A combination square is most likely not something you'll be able to make yourself. They are available from any of the home centers and the price ranges from inexpensive and that often means cheap, all the way up to ones made by Starrett for over $100.
The tool is usually a 1 foot steel ruler that can double as a straight edge. In the center of the ruler, on the flat side is a groove. A finger fits in this groove and allows you to slide the head along the length of the ruler. There is a tension knob that holds the head in place and when you have reached the position along the ruler you want, tightening the knob will hold it in place. Most have a head with a flat side, and a 45 degree angle on the other side. In the middle of the head is a level most of us can't use, and on the end is a steel scribe you can use for marking. My favorite is a model I hadn't seen until recently. Instead of a flat and angle it has 2 flat sides. This way you can measure from either direction without having to flip it over. Sometimes it just works better and I don't use the 45 degree angle to measure with on the combination square. The marking gauge is a tool that has a scribe sticking out on one end. The other end has a piece that slides and there is a screw you twist to lock it in place. I've never cared much for them myself so maybe others can tell you more about them. ----- Original Message ----- From: Keith Christian To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 10:30 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Measuring devices Hi Ray, I am not familiar with a scribing block or a combination square? Are they tools that you made? I get the idea that they are telescoping rods with a nut on them to stop them from moving in or out. Sounds like something I could make with copper tubing and a clamp. Good ideas. Thanks, Keith Posted by: "Ray Boyce" [email protected] Date: Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:46 pm ((PST)) What I use for small jobs for example when I am cutting off multiple lengths of the same length is the good old wooden scribing block. You can move the stem in or out and lock it off with the tightening screw. Or you can use the combination square again locking it off at the desired length. For larger jobs use a tape measure but buy one with the best locking mechanism you can find, but after locking it off at the desired length put your fingers down over the tape so it does not move in or out while transferring it to the wood or steel to be cut. Another device I use is a curtain track which opens out to 12 feet and slides inside each other very tightly. You can slide it out to the length required and again transfer it to the piece to be cut. Look around your home or workshop and adapt whatever you have to do the job. It is amazing what you can come up with. Ray [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
