keep experimenting and keep learning new stuff , always .