# What is this tool called?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool-called/340904>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 20, 2006, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool-called/340904 "2006-01-20T22:15:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool-called/340904/1 "2006-01-20T22:15:46Z")

</div>

What is [this tool](http://web.acsalaska.net/~fmurtley/calipers.jpg) called? And where can I buy one?

I am guessing it is some type of caliper, but my google fu is weak tonight.

Anybody?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool-called/340904/2 "2006-01-20T22:20:58Z")

</div>

10 point dividers, looks like Weems & Plath brand. Any marine store should have them.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool-called/340904/3 "2006-01-20T22:22:38Z")

</div>

Now\* that\* is service. Thanks **yoyodyne**.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool-called/340904/4 "2006-01-20T22:50:12Z")

</div>

No problem. I’ve seen them in 6" and 12" sizes, and they aren’t cheap.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool-called/340904/5 "2006-01-20T22:59:27Z")

</div>

DAYuuumm!! [No kidding!](http://shop.store.yahoo.com/ascscientific/10poindiv.html) Sumbitch better be gold plated!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool-called/340904/6 "2006-01-21T05:10:15Z")

</div>

One more question **yoyodyne** ; is the 6" dimension when it is open or closed? I am thinking it must be the closed dimension, right? What would a 6 incher typically expand to?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ty\_Cobb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@Ty\_Cobb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ty_Cobb)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2006, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-tool-called/340904/7 "2006-01-21T18:39:49Z")

</div>

The generic term for these types of tools is [pantograph](http://www.ies.co.jp/math/java/geo/panta/panta.html)