C.S. Osborne Extension Dividers

Pretty, pretty good.

When customers ask us for recommendations on a divider to use with our engraving tool (more engravers are coming soon), I have three recommendations.

1. Find a no-name used divider that can hold a round pencil. You’ll find these at old tool meets for about $25 to $30. The shaft of our tool is just under 0.3” in diameter.

2. A used Starrett (which is expensive but nice).

3. The C.S. Osborne #104-6 Extension Divider. It’s made in the U.S. and holds our engraving tool perfectly.

So let’s talk about the Osborne. First, it’s not a Starrett in price or quality. The knurling is serviceable. The fit and finish is worker-grade. (These are not insults.) But the Osborne has it where it counts. It holds a pencil or a movable steel point beautifully. And it holds its setting in use – always. No slipping.

The dividers have a micro-adjust knob, but I don’t use it. I crank that micro-adjust sucker down tight so that there is no chance the movable tip will move.

Other than that, what is there to say? It’s solid steel and brass. It’s nice and heavy in the hand. And it’s made in the U.S. at a fair price.

Let’s talk about the price. Because it’s variable.