Recommendations for circle scribers for primary hull grid lines?

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nitflegal
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Recommendations for circle scribers for primary hull grid lines?

Post by nitflegal »

I'm looking at rescribing the various "panel" lines on my PL Excelsior and Enterprise refit to give something a wee bit finer than the ones on the kit. I've used an Olfa compass cutter in the past but one could hope that there is something a little more precise available these days! Any suggestions would be most welcome!
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seam-filler
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Re: Recommendations for circle scribers for primary hull grid lines?

Post by seam-filler »

To be honest, you can't get much better than a really good quality pair of drafting (draughting) compasses. The best ones will accommodate a blade where the pencil lead normally goes. You may even want to look out for an old, second-hand precision set - the ones I have are over 30 years old and probably better than most new ones.

I've never found the dedicated compass cutters like Olfa to be of much use.
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EVApodman
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Re: Recommendations for circle scribers for primary hull grid lines?

Post by EVApodman »

I have a set of compasses and calipers that are part of my father's architect set that I used to scribe lines in precise dimensions. Probably your best option is to use a set of plastic circles as a guide to scribing lines.
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jpolacchi
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Re: Recommendations for circle scribers for primary hull grid lines?

Post by jpolacchi »

A good compass fit with a scribing pointed tool.,or maybe the "yard stick" compass parts.A standard compass will only give you so big a circle.
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seam-filler
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Re: Recommendations for circle scribers for primary hull grid lines?

Post by seam-filler »

True, but the same companies that make good compasses also make beam compasses with he same fittings Some of these can draw/scribe circles up to 18 inch diameter.

They are not cheap but will last decades.
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Richard Baker
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Re: Recommendations for circle scribers for primary hull grid lines?

Post by Richard Baker »

Amazon has a fair selection of Beam Compasses which are not too expensive-

They also have a beam-type circle cutter which may work for 1:1000 saucers-
https://www.amazon.com/OLFA-9911-Compas ... y&sr=8-100
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