Two (of 4!) Easy Ways to Draw Perfect Arcs

Need to draw an arc of a specific length and height? What do I do? EASY!

#arc #arches #drawarcs

No matter if you’re a framing or finish carpenter, furniture maker, flatwork concrete craftsperson, or signmaker, sooner or later you’re gonna have to draw arcs. Not only that, but you won’t be able to “wing” it. That arc will have to fit into a predetermined space or possess a desirable ratio (a "fair curve") to have it look right.

All arcs have two main characteristics: width from side to side (also known as endpoints), and height (the distance from the “baseline” to the highest part of the arc). For the curious, the baseline is what you get when you draw a line connecting the two endpoints. Divide that line in half, and you will be directly under the highest point of the arc.

There are at least 4 ways that we draw arcs, and none of them are “freehanding” and hoping for a good result - we know what we are going to get in advance! We'll show these 4 approaches in 2 episodes.

In this Part One Episode, we’ll show you methods 1 & 2: Using a flexible edge and nails, as well as nails and an angled board.

In Part 2, look for methods 3 & 4: Using 2 rigid sticks fastened together as well as calculating your arc using a formula. View Part 2 Here:    • Two More Ways (Of 4!) to Draw Arcs  

Since a (true) arc is a slice off the edge of a circle, the arc has a consistent ("fair") curve from endpoint to endpoint, with no "flattening" of the curve. Method one will have slight flattening, so it will not produce an absolute arc, but it will be very close. Any technique used is going to fall into one of two basic categories. You are either going to use some form of math, or you’re going to use an edge to get that smooth curve.

You’re gonna love having these craftsman techniques at your disposal! It's another opportunity to JUST DO IT YOURSELF!

#arc #circles #design #drawing #circlechord