Learning Layout

In the Shop - Layout Basics by James D. Thompson

VI.  Making equal parts

Another basic layout technique is dividing things into a number of equal parts. This can be quite frustrating when done any other way.

Let’s say that I want to divide this page into 6 equal parts. I ask myself what numbers can be divided by 6. And the answers are 6, 12, 18, 24, and so on. So now I check to see which of these numbers of inches will fit diagonally across the page. In this case 12 inches works.

So I divide 12 by 6 and get 2. That means that the equal divisions are 2” apart on the measuring rule. So I mark every 2 inches.

Now I use a square to draw lines through each tick mark I made along the rule. Thus the page is divided into 6 equal parts. No fuss, no muss, no bother! :>) (This is one of the few times when a square is essential.)

Ah, but what if the number of divisions is an odd number?

Well, then you are just out of luck! No! Just kidding!

If you want 5 equal spaces, just ask what numbers are divisible by 5. They are 5, 10, 15, and so on. Use the one that will fit across the page on a diagonal. If 10” will fit, then the marks will be 2” apart on the rule. If 15” will fit, then the marks will be 3” apart on the rule. December, 2005

The numbers don’t have to come out as even numbers. Here I want to divide the width of the page into 10 equal parts. But 20 inches will not fit in the distance across the page.

Oh, me! Oh, my! What will I do? I cannot spin the straw into gold!

Oh, yes I can! 1 1/2 inches times 10 equals 15 inches, and 15 inches will fit diagonally across the page. Sometimes you have to put on the thinking cap, but this method always works.

Measuring using metrics makes this method even easier.

December, 2005

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