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In the Shop - Layout Basics by James D. Thompson

Remember as you read this that I make no claim to be an expert. I am simply a competent journeyman, and the methods I use are my own.  Others may use different methods, and those are probably as good as mine.

I was taught most of my basic layout in the late 1950’s by a journeyman Millwright who was dirty, smelled bad, and was constantly spitting tobacco juice on everything and everybody near him.  He was almost illiterate, and spoke like an illiterate, and cursed constantly.  His only saving grace was that he knew what there was to know about layout, and was willing to teach me.  I will always be grateful to him for the knowledge he imparted to me.  His teaching was the basis for me learning more advanced layout later and earning my living doing layout work.  A good portion of the pipe in the mammoth California Water Project was laid out by me.

I.  Connecting two points

II.  Erecting a perpendicular

III. Tools: Compasses and lead

IV.  Bisecting a line

V.  Constructing a hexagon

VI.  Making equal parts

VII.  Constructing 4 or 8 parts of a circle

VIII.  Centering Stock for Turning

 

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Copyright © 2005 James Thompson and OldToolsShop.com.  All Rights Reserved.