The Technic Compact Bow Compass and its Accessories

User Manual
William Jones

This user manual is designed to familiarize the reader with the Student Compact
Drafting kit. This kit is primarily designed for students in drafting, engineering, and
others who need a compact compass. This manual will introduce, describe, and
provide operating instructions for the technic bow compass as well as all parts and
accessories included in the kit. All pictures included in this manual can be found
online at http://www.maped.com/en/products/school-supplies/compasses/technicalcompasses-technic-compact.

Technical Description
The bow compass allows a user to draw uniform circles or curves of a
relatively small radius. It can also be used for stepping off uniform distances
in sequence and comparing particular distances without a numerical value.
In addition to the bow compass, this kit includes a straightedge, a pencil
vice, extra graphite, and a mechanical pencil attachment, graphite, a
graphite sharpener. The bow compass itself consists of two legs, a clamp
and a thumbscrew. By default it comes equipped with 2 standard
attachments. Every part colored in blue is a screw or clamp used to open or
close the compass or attachment.

Parts and Accessories Included in the Kit

Bow Compass and Components

This instrument is designed to be compact to make transport easy and

includes several exclusive features. (Each arm of the bow compass is
equipped with a screw that can fit the variety of attachments that are
included in the kit). The attachments themselves can be folded into the
arms to make for safe and compact transport, whether carried in the
provided case, or separately.

Standard Attachments
The standard attachments, found connected to the instrument when first
opened, can be equipped in one of two ways. One of them comes equipped
with a point and the other is equipped with a graphite tip. These
attachments are slim enough to be folded into the legs for safer
transportation outside the case.
Point
The point is designed to immobilize the paper so that the user can draw a
more stable and uninterrupted circle. When using the compass to draw
circles, the user should make sure that the point is always set at the center
of the circle. WARNING: The point is sharp and injury can result from
incautious usage!
Standard Writing Tip
This attachment is the one most often used on the compass. This tip is best
used when the outline of the circles thickness doesnt matter. If a thinner
outline is required then it is better to use the mechanical pencil attachment.
Mechanical Pencil

The miniaturized mechanical pencil is designed specifically to attach with a

clamp to either arm of the compass. An extra phial of graphite is included.
This attachment does not fold into the compass legs. Use only .5mm lead in
the mechanical pencil attachment.
Pencil Vise
This Vise can be used to substitute another writing utensil, such as a colored
pencil, a pen, or a mechanical pencil for the graphite tip included in the
compass set.
ACCESSORIES INCLUDED IN THE KIT
Straightedge
The straightedge can be used to draw a straight line and can either be used
in tandem with the compass or separately. The straightedge itself includes
measurements on its side and a small aperture to secure it when stored in
the case.
Graphite Sharpener
The Graphite Sharpener is designed to sharpen the graphite tips used in the
default tip. It is not meant to be used with any other writing utensil and
should only be used on the included graphite tips. The sharpener is meant
to be held between the users thumb and forefinger.

Operating Instructions
Drawing circles
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

Flip open the blue clamp on the compass.

Set the compass to the desired width.
Close the clamp. This will keep the compass at the desired radius.
Place the pointed tip at the center of the circle you wish to draw.
Place your thumb and forefinger around the cap.
Tilt the compass approximately 15 degrees off center.
Complete the circle by moving the compass slowly and consistently.

Folding the Compass into Travel Configuration

1) Flip open the blue clamp on the compass.
2) Open the compass to its maximum width.
3) Rotate the knob located at the end of the compass leg counterclockwise

4) Fold the accessory counterclockwise as far as possible so that it sits inside

the leg it is attached to.

5)
6)
7)
8)

Tighten the knob clockwise until the accessory is secure.

Repeat steps 3-5 for the other leg of the compass.
Close the compass.
Flip down the blue clamp.

Replacing the graphite

1)
2)
3)
4)

Rotate the blue screw at the end of the standard tip counter-clockwise.
Once the graphite is lose remove the tip from the attachment.
Place the new graphite tip into the attachment.
Tighten the blue screw clockwise until the graphite tip is secure. Be
careful not to tighten the screw too tight onto the graphite or the tip will
break.

Using the Graphite Sharpener

1) Hold the sharpener between thumb and forefinger in one hand.
2) Using the other hand, place the graphite tip into the sharpener.
3) While holding the tip against the wall of the sharpener, carefully rotate the
ship.
Removing/replacing the attachments
1)
2)
3)
4)

Rotate the knob located at the end of the compass leg counterclockwise
Once the knob is loosened, remove the accessory
Replace the accessory with the one that you wish to use
Tighten the knob clockwise until the accessory is secure

Using the Utensil Vise

1)
2)
3)
4)

Rotate the screw on the edge of the attachment.

Place the writing utensil into the vise once there is enough room to do so.
Tighten the screw clockwise until the utensil is tight.
Make sure the utensil is the right length compared to the other
attachment.

Conclusion
The Technic bow compass includes some kind of warranty maybe. Other
compasses can be found online at maped.com or in your local school supply
store. Blah Blah BLah

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