ClipArt ETC
A center screw bow to draw circles. The adjustable screw is in the middle of the bow.

Center Screw Bow

A center screw bow to draw circles. The adjustable screw is in the middle of the bow.

A test to check if the compass is aligned by bending the knuckle joints together and bringing the points together.

Compass Alignment

A test to check if the compass is aligned by bending the knuckle joints together and bringing the points…

Illustration of a compass with one leg at point A on the line segment and the other at Point B.

Compass and Line

Illustration of a compass with one leg at point A on the line segment and the other at Point B.

Illustration of a compass with one leg at point O on the line segment and the other at Point M.

Compass and Line

Illustration of a compass with one leg at point O on the line segment and the other at Point M.

Compass beam is used for large circles a compass or a lengthening bar cannot draw.

Beam Compass

Compass beam is used for large circles a compass or a lengthening bar cannot draw.

The modern cylindrical compass is used depending on personal preference.

Cylindrical Compass

The modern cylindrical compass is used depending on personal preference.

The modern regular compass is used depending on personal preference.

Regular Compass

The modern regular compass is used depending on personal preference.

The modern Richter compass is used depending on personal preference.

Richter Compass

The modern Richter compass is used depending on personal preference.

This small compass was carried by Mohammedans (Muslims) in Indian when traveling. It is made out of bronze and inlaid with silver. The compass has an inscription and is in the shape of a flying bird. The head of the bird is pointed towards Mecca, where a Muslim should pray towards.

Small Compass

This small compass was carried by Mohammedans (Muslims) in Indian when traveling. It is made out of…

"On horizontal center line mark off eight points 3/8" apart, beginning at right side of space." —French, 1911

Drawing Concentric Arcs with Compass and Lengthening Bar

"On horizontal center line mark off eight points 3/8" apart, beginning at right side of space." —French,…

"On horizontal center line mark off eleven points 1/4" apart, beginning at left side of space. Draw horizontal limiting lines (in pencil only) 1 1/2" above and below center line." —French, 1911

Drawing Concentric Arcs with Compass

"On horizontal center line mark off eleven points 1/4" apart, beginning at left side of space. Draw…

"Draw Horizontal line throuch center of space. On it mark off radii for six concentric circles 1/4" apart. In drawing concentric circles always draw the smallest first. The dotted circles are drawn in in pencil with long dashes, and inked as shown." —French, 1911

Drawing Concentric Circles with Compass

"Draw Horizontal line throuch center of space. On it mark off radii for six concentric circles 1/4"…

"Circles up to perhaps three inches in diameter may be drawn with the legs straight but for larger sizes both the needle-point and the pencil leg should be at the knuckle joints so as to be perpendicular to the paper." — French, 1911

Drawing Large Circles with Compass

"Circles up to perhaps three inches in diameter may be drawn with the legs straight but for larger sizes…

Bow instruments can be used for drawing small circles. Hold the the left hand and spin the nut in or out with the finger to avoid wear and stripping the thread. "Small adjustments should be made with one hand, with needle point in position on the paper." — French, 1911

Drawing Small Circles with Bow Instrument

Bow instruments can be used for drawing small circles. Hold the the left hand and spin the nut in or…

The illustration shows the finger position of the compass after the revolution. — French, 1911

Compass Finger Position

The illustration shows the finger position of the compass after the revolution. — French, 1911

The little finger on the left hand can guide the needle point of the compass to the center.

Guiding Needle Point of Compass to Little Finger

The little finger on the left hand can guide the needle point of the compass to the center.

Lengthening bar is used to draw circles bigger than 10 inches.

Use of Lengthening Bar

Lengthening bar is used to draw circles bigger than 10 inches.

"A circle may be shaded by shifting the center on a 45-degree line toward the lower right hand corner... by keeping the needle in the center after drawing the circle and springing the compass out and gradually pressing with the middle finger in the position as shown." —French, 1911

Shading a Circle Using Compass

"A circle may be shaded by shifting the center on a 45-degree line toward the lower right hand corner...…

"Draw a circle three inches in diameter. Divide the circumference into five equal parts by trial with dividers. From these points draw radial lines and divide each into four equal parts with spacers. With these points as centers draw the semicircles as shown The radial lines are not to be inked." —French, 1911

Drawing Tangent Arcs with Compass and Dividers

"Draw a circle three inches in diameter. Divide the circumference into five equal parts by trial with…

"On base AB, 3 1/2" long construct an equilateral triangle, using the 60-degree triangle. Bisect the angles with the 30-degree angle, extending the bisectors to the opposite sides. With these middle points of the sides as centers and radius equal to 1/2 the side, draw arcs cutting the bisectors. These intersection will be centers for the inscribed circles. With centers on the intersection of these circles and the bisectors, round off the points of the triangle as shown." —French, 1911

Drawing Tangent Circles and Lines with Compass and Triangles

"On base AB, 3 1/2" long construct an equilateral triangle, using the 60-degree triangle. Bisect the…

"Draw one and one-half inch square about center of space. Divide AE into four 3/16" spaces, with scale. With bow pencil and centers A, B, C, D draw four semicircles with 3/8" radius and so on. Complete the figure by drawing the horizontal and vertical tangents as shown." —French, 1911

Drawing Tangent to Circle Arcs with Bow Compass

"Draw one and one-half inch square about center of space. Divide AE into four 3/16" spaces, with scale.…