Golden Ratio Calipers
Beautiful Proportions, No Maths Required.
Some pieces just feel right. The height sits well against the width. The foot looks grounded. The lid feels like it belongs. That sense of balance is not luck, and it is not guesswork. It is proportion. And now you can find it in seconds.
My steel Golden Ratio calipers take one of the most powerful design principles in the maker’s toolkit and put it directly in your hands. Set the outer points to any measurement, and the inner point automatically divides it at 1:1.618, the Golden Ratio. No calculator, no formula, no fuss.
What They Do
The Golden Ratio is a proportional relationship that turns up everywhere, from the spiral of a shell to the façade of the Parthenon. It describes the point at which two measurements feel balanced, harmonious, and resolved. These calipers have that ratio built into their geometry. Open them to any width and the relationship between the two gaps stays constant.
That means you can instantly find where the widest point of a vessel should sit, how large a foot should be relative to the rim, where to divide a box between lid and body, or how wide the bowl should be on a rimmed platter. One tool, one movement, and the proportion is right there in front of you.
Who They’re For
Whether you’re a beginner looking for a framework to guide your design decisions, or an experienced turner wanting to refine your eye, these calipers give you a practical way to work with proportion at the lathe, at the sketch pad, or at the bench.
They’re equally useful for woodturners, furniture makers, potters, sculptors, and anyone who works with form and wants to understand why some shapes just work.
Buy Your Own Golden Ratio Calipers
Steel calipers with the Golden Ratio (1:1.618) built into their geometry. Set the outer points to any measurement from 26mm to 300mm, and the inner point instantly shows you the proportional sweet spot. No maths, no guesswork.
Use them to find where the widest point of a vessel should sit, how to proportion a lid to its body, how wide a foot should be, or where to place a decorative feature. One tool that answers the question every maker eventually asks: why does this look right?
Specifications
• Steel construction
• 163mm long, 54mm wide when closed
• Measuring range: 26mm to 300mm
• You will be sent either silver, gold, or black in a plastic wallet
• Includes printed guide with basic instructions and link to private how-to video
• Use in conjunction with Woodturning: Form and Formula
• Price plus shipping using Royal Mail Tracked Services
Steel calipers with the Golden Ratio (1:1.618) built into their geometry. Set the outer points to any measurement from 26mm to 300mm, and the inner point instantly shows you the proportional sweet spot. No maths, no guesswork.
Use them to find where the widest point of a vessel should sit, how to proportion a lid to its body, how wide a foot should be, or where to place a decorative feature. One tool that answers the question every maker eventually asks: why does this look right?
Specifications
• Steel construction
• 163mm long, 54mm wide when closed
• Measuring range: 26mm to 300mm
• You will be sent either silver, gold, or black in a plastic wallet
• Includes printed guide with basic instructions and link to private how-to video
• Use in conjunction with Woodturning: Form and Formula
• Price plus shipping using Royal Mail Tracked Services