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Automata Measurement Tools

For the most part automata measurement tools aren't very complex. It is likely surprising to some that during my work I only seldom utilize the standard tape measure. For anything under a foot I use a steel rule. I usually only use a tape measure when marking stock to build cases. It is important to remember that I use CAD to create templates for a lot of my automata pieces, so a lot of dimensions is done there and translated to the project on paper.

Here's the main measurement tools I use around my shop.


Picture
Some Handy Measurement Tools

Measuring Length, Width, Height and Angles

Lets run through the basics shown above.

Steel Rules
I keep a bunch of stainless steel rules from 12" down to 3" in length. Most are wide but I have a few narrow ones for sticking into tight spaces. The photo shows a six inch and a 12 inch rule. I prefer them to tapes for a couple of reasons. They do not bend, they lie flat on the measured surface, clean easily and come in assorted units and divisions. I have lots so I never have to look too hard for one!

Steel Squares
I use two types of squares, both are shown above. The flat one is good for marking and measuring when doing layouts as well checking alignment during assembly. I use two sizes of these squares, a 4" and a 7". I often use then to measure distance from flat surfaces since markings start right on the ends, and they are more easily held in place than a steel rule. You have to have some of these.

The second type is more like a carpenters square with a shoulder on it. I use a small machinists square the most although I have several larger others. I like it to use it to align pedestals when glueing them onto base plates. You need a miniature one like the one shown above for sure. Remember you a making little things and need little tools.

Marking Pencils
I use .5mm mechanical pencils for marking projects during assembly since they give a fairly precise line. Seldom do I mark with a blade although I have them available in my shop. Go figure!

Digital Caliper
Use this to measure the diameter of brass rods or even wooden dowels if necessary as well as other brass shapes. Also handy to measure the inside dimensions of components where the caliper will fit.

​Sliding Bevel

Sometimes I need to adjust my designs as I go. A sliding bevel is a great way to measure the relative angle of two surfaces. The angle can them be directly copied or measured with a protractor on the bevel itself. Handy when you need it, but not used frequently. 
​

Measuring Weight

Occasionally I need to know the weight of automata components. Most often this is for determining the amount of counter weight required to get a movement to return to it's rest position. I try to estimate the amount of wood I need in a counterweight when I design it although sometimes I know the space is limited and wood alone will not be sufficient, or often I just get it wrong! In these cases I attach temporary weights during assembly until I get things working to my satisfaction, remove them and determine their wait using a small electronic kitchen scale. I can then determine how much metal weight I need to add to replace the temporary ones. I just need to figure out where to put it and how to attach it. The scale is a great tool when you need it.
Return to what you need to make automata!
Conquergood Creative
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  • Automata Blog
  • Home
  • Tubing The River Styx
  • DJ's Bee Bop Palooza
    • Roles of Bees in a Hive
    • The Bee Bop Characters
  • Automata Gallery
    • Swimming With The Dolphins
    • A Boat, A Boy, And A Dog
    • The Invisible Audiophile
    • Black Bear Bliss
    • Parking Lot Wars
    • The Chase
    • Baa Baa Bad Sheep! >
      • Baa Baa Bad Sheep Photo Gallery
    • The Penguins' Revenge
    • Cirque de Poulet
    • I'm Thinking & Laura
    • The Bipolar Brain
    • Tempest in a Teacup
    • Inner Demon
    • Sewer Rat Symphony >
      • Musican Profiles
    • The Captive
    • Bored Out of My Skin
    • Waiting at the Clinic
    • The Diagnosis
    • Snowbirds
    • The Not So Early Bird - The Common Sleptin
    • 1 HP Heart Pump
    • The Trojan Cat
    • 7-1/2 Horsepower
    • Howdy!
    • The Bus Stop
    • Rhinoceros Racing
    • It's an Uphill Battle
    • When an MRI Goes Badly
    • A Moment of Silence
    • Who Slew the Chicken?
    • The Dentist's Office
    • Owl Hijinx
    • Horse of a Different Colour >
      • Horse of a Different Colour Features & Specs
      • Horse of a Different Colour Photo Gallery
    • March of the Penguins
    • The Extraction >
      • The Extraction Media Gallery
    • Poultry in Motion
    • School's Out!
    • Pond Life >
      • Pond Life Photo Gallery
    • Rat Co. >
      • Rat Co. Employee Profiles
      • Rat Co. Photo Gallery
    • Happy Birthday Daddy! >
      • Happy Features & Specs
      • Happy Birthday Photo Gallery
    • The Raving Fans
    • The Waiting Room >
      • Waiting Room Photo Gallery
    • Cottage Cabernet
    • Neighbourhood Watch
    • Check Please!
    • Fishing >
      • Fishing Photo Gallery
      • The Mechanism
      • Brutus the Catfish
      • Crawford the Crayfish
      • Bigmouth the Largemouth Bass
      • Buddy the Chocolate Lab
      • Gertrude and Heathcliff
    • Ian's African Lion Safari
    • Call Before You Dig >
      • Features & Specs
    • Crossing The Mara >
      • Features & Specs
    • Migrating Caribou >
      • Features & Specs
    • Rocket Pack Raccoon
    • Urban Terrorists >
      • Exploring the Urban Terrorists
      • Features & Specs
    • Top Gun
    • Miss Communication
    • Hula Hoop Girl
    • Java Jane
    • The Cranky Caterpillar
    • A Case in Point...
    • The Leafs Score!
    • Enough With The Fish!
  • Learning Centre
  • Automata Store
  • Workshop Tour!
    • Sanding
    • Drilling
    • Cutting
    • Measurement
    • Carving Tools
    • Hand Tools
    • Working With Brass
    • Work & Assembly Areas
  • Mechanisms, Tip & Tricks
    • The Why and How Of It!
  • Who Am I?
    • Making Automata
  • Contact Me
  • In The News
  • Links
  • The South Bay Railway
    • Murray's Mill
    • Rivers, Creeks & Ponds
    • Early Days Photo Gallery
    • Layout Photo Gallery
    • Layout
  • Totems
  • Some Other Small Projects
    • Misc Projects
  • Driving Home for Christmas
    • Designing the Float
    • A Penguin Prototype
    • The Human Flock
    • The Float Penguins
    • The Float Video
  • Members Page