Pair of compasses, to hold a pencil?

[pe2dave]

Unable to find one (some?) online.
I'm looking for a pair of compasses, up to say 16" radius, big version of the old brass school compasses?
Anyone know where I can find them please (UK ideally)

 

[Jacob]

https://www.google.com/search?q=big...ome..69i57.13124j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[Dee J]

You could try a trammel bar instead.
https://www.rutlands.com/sp+measuri...h-khPMU__OW4XqgLeFcE_bmSZFDHPwRoCkIgQAvD_BwE#

 

[Just4Fun]

I have never seen compasses that big. At that size I would jury rig some kind of beam compass. Is that an option for you?

 

[pe2dave]

Tks @Jacob all 22" diameter max? Look to be the same set?
@Dee J - yes, then make something for a pencil? Not keen on scratching - better solution though. Thanks.

 

[Dee J]

Tks @Jacob all 22" diameter max? Look to be the same set?
@Dee J - yes, then make something for a pencil? Not keen on scratching - better solution though. Thanks.

Unless it's for frequent long term use then a batten, nail, pencil and elastic band will work perfectly well.

 

[Droogs]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-AK97108-Locking-Divider-Compass/dp/B01KA3KYJ8
or


https://www.amazon.co.uk/kuou-Profe...=dividing&sprefix=dividing+co,aps,191&sr=8-10
or

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RosewineC-...=dividing&sprefix=dividing+co,aps,191&sr=8-11
All on prime

 

[pe2dave]

@Just4Fun I have seen them (as a kid). The trammel (beam compass?) idea seems practical.
Scary price on Starret (my favourite maker), but others have some good innovations, I think they will work nicely.

 

[Jacob]

Tks @Jacob all 22" diameter max? Look to be the same set?
..

Your 32" maybe a bit big for actual compasses - they'd be very cumbersome.
What I do for large radii is drill holes in a lath - one for a pin and the other for a pencil. You only need to poke the lead through, not to actually hold the pencil - you do that with your hand. Mechanical pencils make it easier - just a thin lead holder to drill for. Countersink if the lath is a bit too thick

 

[pe2dave]

Thanks @Droogs - their 22" max diameter makes me wonder if that is most that can be handled with compasses?

 

[Dee J]

Rutland one can use a pencil

 

[Droogs]

The largest "compass/divider" i have ever seen is called a pace stick and is used to workout marching steps (32") in a given space for military parades

 

[Tuna808]

I use this one which is great....max 180mms radius.....but they might make bigger ones.

 

[pe2dave]

@Tuna808 £60 on ebay - Looks good.

 

[Just4Fun]

@Just4Fun I have seen them (as a kid). The trammel (beam compass?) idea seems practical.
Scary price on Starret (my favourite maker), but others have some good innovations, I think they will work nicely.

It isn't something I would buy. As I wrote, I would jury rig something. Just a nail through a piece of scrap and some way to hold the pencil - a hole or notch, some tape, a rubber band or even just a finger. Of course if you will be doing this often you might want to make a nicer & permanent solution.

 

[pe2dave]

It isn't something I would buy. As I wrote, I would jury rig something. Just a nail through a piece of scrap and some way to hold the pencil - a hole or notch, some tape, a rubber band or even just a finger. Of course if you will be doing this often you might want to make a nicer & permanent solution.

<grin/> Don't be so darned practical ;-)

 

[pulleyt]

I made a couple of these beam compasses following Matthias Wandel's design. They've worked well for me on the rare occasions I needed to draw an arc and you can make them to your chosen length.

 

[pe2dave]

I made a couple of these beam compasses following Matthias Wandel's design. They've worked well for me on the rare occasions I needed to draw an arc and you can make them to your chosen length.

Neat idea, grabbing the 'beam' and the pencil (indirectly) via the dovetail!

Another, even cheaper?

 

[Doug71]

I have the Veritas beam compass heads, bought them years ago, lovely bit of kit and they get loads of use but not sure it's worth the current asking price.

https://www.axminstertools.com/veritas-beam-compass-heads-610137

 

[cowtown_eric]

look fro drafting beam compasses....

Eric