Arc Drawing Jig
Drawing small arcs is easy. Drawing larger arcs can be more challenging, especially if the radius is over a few feet. Where might you do that? Perhaps for a shallow curve at the bottom of a stretcher. The curve shown on this nightstand stretcher has a radius of about 64″. Even with a beam compass that would be a challenge.
Many years ago, I took a class from John Nyquist in which he showed a method for drawing large arcs. I don’t know where he found it, but it’s a clever use of geometry. I came up with a simple, easy-to-adjust jig to do it.
NOTE: I’m still busy helping with my father-in-law’s transition to assisted living and related issues. The last couple of weeks we’ve been clearing out his house to ready it for sale. It goes on the market in a few days and we already have seven-day-escrow, no-inspection, cash offer! That would sure simplify things…
Also, I leave tomorrow for a backpacking trip and if all goes as planned I won’t have time to post next week.
Hi Carl, i found your video on youtube. i am not very talented in geometry and was looking to draw a 15 and 25 feet radius for accurately cutting the braces for the back and top of a guitar project.
i downloaded the jig part but was not able to download the drawing arcs pdf. is it my pc thats too old?
Sorry about my english I am writing to yo from Germany.
Sincerely, Mehdi Afrouz