Laser projected guide circle

[Roger Davis TN]

I want to turn spheres using a laser guide circle, but I can not fine a laser pointer that projects a circle. My idea is to point laser at wood and just follow the line to cut a circle. Can anyone give some help with the laser?

[Bruce Schoenleber]

Not to sound snarky, they are called laser pointer for a reason. You need some sort of lens mechanism which will project a cone.

[Dave Bunge]

David Smith has a detailed article about a similar approach using a lamp to make a shadow of what you're turning. The shadow projects on a circle template that you draw. You just turn away the wood until the shadow matches the template. Here's a link to the article: http://davidreedsmith.com/Articles/ShadowSphereJig/ShadowSphereJig.htm

There are many more free, interesting articles on his site.

Dave

[JohnC Lucas]

I have had several laser pointers that had shaped apertures so you could create an arrow and other shapes. I used to get them at dollar general store. Here is one I found by doing a search on laser pointers with patterns
https://www.amazon.com/Style-Pattern-Pointer-Converter-Silver/dp/B00TKEE10W

[Don Bunce]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otSjut1iGGk At 2:12 in this video, a gadget is described that projects a laser circle. It's designed to center parts for drilling, but looks like it would work for your application.

[Roger Davis TN]

Thanks for the help. I will investigate.