Beam Compass / Trammel Points / Circle Cutter

thingiverse

I needed a sturdy beam compass to accurately draw models of our solar system for science class, plus being able to carve precise circles with an exacto-style knife. Unfortunately, the available beam compass options weren't as robust as I desired. There are two sizes; one fits standard wooden meter sticks and yardsticks, while the other is designed for 1x2 lumber, allowing you to create a compass of any size by purchasing or cutting down wood, which can be beneficial for architectural projects such as arches. The hardware consists of #10-24 hardware that's easily accessible at most home improvement stores. To make adjustments simple, I designed custom knob handles using the knob customizer created by Hank Cowdog (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:664192). For a pin, I removed the head from a 3-inch common nail and then sharpened it in my drill using a grinding stone in a Dremel tool.