Heirloom Beam Compass | Way out of my comfort zone!

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I occasionally need to draw arcs and large circles that exceed the capacity of my Accuscribe scribing tool (amzn.to/3SQfJjM). It's pretty trivial to create a makeshift beam compass using shop scraps and a pencil but I thought it would be fun to go all out and make an heirloom-quality beam compass from walnut and aluminum.
I don't work with metal all that often so this was a bit outside of my comfort zone, but it was fun nonetheless.
If you want to download my working sketchup file, go here: thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/h...
If you plan to make one of these, here are the knurled thumbscrews I used:: amzn.to/3Dr5RHi
#beamcompass #shopmadetools
00:00 Intro to the Beam Compass
00:30 DIY Beam Compass Example
01:01 Marc's Beam Compass Inspiration
01:30 Prepping the Wood
02:09 Prepping the Aluminum
02:26 Epoxy Time
03:06 Clamping the Material
03:30 Prying the Material Apart
03:44 Flush the wood to the aluminum
04:05 Prepping the Miter Saw with the proper blade
04:33 Don't get metal in your eye...wear your safety glasses!
04:43 Taking the material to the drum sander
04:53 No better time to join The Wood Whisperer Guild!
05:20 Drilling a threw hole in the aluminum
05:36 Constructing the sliding pin and pencil holder
06:04 Glue up mistake
06:44 Catching my mistake
06:54 Fixing my mistake
07:25 Glue do-over
07:41 Cleaning up the end of the beam
07:55 Chamfering inside edges
08:10 Sanding
08:26 Drilling a hole for the pencil
08:47 Word of warning on sanding metal
09:19 How will the walnut and epoxy fair over time?
09:38 Driving aluminum pins
09:49 Adding pins to the beam
10:10 Flushing the pins
10:36 Chamfer at the router table
10:51 Flushing more pins
11:04 Attaching pencil holder
11:21 More pins with Titebond CA Glue titebond.com/
11:52 Finishing the beam compass
12:02 Bumblechutes discount! TWW10
12:14 Final Assembly
12:59 Outtakes from the photoshoot for the thumbnail
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[@woodwhisperer]

Get 10% OFF at Bumblechutes using the code TWW10: www.bumblechutes.com/?ref=tww

[@michaelbaykara2322]

Marc i like this a lot i'm going to make it, thanks.

[@CliffEdge87]

Sorry Marc, but how long was the code meant to last? I tried ordering today and the code appears to be invalid.

[@woodwhisperer]

I'll ask them what's up. Should still be valid.

[@SteveBelongie]

@@woodwhisperer still not valid :(

[@woodwhisperer]

Should be fixed now.

[@pbates33]

Beautiful in person as well! Enjoyed chatting with you at your shop. Thanks for taking time to visit with me and my wife.

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

😅😆🤣😆🤣One of the reasons why i've always LOVED your channel. You always left in the mistakes and included the fixes. AWESOME VIDEO AS usual. Beautiful Compass

[@marcuswheeler2590]

That would look good with brass too! 🙂

[@billparco8072]

The spit-take that occurred from the perfectly delivered epoxy "adhesive" dig was gloriously large. My wife hates me, but the kids loved it.

[@nathanielsnyder1323]

That is one well engineered beautiful tool Marc 👏🏼

[@ryanknox2338]

Loving the Pantera in the background. Getcha Pull On!

[@coreyloyer5001]

By the gods!! I need this! I need this really bad! Like, a 5 ft. version of it! I wanna draw 10 ft. radius circles! Your bean compass looks sooooooo good!

[@philcrannick7383]

Great build, I am always stunned by the time and care you put into shop fixtures and accessories.

[@moisesrobles7884]

Im bing following your show for a long time and Lanney shaughnessy to and Steve ramsey you guys are the best thanks for all the good times

[@VisionCrys]

I absolutely LOVE the walnut and aluminum combination!! Who cares if the pins weren’t technically needed, they CLASS things up so much. Great job Mark!!

[@TheTsunamijuan]

I love this project. When you posted a picture of it the otherday, I was sold :) The aluminum pins / rivits I think are a wonderful detail touch. Reminds me of a nice quality culinary knife handle.

[@foxeagle1]

This is great. Another person who knows how to epoxy as an adhesive.

[@aaroncashion7570]

This was even better in person. I like the mixture of materials a lot. Great build!!

[@jorgeherrera3554]

No matter how basic can be the tool. what matter is the authenticity of design that you applied in this compass. Beautiful work!

[@EeyorIs21]

YES! YES! Been waiting for this one since the sneak peek.

[@davidmanuel1984]

Love it!! Super nice tool!!! Much love from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷!!

[@PL-mz9xd]

You could easily use this compass as a panel marking gage. By making and attaching an add-on fence that aligns the beam perpendicular to the edge of a panel and replacing the pencil with a cutting edge you will have a panel marking gage.

[@abingdonwoodworks9786]

Sweet. Maybe this will inspire me to move beyond two holes drilled in a piece of scrap.

