HFS
Well Known Member
Fan spacers, in the new era of pre-punched kits, are really not needed for much anymore but -
In the "old days" all of the holes (for everything) were laid out according to the fan spacer, and the convenience it brought by doing so.
So, I'll add a little bit to the last KP article about their use -
Most people from the Paolithic era probably numbered their spacer's "fingers" to allow them to keep track of the numbers of holes (or spaces) being contemplated over a given distance; but, even more convenient for a spacing callout on the plans was to mark the first few fingers with a scribe mark (with Magic Marker overlay), lining up with the adjacent finger, at a given spacing, i.e. 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 1/2", etc.
When laying out a row of holes for a given spacing callout - simply extend the spacer until the desired scribe mark aligned with the adjacent finger, then fine "tune" the spacing to coordinate with the distance over which the holes would be located.
I'm not sure how many "old school" builders did this - but it did help.
YMMV - But only by a fraction.
HFS
In the "old days" all of the holes (for everything) were laid out according to the fan spacer, and the convenience it brought by doing so.
So, I'll add a little bit to the last KP article about their use -
Most people from the Paolithic era probably numbered their spacer's "fingers" to allow them to keep track of the numbers of holes (or spaces) being contemplated over a given distance; but, even more convenient for a spacing callout on the plans was to mark the first few fingers with a scribe mark (with Magic Marker overlay), lining up with the adjacent finger, at a given spacing, i.e. 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 1/2", etc.
When laying out a row of holes for a given spacing callout - simply extend the spacer until the desired scribe mark aligned with the adjacent finger, then fine "tune" the spacing to coordinate with the distance over which the holes would be located.
I'm not sure how many "old school" builders did this - but it did help.
YMMV - But only by a fraction.
HFS