Scribing compasses and dividers for precision layout

Accurate layout work on metal plates, castings and timber starts with a reliable scribing compass. These hand tools transfer measurements, scribe arcs and mark circles directly onto the workpiece surface with a hardened steel point that leaves a fine, permanent line.

Straight shaft dividers are available in 150 mm, 200 mm and 250 mm sizes, covering the range from small component marking to larger layout tasks on sheet metal and plate. The straight shaft design keeps both legs parallel, which helps maintain consistent line depth across the full arc. Compasses with a quarter-circle scale add the ability to set and lock precise angles, useful when laying out bolt hole patterns, radius transitions and template profiles.

Models with a pencil holder let you transfer layouts onto surfaces where a scribed line would be impractical, such as painted panels or coated timber. The spring-loaded adjustment mechanism on these compasses holds the set dimension firmly during use, preventing the legs from drifting under scribing pressure. For fitters, toolmakers and metalworkers who depend on exact layout lines to guide subsequent machining, drilling or cutting operations, a properly sized scribing compass is an indispensable bench tool.

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