Q: How large a circle can I make with these?
There's no fixed limit – these Veritas beam compass heads clamp onto a wooden beam of any length, so the radius is limited only by the length of beam you use, not the tool itself.
05N5001 - Beam Compass Heads
Using a regular compass for small circles is OK, but for projects involving large circles or arcs, our beam compass heads are ideal.
The aluminum heads clamp onto a piece of wood from 5/8" to 3/4" thick, creating a compass whose radius is limited only by the length of stock you have at hand. Each brass clamping knob holds the head securely to the beam using a trapped pin that prevents pivoting and shifting. The pins withdraw as the clamping knob is backed off. The heads need only be clamped approximately as one of the points has an eccentric tip that can be used to achieve 1/8" of fine adjustment. Both points have been hardened and can be used to mark hard surfaces such as steel plate, sheet metal or aluminum.
Also included is a small pencil for marking wood and wallboard. The heads, points and pencil all pack into the slim tubular hard-shell case for storage in a toolbox.
A simple yet highly useful layout tool.
Made in Canada.
There's no fixed limit – these Veritas beam compass heads clamp onto a wooden beam of any length, so the radius is limited only by the length of beam you use, not the tool itself.
No, a hardened pin in each slider bites into the beam ahead of the clamp knob, which keeps the head from slipping or shifting during use.
Yes, the hardened points can scribe soft metals such as brass or aluminum, though for drawing on wood or wallboard you'd swap in the included pencil instead.
Yes, replacing the pencil with a standard X-Acto knife converts the heads into a circle cutter for cutting large-radius arcs in material like cardboard or thin sheet stock.
Cut a wooden beam between 5/8" and 3/4" thick, a few inches longer than the radius you need, with a height of at least 3/4" (more for rigidity on longer spans).
| Materials | Aluminum heads; brass clamping knobs; hardened steel points |
| Compatibility | Fits wooden beams 5/8" to 3/4" thick |
| Includes | Two beam compass heads (sliders); two hardened steel points (one centered, one offset); pencil; hard-shell case |
| Package Quantity | 1 set |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
| Warranty | Lee Valley Satisfaction Guarantee |
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Variations:
Veritas Beam Compass Heads
Using a regular compass for small circles is OK, but for projects involving large circles or arcs, our beam compass heads are ideal.
The aluminum heads clamp onto a piece of wood from 5/8" to 3/4" thick, creating a compass whose radius is limited only by the length of stock you have at hand. Each brass clamping knob holds the head securely to the beam using a trapped pin that prevents pivoting and shifting. The pins withdraw as the clamping knob is backed off. The heads need only be clamped approximately as one of the points has an eccentric tip that can be used to achieve 1/8" of fine adjustment. Both points have been hardened and can be used to mark hard surfaces such as steel plate, sheet metal or aluminum.
Also included is a small pencil for marking wood and wallboard. The heads, points and pencil all pack into the slim tubular hard-shell case for storage in a toolbox.
A simple yet highly useful layout tool.
Made in Canada.