[@stevefuller7805]

Love the pause after shaft. Spit my coffee all over my keyboard.

[@PabloEskimofo]

Watching til the end was worth it for two reasons: 1. The compass in action 2. “I’m drawin’ rainbows!” 🌈

[@HarrisonFord11]

Marc first you move to Missouri and now you got Morgan Wallen playing in the background. Fellow Missourian here also, or at least born and raised then I made the big move to Oklahoma.

[@tomim7187]

Love the sirens in the distance during the outtakes! Sweet build!

[@ralphtrites3724]

I am so glad to see you’ve stayed humble in your move! (Showing your mistake & resolving it.) My want is a second clamp to replace the pencil with a marking knife! v2😊

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

Great project. And fun seeing it made in the new shop

[@glencrandall7051]

Yes you could make circles with less fuss. But I agree that having a well made, good looking, tool to do the job is much more satisfying. Especially since you made the tool yourself. A project well worth the time and material. 👍👍Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@gregnuckols1055]

Great tip about using CA glue and epoxy together! Thanks!

[@scottchristensen324]

Beautiful! Nicer than anything you could buy.

[@sgsax]

If it's worth doing it's worth overdoing. A beautiful and functional tool! Thanks for sharing!

[@johnnation713]

Marc, that was amazing restraint!!😊👍you ROCK🤘😝

[@mpmfr]

Beautiful piece Marc!

[@vichubbard3664]

That is sweet. Similar to my beam compass, but mine is a VW Bug to your BMW.

[@gizanked]

I like the project, but I like the fact that the video is laid out in 36 easy to follow chapters even more.

[@woodwhisperer]

Nicole is a chapter-a-holic.

[@keithspencersr.6806]

Outstanding build

[@bickybickford]

Beautiful tool

[@davestinyworkshop]

nice tool and beautifully made!

[@furniturerecreated]

Crazy! I have wanted to make something like this for years. I’m an artist and I draw Mandalas and would love to paint one on a piece of furniture I refinish on my channel Art Studio320 Furniture Recreated. This tool TOTALLY solves my problem and makes all kinds of projects possible especially painting a Mandala as a mural! Thanks Marc! I’m going to make one of these!!

[@Diamond_Hammer]

Gotta love those thumbnail photo sesh outtakes, lovely project as always :)

[@jameslott7069]

Love the very idea of this project. It makes me want to hand craft some tools just to pass them on.

[@steveferguson1232]

Beautiful Marc and your right it’s an heirloom piece

[@c.a.g.1977]

Wow, I don't need one, but I want one! It looks awesome, Marc!

[@coljter15]

This was my favorite video of yours yet, it was great!

[@woodwhisperer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@WoodcraftBySuman]

*epoxy? an adhesive?! blasphemy!* 🤣

[@benmooreman]

It’s just a really skinny river table

[@ericsturgulewski2399]

Nice shaft...um... project. I like that you're are advertising the guild in the videos now.👍

[@woodwhisperer]

Thanks Eric. We need to get better at spreading the word. :)

[@jimwiskus8862]

Outstanding!

[@difalkner]

Good video, good project, excellent result!

[@dennisschulze439]

Great build. Another good use for this would be cutting paper, plastic or whatever for making custom lampshades. Replace the pencil with an exacto knife.

[@tclynn10]

Dude, that's awesome!

[@Mark_Wood]

That's amazingly gorgeous

[@woodwhisperer]

Thanks Mark!

[@MCsCreations]

Brilliant work, Marc! Nicely done! 😃 I want to make one as well, but only with wood! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@thatmountain]

big step up, Spagz. looks great.

[@jasonb4350]

We all need this!

[@markkelc]

This is amazing, not sure if I have a use for one, but I really want to make one coz it looks cool!!!!

[@emilevoyer123]

That's great, thanks for the video.

[@vernsteinbrecker3759]

Nice work

[@markdmaker3173]

Awesome, I love it❤

[@brentjenkinsdesigns]

Awesome tool. Brass pins would look amazing too. Lol. Just a thought. Thanks tww.

[@jmacnd]

This project had you at the phrase "slide the shaft." Hook, line, sinker.

[@ΓΕΡΑΣΙΜΟΣΣΤΡΑΓΓΑΣ]

So useful thanks a lot great video

[@mramseyISU]

This is way overkill. I love it. It reminds me of the purple heart and curly maple mallet I made a couple years ago.

[@bobby-c7731]

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa there, Marc! What is this silliness about using epoxy as an adhesive? I've only known it to be used to put bullets, critters, and other bric-a-brac in when making tables. Oh, and those river doo dads. Epoxy as an adhesive? What will these kids think of next?

[@woodwhisperer]

😂

[@alanblasczyk1779]

Actually a beautiful Beam tool Sir.

[@jamescraft2789]

Great work as always...I'll keep using a pen and string, but this works too 🙃

[@ryangranado]

Been watch the Spag for ever and I never thumbs up or like, comment as I should. This seemed so much fun to make and still be like ya, I’ll use it that one time and it will still be 1/2” shy of what I will use it for.

