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General Tools 843 — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Measuring and Marking ToolsGeneral Tools 843

General Tools 843 — image 1

General Tools

General Tools 843

$3.14$5.5744% off

843/1No Color1 Count (Pack of 1) Warranty

Measuring and Marking Tools

Expert Review Analysis

The General Tools 843/1 is an adjustable pencil compass and scriber designed for marking contours, scribing lines, and drawing circles up to 8 inches in diameter. It features a brass-plated steel frame with a full-length hardened steel pin for rigidity and a positive wing nut adjustment mechanism. The tool offers dual functionality as both a steel scriber and a holder for standard pens and pencils.

✓ Best for: DIY hobbyists, woodworkers, metal fabricators, and tradespeople needing quick, portable circle marking under 8 inches. Specific use cases include scribing arcs on wood or metal sheets for cabinetry layouts, marking contours for pipe fitting or tile installation, drawing circles for clock faces or model building, and field use in construction for temporary layouts.✗ Not ideal for: Precision engineering tasks requiring fine vernier scales or circles larger than 8 inches in diameter. It is also not ideal for users requiring ergonomic grips for extended marking sessions or those needing included marking instruments.

Pros

✓Full-length hardened steel pin in metal frame provides enhanced rigidity and prevents wobbling during use
✓Brass-plated steel construction offers durability and resistance to rust for long-term tool life

Best Seller Rank History

Now#24Best#18Worst#4,468 +4

Lower = better sales rank

Rating Trend

Rating4.5/ 5Reviews1,856+180 reviews

Specifications

Design

Height168.27 mm mm

Width69.85 mm mm

Length12.7 mm mm

Weight18.14 g g

ColorNo Color

Features

Maximum Diameter203.2 mm mm

MaterialBrass-plated steel

Adjustment MechanismPositive wing nut

Pin TypeFull-length hardened steel pin

Tip TypeSteel tip (hardened pin)

General

BrandGeneral Tools

ManufacturerGE Lighting

Model843/1

Release Date2007-02-17

WarrantyWarranty

Construction

Pin TypeFull-length hardened steel pin in metal frame

Adjustment

MechanismPositive wing nut adjustment

Compatibility

Tip AcceptanceAccepts standard pens and pencils

Dimensions & Weight

Height6.63 inches

Width2.75 Inches

Depth0.5 inches

Weight0.04 pounds

Research Sources

ballardindustrial.com

globaltestsupply.com

wurthbaersupply.com

discountbuilderssupplysf.com

sutherlands.com

generaltools.com

generaltools.com

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User Reviews

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4.5

(1,856 reviews)

✓Positive wing nut adjustment allows for secure, tool-free setting changes that hold firm under pressure

✓Dual functionality supports both steel scriber tip marking and holding standard pens or pencils

✓Lightweight design makes it portable and suitable for field use in construction or layout tasks

Cons

✗Limited maximum diameter capacity of 8 inches is insufficient for larger circle layout requirements
✗Wing nut can feel stiff initially and may loosen under pressure on larger radii during use
✗Basic design lacks an ergonomic grip, which may cause discomfort during extended marking sessions
✗No included pencil or pen, requiring users to provide their own marking instruments separately
✗Jaw flexes slightly when extended to the maximum 8-inch span, affecting precision at full capacity

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Full-length hardened steel pin in metal frame ensures greater rigidity for professional trade applications
✓Accurate and reliable performance makes it perfect for marking circles and complex contours
✓Brass-plated durability combined with wing nut precision provides value in industrial layout tools
✓Adjustable design up to 8 inches is ideal for marking and scribing contours on various materials

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Holds steady without slipping, making it great for creating woodworking templates and layouts
✓Perfect size for small circles and the scriber tip scratches metal surfaces cleanly and precisely
✓Offers affordable precision for DIYers who need reliable layout tools without high costs
✓Sturdy build with rigid pin prevents wobbling, ensuring consistent line quality during marking

Users Complain About

✗Wing nut loosens under pressure when marking larger radii, requiring frequent re-tightening
✗Too basic design with a pin that is not sharp enough out-of-the-box for clean metal scribing
✗Jaw flexes slightly at the maximum 8-inch extension, reducing accuracy for large diameter circles
✗Lacks ergonomic grip for extended use, causing hand fatigue during prolonged layout tasks

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers and trade sites consistently rate the General Tools 843/1 as an accurate and reliable tool for marking circles and contours. Experts praise the full-length hardened steel pin for providing greater rigidity and the brass-plated construction for durability. It is positioned as a precision tool with industrial rigidity, ideal for professional trades needing quick, portable layout solutions, though it lacks the fine vernier scale required for precision engineering.

What Users Say

Everyday users and DIYers generally praise the tool for its sturdiness and ability to hold steady without slipping, making it excellent for woodworking templates and small circle marking. The scriber tip is noted for scratching metal cleanly. However, recurring complaints include the wing nut loosening under pressure on larger radii, the pin lacking sharpness out of the box, and slight jaw flex at maximum extension. Users appreciate the affordability but note the lack of ergonomic grip for extended use.

Common Complaints

Wing nut loosens under pressure on larger radii, pin is not sharp enough out-of-box, jaw flexes slightly at max 8 inches, lacks ergonomic grip for extended use, and no included pencil.

What People Are Saying

“Holds steady, no slipping—great for woodworking templates”
5/5 ★Lowe's usersNov 2025

“Perfect size for small circles; scriber tip scratches metal cleanly”
4/5 ★Sutherlands and Shein feedbackNov 2025

“Wing nut loosens under pressure on larger radii”
3/5 ★Amazon/Lowe's reviewsNov 2025

“Too basic; pin could be sharper out-of-box”
3/5 ★Wurth Baer Supply usersNov 2025

How It Compares

vs. General Tools 842 (Precision Pencil Compass)

Advantages

✓Accepts both standard pencils and steel scriber tip for dual functionality
✓Brass-plated steel frame offers rust resistance and durability

Disadvantages

✗Limited to 8-inch max diameter compared to 9-inch capacity of competitor
✗Lacks the slightly larger span needed for hobbyists needing 9-inch circles

Choose the 843/1 for versatile scribing and pencil use, or the 842 for slightly larger circle capacity.

vs. Starrett 3751A (Beam Compass)

Advantages

✓Lightweight and portable compared to the heavier 12 oz Starrett beam compass
✓More affordable and suitable for quick, portable layout tasks

Disadvantages

✗Limited to 8-inch diameter versus 24-inch capacity with extensions on Starrett
✗Lower rigidity compared to the highest-rated beam design of the Starrett

Choose the 843/1 for portable, small-scale layout work, or the Starrett for large professional circles.

vs. Irwin Strait-Line 2012900 (Adjustable Compass)

Advantages

✓Superior durability with all-metal construction versus plastic/steel hybrid
✓Higher rigidity with full-length hardened steel pin preventing flex

Disadvantages

✗Heavier and less portable than the lightest ~2 oz Irwin option
✗Slower wing nut adjustment compared to Irwin's quick-slide mechanism

Choose the 843/1 for durability and precision scribing, or the Irwin for quick DIY sketches and portability.