The cross-staff was fitted with transversals of different sizes (each having its own scale of angles) in order to keep their distances within arm's length along the staff.
Isitafu esinqumlayo salinganiswa ngezinqamlezi kubungakanani obohlukeneyo (inye inesikali sayo sembombo) ukuze sigcine umgama kubude bengalo ukuya kubude besitafu.