[@TxStang]

What a nice shop tool ! I'd love one made with brass but the price of brass is high right now

[@sambiscits6711]

I made kind of the same mistake today doing pocket all screws. I put them on the wrong side, 6 of them. And I was consciously thinking not to do that, which tells you how good thinking is for me.

[@pmdinaz]

I'm making rainbows 🌈 Hahaha What a great tool and project!

[@brentjenkinsdesigns]

Lol. Love it! Well done sir!

[@mrgunn2726]

Ye olden string, pencil and nail method works too! :D It also does not require an expensive drum sander.

[@Wordsnwood]

Your buddy Andy Klein should send you some heirloom custom pencils to go with your heirloom custom beam compass... A plain old pencil looks out of place. 😁

[@chriscutress1702]

Beautiful tool project. Sometime I think we spend more time making jigs, storage options and tools than actually building projects.

[@georgel5308]

How do u wrap ur hands around that thick wood shaft? Great job love the content u the man

[@bobwebberkc]

I use a homemade one of these for Crokinole boards. You should make one for the family! I’m going to make this!

[@jimrosson6702]

Very cool 😎

[@MattLitkeRacing]

If you’re making another I’d look at Aluminum tooling plate instead of extruded bar stock. Much tighter tolerances on the tooling plate

[@moagoo5714]

10:50 That's a lot of money to just have sitting out! At least you're close to it and can be it's security!

[@ianpearse4480]

Cool.

[@ITubetc]

!!SWEET!!

[@deanmcaleese7438]

i just moved back to St. Charles MO. would love to visit your shop. Also check out St Charles Hardwood on Mid Rivers drive as well as U-Pick Hardwood Lumber in St. Charles. we also have a Rockler and Woodcraft store

[@10FingersWoodworking]

The compass looks great. I wish I lived in a place with access to walnut…😢 What would you say about using epoxy for floating tenons on chair legs? Would it be stronger than Titebond 2? I was thinking on also pinning the tenons too (Woodworkers are nothing, if they don’t overbuild 😄)

[@loola456]

I would've added radius measurements, great build.

[@rjgaynor8]

I have a crappy one. Now you inspired me. I am going to build an ultra fancy one.

[@PatrickMcNealMakesThings]

Love the epoxy tip. Who knew? 😜

[@scottskaperen]

This video deserves a subscribe for the zelda shirt mixed with the content subject

[@MrNotURMailman]

Very nice! In my completely unsolicited opinion it would have looked really sweet if you had used brass rod where you pinned it.

[@mattelias721]

Beautiful work, dude. I agree that aluminum in the eye is the worst. With steel you can hope it will corrode enough to wash out. Aluminum... yeah. Ask me how I know this...

[@flavorkingpluto]

Real tasteful like.

[@Planet_Brent]

I wonder if one could make a kind of plywood with an aluminum core, in lieu of layers at 90° offsets.

[@CitizenAyellowblue]

I’ve built a set of giant callipers for measuring tree diameters.🤣🤣

[@jimwiskus8862]

I forgot to inquire, where did you find the knurled knobs at? Thank you!

[@johnmccracken6497]

I call that art for art's sake. It's beautiful.

[@woodwhisperer]

Thank you John!!

[@jeffnohr9188]

Mark, you can send me your FINE beam, I could really use it. lol Great job!

[@samuelbrown1393]

Kind of random, but did I hear Pantera playing in the background while you were hammering the aliminum pins?

[@brettpeckinpaugh]

Would have been nicer, but of course more money to use brass instead of aluminum for the pins. Still very nice, I have zero need but is tempting to try.

[@jeffboykin6081]

Hey, I know that I am late watching this , but I like your drum sander. What brand is it? Do you like it? Thanks!

[@AlexK07010]

I somehow managed to get a shard of cast iron into my eye while wearing eye protection. Not sure how. Wasn't pleasant, every time i closed my eye it started to burn. Eye doc took care of it

[@tomgirotti]

Very nice project Marc! So tell us more about Bumblechutes - Polymerized tung oil + citrus solvent, right? How long does the first coat take to dry and cure? Does it offer decent liquid and scuff protection?

[@woodwhisperer]

What i like about it is it's pretty much the same thing I'd make myself if I felt like mixing my own. So it applies like any other oil and dries in a similar fashion. Drys within 24 hrs and cures over the course of days. Multiple coats is recommended if you want more protection. It does have good water resistance and scuff protection but the harder the wood, the better the finish looks (in my experience). But if you're really looking for a seriously durable finish, this would not be a good choice.

[@tomgirotti]

@@woodwhisperer Thanks Marc, that's very good to know. Regarding durability on furniture, would you say it's the same with the Hope's Tung Oil+citrus solvent or the Real Milk Paint Half & Half referred to in your other video about best food safe finishes?

[@ScottWalshWoodworking]

I would totally build that... but procrastination.

[@JerkDogJ]

@7:26 "I am Groot" *points at death button*

[@user-cd6qz4rd1t]

👍👍👍👍