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Here are some ideas that may simplify the construction of live steam equipment.

Layout

You can use a dial caliper to directly mark lines on steel. The image below illustrates the technique. If you watch the video you will see he is applying a lot of pressure, which is sure to wear out the tips of the caliper. It is suggested you use layout dye on the part being marked, which only requires the lightest touch when striking a line with the sharp point of a caliper. You will want to use only low-cost calipers for this method.

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  Using a caliper to directly scribe a layout line on steel.

The technique is illustrated starting at time 5:06.

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