Pottz, thanks for following. The theory is to assist in position the segments of a turning, mainly the open ones that will be glued to the level below. The bar is set at the level of the lower ring, then the stop block on the bar is set for the diameter of the ring that is being glued. The protractor will allow me to set the individual blocks in position against the bar and the stop block. Hopefully this will make the turning blank a little more balanced when it is mounted to the lathe.
The piece at the top will slide down and allow me to apply a little pressure to the glue joints, again in theory. I will have to remove the bar to slide the clamp down to the layer of rings being glued.