Measuring and Marking

Mark circles with a center hole

When using a compass to make circles for my chip-carving projects, there are times when I don't want to leave a hole in the center of the circle. What to do? I created a "temporary" hole from a small square of clear acrylic as shown in the drawing. For "feet," I went with self-adhesive cabinet-door bumpers (Woodcraft part no. 02S81, $7.50, 800/225-1153 or woodcraft.com).

To use the device, I first draw diagonals on my workpiece as shown at right. Next, I position the intersection of the acrylic square's scribed lines over the center mark. Finally, with the point of the compass in the center of the scribed lines, I draw the circle. Downward pressure on the compass and feet keeps the acrylic from slipping on the workpiece.

-- Merle Krug, Marion, Iowa