George Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 I am looking to buy a set of dividers for dove tail layout and could use some suggestions. Does anyone one have a good quality brand suggestion and also what size of dividers should I buy? Also, I know there are two types both spring dividers and wing dividers. I would like to buy 2 dividers as I am just starting with my first cutting of dove tails. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Allison Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 If price is not a issue then i would recommend getting a pair of 6in Starrett dividers, if price is an issue then I would recommend saving up and getting a pair of 6in starrett dividers...you won't regret it. I have a pair and I love them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 I have these, no complaints. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=43202&cat=1,43513,43550 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 I would go with one 6" and one 8" the best quality within your budget. I have Starrett buy once cry once Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 I may get disagreement on this one but dividers are not a real precision instrument in most applications - try garage sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 The Starretts are awesome. The Lee Valley dividers are just as good functionally. I played with that set at one of the shows and they're quality tools. FWIW I just lay out my DTs with squares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 The last I looked there were lots of vintage Starretts on Fleabay that were (surprisingly) reasonably priced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 I like 4" for small layouts like dovetails. I can't count the number I have, including Starret's, and other good ones. Important to me is the spinner handle on the top, so you can twirl them back and forth between two fingers. Important also is a fine adjustment screw-step off a guessed distance, make a tiny adjustment, and try again. The pair that gets used the most, just because they were cheap enough to leave laying around when I bought them thirty-some years are go, are these 8" Generals. The finish has long ago rusted off, but they still get the call most of the time. https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-450-10-Divider-Inches/dp/B00004T7S5/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1508500719&sr=1-1&keywords=general%2Bdividers&th=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Harvey Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 For something as small as dovetails, I would shop for a used set of drafting tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjongsma Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 I have a variety of vintage ones (starrett, etc) from estate sales as well as the lee valley ones mentioned by @shaneymack above. They all work fine, but I agree with @Tom King that for something like dovetails, a smaller 4" divider is nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 14 hours ago, shaneymack said: I have these, no complaints. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=43202&cat=1,43513,43550 I too have those & they're fine. Not too expensive either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgaron Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 They're pretty simple tools... $10 here to get you by https://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-technical-measuring-set-94447.html and then put some "nice" ones on your Christmas list. (Like with marking gauges you end up wanting a few around) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted October 20, 2017 Report Share Posted October 20, 2017 I have this divider, which works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted October 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2017 Thanks for all the great suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted October 24, 2017 Report Share Posted October 24, 2017 I got these - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CS30G28 They did not sever any fingers or explode in my face, so all was good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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