Shop Layout & Marking Tools

Introduction
Laying out is the process of scribing or marking center
points, circles, arcs, or straight lines on metal to indicate
the shape of the object. The layout will help the machinist
determine the amount of material to be removed, although
the size for rough and finish cuts must be checked by
actual measurements.
All layouts must be made from a baseline (datum) or
finished surface to ensure an accurate layout, correct
dimensions, and proper location of holes. The importance
of proper layout cannot be over-emphasized. The accuracy
of the finished product depends greatly on the accuracy of
the layout.
Basic Layout Tools
1. Scribers
The scriber has a hardened steel point, or points, and may
be used in conjunction with a combination square, a rule,
or a straight edge to draw straight lines. On some
scribers, one end is bent at an angle to allow marking
lines in hard to reach paces. To be accurate, any layout
requires fine lines; therefore the scriber point must
Laying out using a scriber
always be sharp.
Typical Scribers

• Pocket Scriber - These are small scribers about 100mm

(4″) in length. They often feature replaceable tips and a
hexagonal head to prevent them from rolling off work
surfaces.

Pocket scriber
• Machinist’s Scribers - Machinist’s scribers are
just longer versions of pocket scribers, usually
150-200mm (6-8″) long. They often have a clip
similar to a pin to secure them onto jacket
pockets and prevent them from rolling off work
surfaces.

• Double-Ended Scribers - These scribers feature Machinist’s scriber

a straight point at one end of the scriber and can
have a variety of angled points at the other.

The angled point allows lines to be marked on

the workpiece in confined areas such as inside
holes or on the underside of ridges.
Double-ended scriber
• Knife Edge Scriber - Knife edge scribers have a straight point at one end and a
flat knife blade at the other and can range in length from 100-250mm (4-10″).
The knife blade is used for marking lines on wood, plastic and other soft material.

They have several other names including ‘striking knives’, ‘scoring knives’,
‘layout knives’ and ‘marking knives’, although most of these will only feature the
knife blade and not have a scriber point at the other end.

Knife edge scriber

2. Dividers
A divider consists of a pair of steel legs adjusted by a
screw and nut and held together by a circular spring at
one end, in which is inserted a handle. It is available in
sizes from 2 to 8 in. the size is the length of the legs from
the pivot to the point. Dividers are used for measuring the
distance between points, for transferring a measurement
directly from a rule, and for scribing circle and arcs on A divider

metal.

Parts of a spring
divider
3. Trammel
A trammel, also called a beam compass is a type of divider preferred for scribing
large circles. It consists of a steel bar and two legs. In the end of each leg is a steel
point. The legs are locked on the bar by tightening a knurled nut on the top of the leg.
One of the legs has an adjusting screw attached. In setting the trammel to a required
dimensions, one leg is secured to one end of the bar; the other leg, with the adjusting
screw, is moved from the first leg to approximate the correct distance.

Tram
Beam

Adjusting screw
Scribing points

A trammel Laying out using a trammel

4. Hermaphrodite Caliper
A hermaphrodite caliper (known as Jenny caliper) has two
legs, which work on a hinge joint. One leg is similar to a
leg of a divider and the other is similar in shape to a leg of
an inside caliper. Hermaphrodite calipers may be used to
scribe arcs, or as a marking gage in layout work.

To set hermaphrodite caliper to a

rule, adjust the scriber leg until it A hermaphrodite caliper
is slightly shorter than the curved
leg. Then, with the curved leg set
on the end of a rule, adjust the
scriber leg to a point opposite the
required length on the rule.
5. Try Square
A try square is a small, light square that has a hardened
steel blade without graduations. The blade is firmly held
onto the beam by means of a special clamp screw. It is
used for checking the squareness of many types of small
work when extreme accuracy is not required. A try square

Scribing lines using a try square Checking squareness using a try square
6. Center Square
A center square consist of a 90 angular head, which fits on a steel rule. It can
be clamped at any position along the rule. The edge of the rule bisects the
right angle of the head. It is used to locate the centers of round workpieces.
While the angular head is held tight against the circumference of the stock,
two lines are scribed about 90 apart along the rule. The intersection of these
two lines is the center of the circle.

A center square
Locating the center of circular workpiece
7. Combination Square
A combination square is widely used tool for laying out, squaring, and checking
work. It consist of a square head and a steel rule. It differs from any other squares
because it has a 45 miter face in addition to the 90 face. The head may be made of
a hardened steel or cast iron and can be moved along the rule and clamped securely
at any desired measurement or position.

