HOMEMADE compass for drawing circles

[captain belly]

I was trying a draw a large circle for another project and needed a compass. I couldn't believe how cheap the ones were are the local box-marts. They all look like something out of a crackerjack box. where's the metal ones I used when I was a kid? Long story short..... I built one...... and I'm VERY happy with it. I'm going to build more. I put it on you tube to help some other poor sucker out. Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Z7Tox39GM

[thewelder]

it looks good , handy to use and very ease to do.

[TheBamBam27]

you know what they say about the mother of all invention, lol way to go bro thats using your noggin, its practical and durable i love it. i'll have to make me one now

[donnie]

great idea ..thanks

[david myers]

I like it thanks for sharing.
David

[noclue51]

Thanks i'm making some at different sizes

[drpipe]

It's very nice ... I just wanted to say in my opinion you can't go wrong with the flange wizard radius markers they are made in USA and good quality..... I was in a pinch once I had to cut a circle that was 12' 0" in so I just cut a piece of and tacked a center punch on one end and a soapstone holder on the other end had my helper hold the point in the the center punch hole and I carefully went around in a circle ... Cutting that ******* was the hard part it was 1" plate so I had to freehand it with a torch .... It worked but I had my helper using a rosebud ahead of me preheating

[drpipe]

Ok bub .... Don't get all professor on me .. I totally understand cutting tips and there purposes.... I own hundreds from tiny oooo1 to a number six that I have never used ... The plate I cut was only one inch plate ... I could have used a number 1 or 2 I don't remember I'm sure I used a two ... I do remember it had a bunch of milll scale ..... I don't know or care where you work or have worked or your skill level but I betcha my method of using a rosebud ahead preheating has been done in the past and will be done again buy lots of journeyman fabricators ... I work in Alaska we don't use a bunch of of high tech stuff my shop puts out lots of oilfield service piping equipment and tanks you name it we use track torches or plazma cutters or hand torches , slugger drills we don't use punches iron workers c and c machines sub arc or wire .. We burn rod like welders were not technicions we don't use anything else that puts welders and fitters on the bench we do it the old way it works just fine