How to Use Washers as Radius Guides

This is a tip that's so easy and makes so much sense, you're gonna look at it and say, why the heck didn't I do this before? Very simple stuff. I've got a project I'm working on here, I've got a stool base, the top for it right here. I wanna round over these corners. So one thing I could do is I could get a compass out, I could do some calculations, find a center point, use the compass to mark that radius.

I've got the simplest set of radius gauges you've ever seen in your life. Went to the hardware store, grabbed a handful of flat washers. Measure their diameter, mark the diameter with a felt tip right on the washer. Now, when I know what I need, I want a two inch radius, or a 1/2 inch radius, two inch diameter. On this project, all I have to do is put the washer on that corner, lineup the outside edges, trace it.

Very simple, inexpensive, you lose one, very easy to replace. Must-have item for your shop.