If it’s ferrous metal, try striking it on the end. You may be able to set up a weak magnetic field in the metal. Then you can suspend it from a hair, and let it spin until it lines up north and south.
As a layout man for many years, I used all types, and you’re technically right. In the beginning of that career, I was initially taken aback by the type called hermaphrodite calipers! I thought I was being kidded, just as when a co-worker told me to go and get a “sky hook” from the tool crib. Thanks for your comment, really. Lots of nice people on this site.
Two or three years ago, one of the couples at our marina on the Mississippi said they were going out to spend a night on the river. I jokingly asked them if they knew how to use a sextant as the boat they were using for their “night cruise” did not have radar or GPS.
I didn’t know it at the time, but one of the youngsters belonging to another couple who also slipped at the same marina overheard my comment. When the first couple returned the next day, he went up to them as they were tying up their craft and asked if they used their “sex tent” last night?
finkd over 9 years ago
The world’s first mugging.
Keith Kunz over 9 years ago
Fact : one could make a sundial with a drafting compass and get directions from it.
mlkirk12530 over 9 years ago
Get the point?
njchris over 9 years ago
what ever happened to that square of cement blocks hanging in the air?
emptc12 over 9 years ago
Better to call them “dividers,” as they are most commonly used for drawing, but of course that would spoil the joke.
Dr_Zinj over 9 years ago
If it’s ferrous metal, try striking it on the end. You may be able to set up a weak magnetic field in the metal. Then you can suspend it from a hair, and let it spin until it lines up north and south.
emptc12 over 9 years ago
As a layout man for many years, I used all types, and you’re technically right. In the beginning of that career, I was initially taken aback by the type called hermaphrodite calipers! I thought I was being kidded, just as when a co-worker told me to go and get a “sky hook” from the tool crib. Thanks for your comment, really. Lots of nice people on this site.
Nancy Madden over 9 years ago
you sent me a different comic instead of BC
jtviper7 over 9 years ago
Drop it and put ‘em’ up…
lvaughn99 over 9 years ago
The strip showing up on the daily comics e-mail is not BC.
miscreant over 9 years ago
Now you know why people prepared for survival situations carry guns. It is to keep what they have and not give it over to those not prepared.
jud03005 over 9 years ago
A weapon of Math instruction.
tls66548 Premium Member over 9 years ago
still getting the wrong strip
JoePhan over 9 years ago
Actually, if you know what you’re doing and can judge time fairly well you can use those to find east.
neverenoughgold over 9 years ago
Two or three years ago, one of the couples at our marina on the Mississippi said they were going out to spend a night on the river. I jokingly asked them if they knew how to use a sextant as the boat they were using for their “night cruise” did not have radar or GPS.
I didn’t know it at the time, but one of the youngsters belonging to another couple who also slipped at the same marina overheard my comment. When the first couple returned the next day, he went up to them as they were tying up their craft and asked if they used their “sex tent” last night?
Of course, guess who received the blame for this?