This is a Pinching Rod that I made for checking squareness of boxes, drawers etc. It's made out of Maple.  It's range is 21"- 34". You check both of the inside diagonal corners to see if they match. If they do then it's square. Obviously if they don't you aren't square. I also made a smaller one as well (See the photo that says update).

 

 

You unlock the new knob, slide the rods to touch opposite corners inside the box, etc. Then lock the knob. 

 

 

Here's a top view of a drawer pulled out where I'm checking the squareness of the drawers. 

 

 

Here's the small set of punching rods. 

 

 

Thanks for looking! 

Cheers! 

MrRick 

Nice!

l’m lazy, I use this 

I made one with several different length sticks but I use only one center. This is a very handy piece to check boxes.

Gerald....I don't think those can replace the accuracy of pinching rods. But hey... whatever floats your boat! Lol.

Thanks Gunny! 👍

Love it Rick. I love hand made tools like this.

Hey, do you know how much history is behind this tool? Does it go waaay back perhaps to 18th Century furniture building or?

Make me want to get out to the shop and make some. So Rick, is there a threaded insert for the knurled brass knob?

From what I understand, pinching rods or sticks were common before the widespread availability and use of tape measures. They are considered very accurate for measuring the inside of a drawer or cabinet frame and then using that exact length to set a saw or check diagonals for squareness. 

Mine do not have threaded inserts. There isn't enough wall thickness to use them. Instead the wood was tapped for 1/4-20. I doubt there will ever be an issue going this route. 

Edited November 10, 2025Nov 10 by MrRick
Grammar

3 minutes ago, MrRick said:

Instead the wood was tapped for 1/4-20. I doubt there will ever be an issue going this route. 

Brilliant! 

Thanks Rick for sharing. Making a couple sets of these have been on my "round-2-it" list for some time.

7 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Making a couple sets of these have been on my "round-2-it" list for some time.

Perhaps you need a "pinch" to get going on these Gramps. 🥸

1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Thanks Rick for sharing. Making a couple sets of these have been on my "round-2-it" list for some time.

 

Where on your list is it? LOL

54 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Perhaps you need a "pinch" to get going on these Gramps. 🥸

Real cute John! 🙂

2 minutes ago, MrRick said:

Where on your list is it? LOL

On the line my bi-focals don't focus.😆 Plus the Indiana winter shop rule is now in effect; we don't work in the shop when your tongue sticks to the tools.🤣

Lew....I forgot about those Round Tuits! Lol.

1 minute ago, Grandpadave52 said:

we don't work in the shop when your tongue sticks to the tools.🤣

Why you sticking your tongue on the tools anyways? 😄

3 minutes ago, lew said:

I actually have one similar to that. A guy in our county woodworking club made dozens of these that he hands out to new members. They seem to work quite well.😜

There's alot of them on web for sale. This one looks pretty classy!

12 hours ago, MrRick said:

Gerald....I don't think those can replace the accuracy of pinching rods. But hey... whatever floats your boat! Lol.

I think you misunderstood my post . My sticks are exactly like yours but use a thumb screw and only one keeper , not the two as you have . Not sure where I picked this up but either a Shop Notes or Wood magazine at least 20 years ago.