Special Cased Instruments, Continued
Needlepoints
Needlepoints provide a stable pivot point for compasses and dividers to rotate
around while you use them. Needlepoints are either tapered, shouldered, or
a combination of the two.
Figure 2-35 shows the different combinations of needlepoints.
Protect needlepoints when they are not in use and sharpen them when
necessary.
Figure 2-35. —Needle
points.
To sharpen needlepoints, follow this table:
Step
Action
1
Wet one edge of the oilstone and place the needle shoulder against
the edge.
2
Twirl between thumb and forefinger.
3
Stroke back and forth on oilstone while twirling.
Figure 2-36 illustrates the shaping of a compass needle.
Figure 2-36. —Shaping a
compass needle.
Continued on next page
2-30
