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.

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

[Zaftiguous]

This is JUST what I needed for the next step of my project! Many thanks.

[raywong]

👍👍👍excellent way, many thanks to you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[kathibecker]

Wow. I'm an artist not a woodworker and very terrible at math. I'm trying to make a rainbow with evenly spaced arcs and have been very creative trying to solve my problem, but have failed. Your first example, cantenary?, is perfect for me. Thank you so much.

[TheFilthy]

Thank you so much for t his video !! I used it and it worked perfectly for me, my span was over 75 inches and using the method with the two pieces of straight wood or wooden yard sticks, I got the arch I wanted and it fit perfectly in the window wooden frame. Thanks again.

[ebenezeridowu]

Thanks for this wonderful and single method

[jackwhitehead]

Im a boilermaket from australia, and this is phenomenal mate! love it.

[pensionat]

Jay, you are the bomb! But in a good way…lol! I was trying to do a gradual arc cut on the top of an ornamental pallet wood Christmas sleigh. I finally got it but just eye balled it then sanded it down. Your first method would have fixed my issue in a minute. Merry Christmas Jay!

[stephengrube]

Perfect, Jay! Beating my head against the wall trying to get just the right arc for the deck of my sailboat. I know the width of the deck and the height of the camber. Either of these two methods will work very well in this situation. Many thanks!

[melaniepletcher]

Very informative video. I am building a new house, that has 3 interior 14 foot openings that go into the living room. I wanted a very subtle arch. I used the second method in his video. Works awesome. Thank you for posting this video.

[sandrallewelyn]

Excellent very useful for creating stitching patterns as well. Thanks

[teamjesus]

This video was perfect. To the point, dummy proof, great explanation. Awesome job! You definitely got my vote and a new subscriber here! Keep up the good work! God Bless and Stay Safe!

[flatlander]

Well you solved my problem for today. Thanks for the idea and I also have one of those metal yard sticks.

[evidalesjr]

Jay that was very informative without allot of mumbo Jumbo, Thank You Sir.

[taradaves]

I believe the first example is a catenary, the type made by hanging chain or cable, your pushing force replacing gravity

[jlh]

Hey DirtFarmer Jay, thanks for taking the time for the tutorial on drawing perfect arcs. Can't wait to try it out on a woodworking project.

[Dragon-Slayr]

You just need 2 fingers to play snooker as the very interesting ball is underneath it

[benkuhns]

Sweet illustration, I'm going to run with it like I stole it

[jakebobday]

Been in window fitting for some time.and always struggle getting perfect arch they are always very close but this is perfection

[jeffoldham]

jay i need to draw a 43 degree arch, , , can you shouw how you measure the arc for degrees

[lepast]

How do we do an arc but like a straw shape? I want to make a car wheel for an entrance to a birthday boy party with monster truck thematic ❤?