Help, please: Starrett 2" divider help

[Mike_Morgan]

Does anybody have a spare 277-2 Divider that I can borrow long enough to measure and make a print, so I can replicate this discontinued tool in my machine shop? I will GLADLY give the person loaning the tool a PayPal deposit as security until I can return the tool to you... approximately 2 weeks. I will also cover shipping to me and back.

Thanks in advance if you can help.

 

[Brian Marshall]

Sure, Mike. I can send you one - and a Browne & Sharp version as well if you'd like to see one of those...

PM me with an address and contact info.


Brian

 

[Mike_Morgan]

Sure, Mike. I can send you one - and a Browne & Sharp version as well if you'd like to see one of those...

PM me with an address and contact info.


Brian

I just sent you a PM, THANKS! Also, to those that use these tools, would you do anything different to improve functionality? Is 2" ideal, or would there be benefit in being slightly longer or shorter, etc.

 

[mitch]

I just sent you a PM, THANKS! Also, to those that use these tools, would you do anything different to improve functionality? Is 2" ideal, or would there be benefit in being slightly longer or shorter, etc.

for most engraving purposes, laying out borders, etc., they could be even smaller/stubbier/sturdier. 1.5" would be ok, although at some point what you'd gain in rigidity & precision would be offset by ergonomic considerations of wielding a too tiny tool.

personally, i'd like to see someone start making a set of dividers designed from the ground up for engravers.
interchangeable/replaceable points (sharp scribe, a carbide point, & micro-spherical burnishing point);
interchangeable/replaceable opposite legs (extended legs- flat & radiused- for following outer edge of part, etc.);
the ability to lock at set dimensions;
super sturdy, solid at very fine settings for laying out checkering, etc.;
max working dimension >.50" would be fine;

maybe something that doesn't really resemble the typical pair of machinists or draftsman dividers at all... :thinking:

 

[sam]

I think the 2" divider is perfect for engravers. The 3" is really just as good and the set I travel with are 3". I have a very old pair of Consolidated Tool 2" dividers that tend to be my favorite, and they lack the little knurled handle thingie on top of the spring. So if I were making dividers, I would eliminate that as I've never found it necessary for my work.

 

[allan621]

Here's a set of old Starret dividers. I sharpened one end into a graver to make the grooves for a 45 record charm I used to make. Now that LPs are coming back in style I may resharpen them.

 

[Brian Marshall]

OK, Mitch...

Let's see a drawing of this dream of yours with the bottle opener, can opener, lighted field of view, laser indicator, digital width display and MP3 player?

Kinda like a Swiss Army knife style of dividers...


Brian

 

[Crazy Horse]

for most engraving purposes, laying out borders, etc., they could be even smaller/stubbier/sturdier. 1.5" would be ok, although at some point what you'd gain in rigidity & precision would be offset by ergonomic considerations of wielding a too tiny tool.

personally, i'd like to see someone start making a set of dividers designed from the ground up for engravers.
interchangeable/replaceable points (sharp scribe, a carbide point, & micro-spherical burnishing point);
interchangeable/replaceable opposite legs (extended legs- flat & radiused- for following outer edge of part, etc.);
the ability to lock at set dimensions;
super sturdy, solid at very fine settings for laying out checkering, etc.;
max working dimension >.50" would be fine;

maybe something that doesn't really resemble the typical pair of machinists or draftsman dividers at all... :thinking:

That sure would be a universal divider, but the prototype would probably cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $3K. ;~)

 

[sam]

Have you seen the dividers made by Alexandre Sidorov in Belgium?

Alexandre dividers on youtube

 

[oiseau metal arts]

i had the bright idea of making my own dividers too.... but went a bit overboard. I still need to find time to finish the inlays on the other leg before ill give it a bath in etchant to bring out the pattern in the Damascus steel I used to make the parts.
then ill bake at 500deg. to heat blue it.

I scavenger the screw and knob off of a 3" pair of B&S dividers.

 

[oiseau metal arts]

Have you seen the dividers made by Alexandre Sidorov in Belgium?

Alexandre dividers on youtube

love that set up there!!
I saw in one of his other videos what looked like a pair of 2" dividers that were cut down to 1". loved the idea so I ended up doing that to one of the extra sets I had. PERFECT!

 

[Archie Woodworth]

Mike,
Here is a photo of my Starrett divider...got it years ago at the Avon Flea Market, just down the road from you. It was a rusted piece of junk but figured I could clean it up and besides I liked the "quick release" feature ... as it makes gross adjustments a snap. There are no numbers on it; only marking is the Starrett info.. Maybe someone on the form knows the model number. I checked the Starrett website but not joy.