How do you scribe small circles?

[Timothy L]

Hello all. I am wondering what ideas you have for scribing small circles 1/8” up to 1/2” diameter or so. Thank you.
Tim

[redboat219]

Sewing needle chucked in pin vise and a scribing template.

[Timothy L]

Oh man - awesome!!!! Thank you redboat219!

[Das Boot]

Hello all. I am wondering what ideas you have for scribing small circles 1/8” up to 1/2” diameter or so. Thank you.
Tim

Check out Dave Merriman’s articles on scribing here. I believe he has a couple on YouTube. Also, he’s the master.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

[redboat219]

I like those improvised brass tubing hole saws.
Get the approriate size tubing. Rough up the edges then twist and twirl.

[Timothy L]

David - what is the purpose of the filler in this photo? Has it been applied AFTER scribing to help clean up edges? Was it applied BEFORE as an aid to scribing? I don’t understand. Thank you (as always).
Tim

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

David - what is the purpose of the filler in this photo? Has it been applied AFTER scribing to help clean up edges? Was it applied BEFORE as an aid to scribing? I don’t understand. Thank you (as always).
Tim

Initial scribing, with a stencil guiding the engraving tool (scribing is not a one-step process), there will result the inevitable over-strikes and miss-moves of the scribing point into the work. Even with such boo-boos you proceed till the correct outline has been engraved into the work. You then press filler/putty into the engraved work and, before the filler/putty hardens, you chase out the filler/putty -- without aid of stencil -- from those engraved lines you wish to retain. Sand, prime, and repeat as needed.

[Timothy L]

Got it David - thank you. Very helpful!