Pair of compasses, to hold a pencil?

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pe2dave

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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)
 
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?
 
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.
 
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
 
Rutland one can use a pencil Screenshot_20210226_102255_com.android.chrome.jpg
 
@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.
 
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 ;-)
 
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.

 
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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?
 
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