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358:. Although a real pair of compasses is used to draft visible illustrations, the ideal compass used in proofs is an abstract creator of perfect circles. The most rigorous definition of this abstract tool is the "collapsing compass"; having drawn a circle from a given point with a given radius, it disappears; it cannot simply be moved to another point and used to draw another circle of equal radius (unlike a real pair of compasses).
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The screw through the hinge holds the two legs in position. The hinge can be adjusted, depending on desired stiffness; the tighter the hinge-screw, the more accurate the compass's performance. The better quality compass, made of plated metal, is able to be finely adjusted via a small, serrated wheel
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is an instrument used by carpenters and other tradesmen. Some compasses can be used to draw circles, bisect angles and, in this case, to trace a line. It is the compass in the most simple form. Both branches are crimped metal. One branch has a pencil sleeve while the other branch is crimped with a
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There are two types of leg in a pair of compasses: the straight or the steady leg and the adjustable one. Each has a separate purpose; the steady leg serves as the basis or support for the needle point, while the adjustable leg can be altered in order to draw different sizes of circles.
343:(or just "dividers"). The hinge is set in such a way that the distance between the spikes on the map represents a certain distance in reality, and by measuring how many times the compasses fit between two points on the map the distance between those points can be calculated.
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usually set between the legs (see the "using a compass" animation shown above) and it has a (dangerously powerful) spring encompassing the hinge. This sort of compass is often known as a "pair of Spring-Bow
Compasses".
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are made of all forged steel. The pencil holder, thumb screws, brass pivot and branches are all well built. They are used for scribing circles and stepping off repetitive measurements with some accuracy.
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fine point protruding from the end. A wing nut on the hinge serves two purposes: first it tightens the pencil and secondly it locks in the desired distance when the wing nut is turned clockwise.
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is an instrument, with a wooden or brass beam and sliding sockets, cursors or trammels, for drawing and dividing circles larger than those made by a regular pair of compasses.
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may be used. The better quality compass, made of metal, has its piece of pencil lead specially sharpened to a "chisel edge" shape, rather than to a point.
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368:) that such a collapsing compass could be used to transfer a distance, proving that a collapsing compass could do anything a real compass can do.
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The handle, a small knurled rod above the hinge, is usually about half an inch long. Users can grip it between their pointer finger and thumb.
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A pair of compasses is often used as a symbol of precision and discernment. As such it finds a place in logos and symbols such as the
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of the circle drawn. Typically one leg has a spike at its end for anchoring, and the other leg holds a drawing tool, such as a
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The needle point is located on the steady leg, and serves as the center point of the circle that is about to be drawn.
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332:. Some people who find this action difficult often hold the compasses still and move the paper round instead. The
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with the spike, putting the pencil on the paper, and moving the pencil around while keeping the legs at the same
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Fine
Woodworking, Build a Fireplace Mantel, Mario Rodriquez, pgs. 73, 75, The Taunton Press, No. 184, June 2006
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The
Carpenter's Manifesto, Jeffrey Ehrlich & Marc Mannheimer, Holt, Rhinehart & Winston, pg. 64, 1977
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Prior to computerization, compasses and other tools for manual drafting were often packaged as a set with
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Fine
Woodworking, Laying out dovetails, Chris Gochnour, pg. 31, The Taunton Press, No. 190, April 2007
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of the intended circle can be changed by adjusting the initial angle between the two legs.
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The pencil lead draws the circle on a particular paper or material. Alternatively, an ink
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Compasses are usually made of metal or plastic, and consist of two "legs" connected by a
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supplemented the use of compasses. Today those facilities are more often provided by
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Distances can be measured on a map using compasses with two spikes, also called a
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A computer drawn compass, used to symbolize precise designing of applications.
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programs, so the physical tools serve mainly a didactic purpose in teaching
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Flat branch, pivot wing nut, pencil sleeve branch of the scribe-compass.
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This article is about the drafting instrument. For other uses, see
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Circles can be made by pushing one leg of the compasses into the
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is used to reduce or enlarge patterns while conserving angles.
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A bow compass capable of drawing the smallest possible circles
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Cyclopædia, or an
Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences
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A compass with an extension accessory for larger circles
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6 inch (15 cm) dividers made from forged steel.
