Learning Layout

In the Shop - Layout Basics by James D. Thompson

III. Tools: Compasses and lead

A word about compasses and lead. This probably should have been the first page of the series.

There are a great many different types of compasses and dividers. This picture shows one of my sets.

The tool at the bottom right is for making very small circles.

Lead comes in packages as shown above. It is available in a wide variety of hardnesses. I use HB which is pretty soft. I break off a piece about an inch long and put it in the compass.

The convention is to sharpen the lead on the inside only. A piece of sandpaper on a flat surface works great. It is necessary to sharpen the lead quite often for best results.

If you always sharpen the lead on the inside you will always be able to come back to your layout after sharpening without having to readjust your compass. It is just a timesaver.

December, 2005

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