Here you go, with a couple additions. There may be something like this on the market, but I like to make my own when I can. I took a piece of half inch pvc, and a half inch dowel that will fit inside.. The dowel is about an inch longer than the pvc. You will want a dowel that fits inside the pvc without too much wobble, but it also has to slide freely. I cut about half of one side of the dowel -- off the long side, not the ends, except for about an inch on each end. I put clamps on each end of the dowel to hold it firm without getting my fingers too close to the table saw blade. You could also drill holes in matching blocks, insert the dowel with a wedge or screw to hold it firmly,. Then I ran it sideways across the table saw blade, till I had a flat surface for most of the length of the dowel. So I had a dowel full round for one inch on each end, and about half a dowel between, for most of the length. Then I drilled a hold near the end of the pvc, and put a small bolt through the hole, and threaded it into a nut inside the pvc, The nut fits on the flat side of the dowel, allowing it to slide in and out. The full round of the dowel on each end keeps the dowel from falling out, or going too far in. Now the dowel can slide in and out, but when I tighten the bolt to finger tightness, it holds the dowel in position. I can use this for measuring a distance and transferring that measurement to my table saw, or wherever I need it. I put a one inch piece of pvc on the one inch end of the dowel that sticks out, just for balance and looks Now you are not limited to any set distance, and have an infinite variation in measurements. This works very well for inside as well as outside measurements. I plan to make a couple more of different sizes.
Blessings, Tom -----Original Message----- From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com]on Behalf Of Alan & Terrie Robbins Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:08 AM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Another measuring device Tom When you answer this, could I ask to include the original post as well as I have misplaced and would also like to make one. Al -----Original Message----- From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com]on Behalf Of Tom Hodges Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:48 AM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Another measuring device Can you also tell me what diameter bolt you used? I'm going to make one of these, this weekend. What do you call this device. I've heard someone refer to devices like this as a story stick, but a story stick is a completely different think. Thanks again, Tom From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tom Vos Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:19 AM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Another measuring device If the bolt stays threaded into the nut, it stays in place. There is space for the flat side of the dowel to move past the nut When the bolt is loose, but the bolt is still in the nut, allowing the dowel to slide. When the bolt is finger tight, it is against the flat side of the dowel, holding it firmly in place. This device allows for infinitely small adjustments, and is not limited to clicks or stops. It is faster than spinning a nut down a threaded rod. And it took me less than an hour to make. Blessings, Tom -----Original Message----- From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> ]On Behalf Of jim Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:19 PM To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Another measuring device hi tom i love this and will be making one soon. how did you get the nut to stay in the pvc? jim [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
