I have some large metal rings and want to mark and drill each one in 4 equal places around the edge. They are 650mm diameter so that makes the circumference 2040mm, but how do i work out the measurement if im using a compass to mark each place to drill? Of course dividing the circumference by 4 only gives the outside edge measurement between each mark not if im using a compass?
Set the compass to 460mm and walk it around the circumference, it should divide it into 4. Let me know if it works and I'll tell you how I worked it out ;-).
Bit of string 510mm long is your friend. Use the string as a measure to mark drill points. Job done and no maths involved
Tape some paper together and put the ring on the paper and draw round it. Cut the paper circle out, fold it into quarters, put it back on the ring and mark the drilling points.
With a pure pair of compasses. Draw round the ring on a flat sheet of paper or ply. About 30-35% or the way up the circle draw a straight line from two points on the circumference. Using just your compasses, bisect that line, and then join the two point used to create the bisector and extend it out to the circumference at both ends. That will be a diameter. Bisect the diameter and again the bisecting line will be a diameter at right angles to the first, giving two more points. You then have four equi-spaced points on teh circumference.