How to Use a Framing Square to Make an Ellipse

To make an ellipse, you can achieve a clean line by using a framing square and a piece of wood. Using this device, you will draw one fourth of the ellipse at a time. You can use this method to outline an arch for a doorway, an opening for a sink in the top of a vanity or to make unique table tops.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood
• Brads
• Pencil
• Tape
• Framing square

1. Determine the height of the ellipse you want. In this article, the height is the narrow part of the ellipse.

2. Pick a piece of wood that is 6 inches longer than the height of the ellipse. The extra 6 inches will give you a hand grip to move the wood as you draw the ellipse. Measure and mark on the wood the height of the ellipse. Remember you will have the extra 6 inches for the hand grip on the end. Put a brad in the spot you marked for the height of the ellipse. Mark a spot on the wood that is half the height of the ellipse, and put a brad in that spot.

3. Tape a pencil to the end of the stick. Draw lines across the width and height of the ellipse, creating an X in the center.

4. Lay the framing square on the line for the width–that is, the line across the widest part of the ellipse. Be sure the inside corner is on the X, with the long leg of the framing square running to the left and the short leg running down.

5. Place the stick on the framing square. The brad for the halfway point will be on the X inside the square. The brad for the height will be against the short leg.

6. Move the stick to draw the line for the ellipse. As you do this, the halfway-point brad will move to the left along the long leg of the framing square, while the brad for the height will move up along the short leg. The pencil will create the upper left line for the ellipse.

7. Flip the framing square so that the long leg faces to the right and the inside corner is on the X. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 to create the upper right line of the ellipse. Flip the framing square so that the short leg faces up. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 to create the lower right line of the ellipse. Create the lower left line of the ellipse by flipping the framing square so that the long leg faces left and the short leg faces up. Repeat Steps 5 and 6.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are creating an arch for a doorway, you will make half an ellipse.
• Pad the brads if you are concerned about scratching the surface of the material.

Resources

• View an animation of creating an ellipse with pencil and string