An ellipse is an oval shape with no regular radius.

It is set up along 2 axes.

The “X” axis is always the longest one.

XX

Y

Y

The “Y” axis is always the shortest one.

X X

Y

YStep 1.

Mark out the “X” axis.

Step 2.

Find the centre of the X axis.

Step 3.

Mark in the “Y” axis.

X X

Y

YStep 4.

Set the compass to ½ the “X” axis

Step 5.

Move the compass to the Y point and mark off the distance along the X axis

X X

Y

Y Step 6.

Place small nails or pins at points F1, F2 and C

Step 7.

Tie a piece of string, (builders line is best) to the nail at F1.

F1 F2

C

X X

Y

Y Step 8.

Take the string around C and to F2 and tie off. Make sure it is stretched reasonably tight.

- Too tight and it will pull the nails out

- Too loose and the ellipse will be the too big

F1 F2

C

X X

Y

Y Step 9.

Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

X X

Y

Y

Step 10.

Scribe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left or right. In this example we have gone left.

X X

Y

Y

X X

Y

Y

X X

Y

Y

X X

Y

Y

Now you have created the perfect ellipse.

You can use a band saw or jig saw to cut the shape.

You can clean up the edges with a disc sander or belt sander and then make a router template for repetitive work.