The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is a sliding T-bevel, also known as a bevel gauge.
A sliding T-bevel is a specialized hand tool used in woodworking, metalworking, and drafting, designed precisely for the function described in the text: setting and transferring angles. Its simple yet effective design makes it an indispensable instrument for tasks requiring the duplication of non-standard angles where a typical square would be inadequate.
The tool consists of two primary components: a handle, called the stock, and a movable, slotted blade. These two parts are joined at a pivot point, and a locking mechanism, usually a thumbscrew or a wing nut, allows the blade to be secured firmly at any angle relative to the stock. To use it, a craftsperson loosens the locking screw, aligns the stock and blade to match an existing angle on a workpiece or a drawing, and then tightens the screw. The tool now accurately holds this specific angle, which can then be transferred to another piece of material for marking a cut line or to check the angle of a newly made cut.
The text correctly distinguishes the sliding T-bevel from a combination square. A combination square is a multi-purpose tool primarily used for marking and checking fixed 90-degree and 45-degree angles. While it is highly useful for ensuring squareness, it lacks the ability to be set to any arbitrary angle. The sliding T-bevel’s defining feature is its infinite adjustability. This versatility allows it to copy any angle, such as the pitch of a roof, the splay of a chair leg, or the precise angle for a dovetail joint, and replicate it perfectly. This capability to capture and transfer any custom angle is what makes the bevel gauge a unique and essential tool for achieving accuracy in complex joinery and fabrication.
