New toy

[farnetti]

Ian Rathbone, in his book on painting and lining, recommends Haff bow compasses for parallel edge lining. At the moment, although not advertised, this compass, normally 57 euros is being sold at 25 euros plus P&P 9 euros.

The needle depth can be adjusted by around 3mm, the distance from jaws to needle up to about 12mm, and the jaws up to around 3mm (0.1 to 0.3 is specified, practice will tell).

I don't know if I was just lucky but if you are thinking about one this might be the time.

Ken

 

[Steph Dale]

Ken,

Are you sure that's what Ian means by 'bow compass'? When I was still using pens and film at a drawing board that was called a 'pump compass', and sold as such...

Steph

 

[farnetti]

Ken,

Are you sure that's what Ian means by 'bow compass'? When I was still using pens and film at a drawing board that was called a 'pump compass', and sold as such...

Steph

Hi Steph,

I think on their website it is called a drop bow compass. While not being able to produce very large radius lines this is not needed for my lining purposes.

Ken

 

[warren haywood]

This is the one I use. As you can see this is a bow compass with the centre wheel. There are no projections that can get in the way.
I have found the Haff compasses are a little chunky for my needs (4,7&10mm work).
This set is by Reifler.

 

[Scale7JB]

Warren, did yours need much work to the tip, or was it good to use out of the box?

JB.

 

[warren haywood]

Jon
I've never touched the tips even though the pen is from the 50's
I bought a few sets off eBay and kept the best ones, probably an initial outlay of about £150 but they have paid for themselves many times over

 

[Scale7JB]

Thanks Warren, good to know..

JB.

 

[Eastsidepilot]

This is the Haff bow compass I use, the pens were off ebay from the States and work very well, don't know how old they are.
I use a brass or copper wire in place of the point on the Haff for off setting around a model.



Col.

 

[Rob Pulham]

I have some similar to Col's. I was lucky enough to pick up a complete untouched Haff set for a fiver on the bay of E, one night when England were playing - that was my result...