[Woodcarver] Aligning letters on an arc

[Ivan Whillock Studio]

Here's another way to manually align letters on an arc.  Print the desired
phrase in a single line on the very top of a page (or pages), leaving the
area below the letters blank.  Let the computer space them for you.  Now
draw a line through the center of each letter (and the center of each space
if you wish) and extend the line through to the bottom of the page.  That
creates a stem below each letter.  On your work piece or a sheet of paper,
draw your desired arc (circle) with a compass, making the top of the arc
correspond to where you want the top of the letters to be.  Now, using the
same setting on the compass, set the point of the compass at the top of the
letters and make a mark below the letter on the stem, the line you drew
through it. This forms an X on the stem which  should correspond to the
center of the circle.  Cut the letters apart. Leave the stem attached to the
letter down to  just below the X.   Stack them in order, first letter of the
phrase on the bottom  of the pile.  Run a tack through the stem at the exact
point where the straight line and the compass line intersect.  You should
have a stack of letters held together by a tack.  Push the tack into the
compass hole at the center of the circle.  Now fan the letters out, spacing
them as you wish.  The letters are held in place by the tack, keeping them
on the exact arc you drew with the compass.  Tape across the stems of the
letters to hold them in position.  Don't tape across the letters themselves.
You can then (1) slip graphite paper under the letters to trace them onto
the work piece, or (2) use spray glue to attach them to the workpiece, or
(3) use tracing paper or a copy machine to make a pattern.
Ivan Whillock Studio
122 NE 1st Avenue
Faribault, MN 55021
Visit my website at
 http://www.whillock.com
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