Ellipse compass

[JesseM]

Does anyone know if anybody makes one of these or a similar device for drawing ellipses. All I've been able to find are templates.

During my search for one of these I found all kinds of interesting ways to draw them, but it still looks like a pain.

 

[George_N]

Here is a fairly simple method from Benchnotes, I'm sure there are lots of others.

 

[bugbear]

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-CMT- ... 554585.htm
http://www.trendmachinery.co.uk/ellipsejigs/
http://www.miterclamp.com/Woodworking_video_index.htm

BugBear

 

[woodbloke]

The simplest way needs no jig at all - two nails, a bit of string and a pencil are all thats needed. Bang the nails into a board along the major axis (these are the focal points of the ellipse) Tie the sting into a loop, place over the nails and put the pencil inside the loop, pull tight to form a triangle. Now simply move the pencil keeping the sting tight. The path traced out by the pencil is an ellipse - Rob

Edit - didn't see the notes in Benchnotes

 

[JesseM]

Thanks for suggestions. What I was looking for is something that will do smaller ellipses and sometimes larger. The videos BB posted show a technique that should work either large or small I think.

 

[Anonymous]

You must enter a message when posting

 

[JesseM]

Oooh! Using waterhead's suggestion from another thread here is a patent search that turns up a few I haven't seen before.