254:, a short length of just pencil lead or sometimes a
67:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
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362:showed in his second proposition (Book I of the
624:that appears on jewellery such as this pendant.
246:which can be adjusted to allow changing of the
721:(1st ed.). James and John Knapton, et al.
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316:This holds the pencil lead or pen in place.
183:instrument that can be used for inscribing
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127:Learn how and when to remove this message
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352:Compasses-and-straightedge constructions
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354:are used to illustrate principles of
608:(former German Democratic Republic).
143:A beam compass and a regular compass
65:adding citations to reliable sources
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495:by Nairne on London, 18th century (
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542:A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning
25:
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715:, ed. (1728). "Beam-Compasses".
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218:. By the mid-twentieth century,
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52:needs additional citations for
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841:Coordinate-measuring machine
199:. Compasses can be used for
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556:Compass for tracing a line.
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175:, also commonly known as a
76:"Compass" drawing tool
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691:a current vendor's product
435:Keuffel & Esser Arrow
415:are used to draw ellipse.
347:Compasses and straightedge
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413:Ellipse drawing compasses
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1085:Machine and metalworking
604:A compass on the former
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32:Compass (disambiguation)
1147:Technical drawing tools
1095:Measuring and alignment
762:Beam or trammel compass
673:Technical drawing tools
453:ellipse-drawing compass
393:Loose leg wing dividers
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1137:Navigational equipment
536:used the compass as a
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238:Construction and parts
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407:proportional dividers
304:or attachment with a
224:computer-aided design
216:interchangeable parts
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1060:Cutting and abrasive
896:Laser measuring tool
668:Square and Compasses
526:Square and Compasses
211:and other purposes.
61:improve this article
801:and alignment tools
592:One type of sector.
27:Drafting instrument
1142:Stonemasonry tools
1132:Mathematical tools
1006:Thread pitch gauge
831:Combination square
644:Mathematics portal
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18:Compass (drafting)
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811:Architect's scale
713:Chambers, Ephraim
620:The compass is a
493:reduction compass
473:reduction compass
439:set for drafting.
402:reduction compass
232:technical drawing
181:technical drawing
177:pair of compasses
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16:(Redirected from
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117:November 2023
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78: –
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72:Find sources:
66:
62:
56:
55:
50:This article
48:
44:
39:
38:
33:
19:
996:Tape measure
981:Straightedge
971:Steel square
966:Spirit level
961:Speed square
936:Radius gauge
901:Lesbian rule
871:French curve
861:Feeler gauge
835:
816:Beam compass
745:
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686:
519:
437:beam compass
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379:beam compass
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288:Needle point
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59:Please help
54:verification
51:
1110:Woodworking
886:Laser level
866:Flat spline
508:As a symbol
296:Pencil lead
201:mathematics
1126:Categories
1011:Try square
1001:Theodolite
946:Set square
931:Protractor
921:Micrometer
916:Meterstick
826:Chalk line
679:References
544:" (1611).
534:John Donne
522:Freemasons
497:MHS Geneva
477:MHS Geneva
457:MHS Geneva
209:navigation
87:newspapers
926:Plumb-bob
799:Measuring
1065:Forestry
1055:Cleaning
991:T-square
821:Calipers
666:Masonic
652:Dividers
630:See also
372:Variants
365:Elements
228:geometry
205:drafting
193:dividers
1090:Masonry
1080:Kitchen
1031:Wiggler
976:Stencil
951:Skirret
836:Compass
710::
538:conceit
471:Simple
234:, etc.
185:circles
179:, is a
173:compass
101:scholar
1100:Mining
1070:Garden
986:Square
657:Circle
360:Euclid
334:radius
262:Handle
252:pencil
248:radius
103:
96:
89:
82:
74:
1105:Power
941:Ruler
330:angle
326:paper
279:Hinge
244:hinge
191:. As
108:JSTOR
94:books
1075:Hand
1021:Vise
540:in "
320:Uses
270:Legs
197:maps
189:arcs
80:news
881:Jig
405:or
302:nib
256:pen
187:or
63:by
1128::
524:'
499:).
479:).
399:A
376:A
258:.
230:,
207:,
203:,
171:A
791:e
784:t
777:v
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124:(
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115:(
105:·
98:·
91:·
84:·
57:.
34:.
20:)
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