An ellipse is an oval shape with no regular radius

It is set up along 2 axis

The “X” axis is always the longest one.

XX

Y

Y

The “Y” axis is always the shortest one.

X X

Y

Y

Step 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 of 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 making 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 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe 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 Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

X X

Y

Y Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

X X

Y

Y Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

X X

Y

Y Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Step 9. Insert pencil in place of nail at point C

Step 10. Describe the arc by keeping the string tight with the pencil and moving it to the left and right

Now you have created the perfect ellipse.

You can use a band saw or jig saw to cut the shape clean up the edges with a spoke shave, compass plane or disc sander and make a router template.