Parts of a combination square

8. Surface Gage
A surface gage is a tool consisting of a
steel base with a rotating clamp, which
holds a steel spindle. On the spindle is
clamped a scriber. The base has a V-
shaped groove, which makes it
convenient for use on cylindrical work.
A linear guide is provided by two gage
pins, which may be pushed down
through the base. The spindle may be
rotated to any required positions, even
below the flat surface of the base. A
rocker adjusting screw is used so that
the spindle may be adjusted to the A surface gage
exact dimensions required. Parts of a surface gage
9. Surface Plates
A surface plate is a very important and expensive piece of equipment used for laying
out and inspecting workpieces. The importance of surface plate is that it provides a
true, smooth, plane surface from which accurate measurements may be made. These
plates are made of either cast iron or granite plates. Rough work and tools such as
files should never be placed on a precision surface plate. When not in use, the plate is
usually protected by a wood cover.

A surface Plate

A surface Plate with a Vernier height gage

10. Punches
1. A center punch is used to mark the center of a point. It is
usually used to mark the center of a hole when drilling holes.
A drill has the tendency to "wander" if it does not start in a
recess. A center punch forms a large enough dimple to
"guide" the tip of the drill. The tip of a center punch has an
angle between 60 and 90 degrees. When drilling larger holes,
and the web, that is the center of the drill tip, is wider than
the indentation produced by a center punch, the drilling of A center punch
a pilot hole is usually needed.

2. A prick punch is similar to a center punch but used

for marking out. It has a sharper angled tip to produce a
narrower and deeper indentation. The indentation can then be
enlarged with a center punch for drilling. The tip of a prick
punch is 40 degrees (the angle depends on what type of prick A prick punch
punch one is using). It is also known as a dot punch.
3. The Aligning punch is inserted into pre-drilled holes, used to line up pin holes. It
is long , thin and a little taper

4. The Starting/Drift punch is used partially to drive out pins, shafts, and metal rods
from holes. It is thick and heavily tapered.

5. The Pin Punch is a finishing punch used to drive pins, and shafts out after drift
has been used.

Aligning punch Starting punch Pin punch

11. Angle Plates
Used to fix work at right-angles to a Surface Plate or at an angle to it (also used to
bolt work to for machining operations)
12. Vee-Blocks
Used to hold round bar in position on the Surface Plate to enable it to be marked on.
13. Dial Test Indicator (DTI)
Used to check that a component is parallel to the Surface Plate or flat or to check
a bar is round by rotating it on Vee Blocks whilst a DTI is held against it.

Dial test indicator

Angle plate Vee- Block

14. Clamps
Clamps are used when the workpiece has to be
securely fixed to another piece of equipment, e.g.
to the face of an angle plate.
Types of Clamps
1. The toolmakers’ clamp has a number of uses. It can
be used to clamp materials together, to enable marking
out and even during welding. Toolmakers’ camps are
sometimes used to secure materials during drilling,
although often, more capable clamps are available for
this process. The jaws are made from mild steel that
have been case hardened. The adjusting screws(center
and outer screws), are knurled because they are
‘adjusted’ by hand.
The two illustrations, show the toolmakers’
clamp being used to secure and hold
material, during practical work.

Toolmakers’ clamps can used, to secure material to an angle plate, prior to being drilled,
using a bench drill. The angle plate has been secured to the table of the drilling machine,
by bolts. Two toolmakers’ clamps, are use to secure the material, to the vertical side of
the angle plate. Note: this system of securing work for drilling, is fine for ‘lighter’
materials.
2. A C-clamp or G-clamp or G-cramp is a type of clamp device typically used to
hold a wood or metal work piece, and often used in, but are not limited to, carpentry
and welding. Often believed that these clamps are called "C" clamps because of
their C-shaped frame, or also often called C-clamps or G-clamps because including
the screw part, they are shaped like an uppercase letter G. However, in fact, they
were originally called a carriage maker's clamp, or Carriage Clamp.

C or G clamp
C clamp is used during during operation
15. Layout Solutions
The surface of the metal is usually coated with a layout solution to make lines
visible. There are several types of layout solutions available. Regardless of the type
used, the surface should be clean and free of grease. The most commonly used layout
tool solution is layout dye or bluing. This quick drying solution, when coated lightly
on the surface of any metal, will produce a background for sharp, clear cut lines.
Layout dye may be applied with a cloth, a brush, or sprayed on the work surface.

Layout solution on a metal plate Layout solution