2.2 Measuring and marking out tools

• Measuring tools (steel rule, calipers)
• Marking-out tools (scriber, try square, punches, divider, odd-leg caliper, trammel)
• Marking-out equipment (surface table, vee-block, angle blocks, scribing block)
• Using and maintaining measuring and marking-out tools

• identify measuring and marking-out tools used in a metal workshop
• perform a task using measuring and marking-out tools
• maintain measuring and marking-out tools
• acknowledge the importance of measuring and marking-out tools

“Why are measuring and marking-out tools important in metalwork?”

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1. Measuring and marking-out tools
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   The metalwork measuring and marking-out tools - steel rule, try square, scriber, punches, dividers, calipers, odd-leg caliper, trammel, surface table, vee-block and scribing block - what each does, how to use them accurately, and why accurate marking out matters.
2. Why marking out matters
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   The inquiry of this sub-strand: accurate measuring and marking out is what makes metal parts fit, saves metal, and comes before any cutting.
3. The steel rule
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   The basic measuring tool: a rigid millimetre scale used for lengths and as a straight-edge for scribing.
4. Using a steel rule accurately
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   How to place, sight and read a steel rule so parallax and a worn end do not steal millimetres.
5. Outside calipers
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Spring or firm-joint outside calipers take external sizes (diameters and thickness) and transfer them to a steel rule.
6. Inside calipers
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Inside calipers span holes, bores and slots; the opening is read on a steel rule, just as with outside calipers.
7. The scriber
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   A sharp steel point scratches fine, permanent lines on metal. Pencil is the wrong tool; marking blue makes the scratch easy to see.
8. The try square
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   The engineer's try square tests and marks right angles. Stock against a datum edge, blade across the face.
9. Marking and testing square
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   A practical: stock to the datum, scribe along the blade, then test a filed edge with the light-gap method.
10. The dot punch
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    A slender 60-degree punch leaves small dots on a scribed line so the mark is not lost when blue rubs off.
11. The centre punch
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    A 90-degree punch makes a dent at a hole centre so the drill starts on the mark and does not wander.
12. The divider
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Two sharp points scribe circles and arcs, and step off equal distances such as bolt-hole spacing.
13. The odd-leg caliper
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    The jenny has one bent locating leg and one scriber leg so you can mark a line parallel to an edge, or find the centre of a bar.
14. The trammel
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Trammel heads on a beam scribe large circles and arcs that a divider cannot open to - tank ends, large covers, curved brackets.
15. The surface table
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    A very flat datum surface. Work and marking equipment sit on it so heights and edges share one true reference.
16. The scribing block
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    A surface gauge: a scriber on a stand that marks lines at a set height as you slide it on the surface table.
17. Vee-block and angle blocks
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    A vee-block holds round bar on the surface table; angle blocks set a known tilt so you can mark at an angle.
18. A marking-out task
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Perform the curriculum task: mark out a small bracket or plate using the measuring and marking-out set, then check before cutting.
19. Maintaining marking-out tools
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Keep points sharp, tools clean and dry, precision pieces handled gently, and everything stored so accuracy lasts.
20. Accuracy habits in marking out
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Pull the sub-strand together: identify the tools, use them in order, maintain them, and treat precision as a workshop value.