Layout tools

Layout consists of transferring the dimensions form the plan to the

work pieces in preparation for laying out or marking out work pieces. The
following are the type of tools in laying out or marking out :

1. Scriber – is the equivalent of a pen or pencil. It literally scratches the

metal surface leaving behind a fine bright line. The scriber is a pieces
of high carbon steel hardened and tempered they are generally about
6” to 10” long. Pointed on one or both end like a needle it is held like a
encil to scratch or scribe straight lines on metal. Scribers with bent
end are used to scratch lines in places where the straight end cannot
reach. Scribers are sharpen on an oilstone. As safety precaution
scribers should be carries with the point facing down and should
never be placed in your pocket.

2. Height gauge is a measuring device used either for determining the

height of something, or for repetitou marking of item to be worked on.
The former type of height gauge is often used in doctor’s surgeries to
find the height of people. They may also be used to measure the
height of an object by using the underside of the scriber as the
datum. The datum may be permanently fixed or the height gauge may
have provision to adjust the scale, this is done by sliding the scale
vertically along the body of the height gauge by turning a fine feed
screw at the top of the gauge; then with the scriber set to the same
level as the basem the scale can be matched to it. this adjustment
allows different scribers or probes to be used, as well as adjusting for
any errors in a damaged or re-sharpended probe

3. Surface gauge - it is ungraduated comparison measuring tool that

performs much the same functions as the Vernier height gauge. It is
often used in conjunction with a dial indicator and a precision height
gauge.
4. Punch – it is a hard metal rod with a shaped tip a one end and a
blunt but end at the other, which is usually struck by a hammer.
Most woodworkers prefer to use a ball pen hammer for using
punches. Punches are used to drive object, such as nails, or to form
an impression of the tip on a workpiece. Decorative punches may also
be used to create a pattern or even form an image.

a. The center punch – used only to make the center of holes that are
to be drilled. They are mafe from high carbon stell hardened and
tempered. The point angle of the centre punch is between 60
degrees and 90 degrees. A ball pen is used in conjunction with the
center punch when marking the centre holes to be drilled. Centre
punch with mushroom heads should not be used as a safety
precaution. The centre punch should be also be firmly held while
in use.

b. A prick punch is similar to a canter but used for marking out. It

has a sharper angle tip to produce a narrower and deeper point.
The mark can then be enlarged with a center punch.

5. Divider – it is used to measure a distance between two points on the

map, the two caliper’s ends are brought to the two points on a map,
the caliper’s opening is then either measured on a separate ruler and
then converted to the actual distance, or it is measured directly on a
scale drawn on the map. On a nautical chart the distance is often
measured directly on the latitude scal e appearing on the siede of the
map: one minute of arc of latitude is approximately one nautical mile
or 1852 metres.

6. Trammel - Is is a sockets or cursor that, together with the beam,

make up a beam compass. Their relatively mall size makes them easy
to store or transport. They consist of two separate metal pieces
(approx.. 2.5’X5”X1/2) that are usually connected by a piece of wood,
The wood timber is not included in the purchase of the trammel
points. It can be ripped on a table saw. A lumber yard or woodworking
 store should have a piece readily available to fit the opening also,
metal, or pipe. They work like a scratch awl.

7. A profile gauge or contour gauge is a tool for recording the cross-

sectional shape of a surface. Contour gauge consist of a set of steel or
plastic pins that are set tightly against one another in a frame which
keeps them in the same plane and parallel while allowing them to
move independently, perpendicularly to the frame. When pressed
against an object, the pins conform to the object. The gauge can then
be used to draw the profile or to copy it on to another surface.

8. Scratch Awl – is a metal working layout and point-making tool. It is

used to scribe a line to be followed by a hand saw or chisel when
making woodworking joints and other operations.

9. Ball Peen Hammer - is a type of peening hammer used in

metalworking. It is used distinguished from a point-pen hammer or
chisel-peen hammer but having a hemispherical head. Though the
process of peening has become rarer in metal fabrication, the ball-
peen hammer remains useful for many tasks, such as striking
punches and chisels. It is also used in conjunction with the punches
to provide the striking blow needed.

10.Bevel Protractor Is a graduate circular protractor with a pivot arm;

used for measuring or marking off angles. It also consists of a beam
graduated dial and a blade which is connected to a swivel late (with
Vernier scale) by thumb nut and clamp. When the edge of the beam and
blade are parallel, a small mark on the swivel plate coincides with the
zero line on the graduated dial. To measure an angle between the beam
and the blade of 90 degree of less, the reading may be obtained direct
from the graduation number on the dial indicated by the mark on the
swivel plate. To measure an angle of over 90 degree, subtract the number
of degrees as indicated on the dial from 180degree , as the dial is
graduated from the opposite zero mark 90 degree each way.

11.Steel Rule – it provide more reliable measurement on small projects

than tape measures or wooden rulers. Steel rulers are available in either
U.S customary units (inches) or metric units, or both. They come in
range of lengths and widths, and vary in accuracy and quality. Steel
rulers mostly commonly come in one-foot, 18-inch, three-foot (yardstick)
and four-foot length.

12.Hermaphrodite Caliper – It is known as odd leg or off leg jenny and

are used to scribe Lines parallel to an edge.

13. Combination Square – an Alternative tool for transferring angular

measurement. It is also used for multiple purpose in woodworking,
stonemasonry and metal working. It is composed of a rule blasé and one
or more interchangeable heads that may be affixed to it. the most
common head is the standard or square head which is used to lay out or
check right and 45 degree angle.

14.Angle Plate – assist in holding the workpiece perpendicular to the

table. It is made of high Quality material (generally spheroidal cast iron)
that has been stabilized to prevent further movement or distortion.
Slotted holes or T bolt slot are machined into the surface to enable the
secure attachment or clamping of workpieces plate, and also of the plate
to the worktable.

Layout Equipment

1. Surface plate or marking out table - is a slod, flat used as the main
horizontal reference plane for precision inspection, marking out layout
(layout), and tooling setup. The surface plate is often used as the
baseline for all measurements to the workpiece, therefore one primary
surface in finished extremely flat with accuracy up to
0.00001”/0.00025” mm for grade AA or AAA plate. Surface plate are
very common toll in the manufacturing industry and are often
permanently attached to robotic type inspection devices such as
voordinate-measuring machine.

Layout supply and Materials.

1. Layout Dye - is a fast-drying colored liquid, usually a very deep

blue, that is brushed onto a workpiece to prepare it for laying out
guide lines. When scribed with a sharp marking tools such as a
scriber, surface gauge or height gauge, the dye surface is
penetrated leaving a shiny metallic line on the workpiece along the
scribe mark.