kulmaviivain

Kulmaviivain is a Finnish term for an instrument used to measure and lay out angles in technical drawing, carpentry, and metalworking. The word combines kulma, meaning angle, and viivain, meaning ruler, and it denotes a family of tools rather than a single device. In practice, kulmaviivain refers to tools that help create precise angles or transfer angles to different surfaces.

Design and operation commonly involve a straightedge or base with a scale and an adjustable arm or a hinge that can be fixed at a chosen angle. Some designs integrate a protractor-like reading, while others rely on transferring a master angle from one workpiece to another. When set, the tool enables drawing lines at a specific angle relative to the base or aligning a workpiece along a precise angle.

Variants and usage vary by application. In technical drawing, kulmaviivain aids in constructing corners, bevels, and angled joints. In carpentry and metalworking, it is used for marking miters, setting compound angles, and ensuring components meet at the correct angle. The tool supports accuracy in layout work, verification of existing angles, and consistent reproduction of angles across multiple parts.

Materials range from steel and aluminum to durable plastics, with tolerances and readings that depend on the device’s quality. Typical features may include degree scales, metric rulers, and locking mechanisms to hold a chosen angle during marking.

See also: protractor, bevel gauge, sliding T-bevel, combination square, ruler.