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Marking a clean radius on pipe can be frustrating when a tape measure and freehand line are not accurate enough. The Yaocom 2 Pcs Small Aluminum Radius Marker gives you a compact compass-style marking tool designed for pipe, tube, and other curved-surface layout work. Its 11-inch maximum radius covers circles up to 22 inches in diameter, while the folding aluminum design keeps the tool relatively easy to carry. The main limitation is simple: this is a small-radius tool, so you will need a larger marker for circles beyond its 22-inch diameter range.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8/10
Best For: Welders, fabricators, pipefitters, shop workers, and DIY users who regularly mark smaller circles and radii.
Bottom Line: The Yaocom set combines a verified 11-inch radius capacity, anodized aluminum construction, folding portability, and two markers in one package. It is practical for smaller pipe-layout work, but its 22-inch maximum circle diameter limits its usefulness on larger fabrication projects.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yaocom |
| Model | XIE-Yaocom-2669 |
| Product Type | Small radius marker |
| Maximum Radius | 11 inches |
| Maximum Circle/Pipe Diameter | Up to 22 inches |
| Material | Rust-resistant aluminum with anodized finish |
| Listed Dimensions | 6.22 × 6.22 × 0.75 inches |
| Listed Item Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Color | Red |
| Marking Media | Flat soapstone, round soapstone, or pencils |
| Package Quantity | 2 markers |
| Design | Folding, pocket-friendly construction |
What Is the Yaocom Small Aluminum Radius Marker?
The Yaocom XIE-Yaocom-2669 is a manual layout tool intended to help you establish radii and circular marks on pipe, tubing, and other curved workpieces. Rather than estimating a curved line by eye, you can set the marker to the required radius and use a compatible soapstone or pencil to create a repeatable reference line.
The set contains two aluminum radius markers. Each marker supports a radius of up to 11 inches, which corresponds to a circle or pipe diameter of up to 22 inches. The holder accepts flat soapstone, round soapstone, and pencils, giving you several marking-medium choices depending on your material and shop setup.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Welders and pipefitters making radius or circle layout marks on smaller pipe.
- Fabrication shops that use flat or round soapstone for metal layout work.
- DIY users who want a reusable alternative to improvised radius-marking methods.
Skip If
- You routinely need circles larger than 22 inches in diameter.
- You need a measuring instrument with engraved precision scales or digital readouts.
- Your work requires a larger industrial radius marker for oversized pipe fabrication.
Before You Buy: The advertised 22-inch figure refers to the maximum circle or pipe diameter supported by the 11-inch radius range. If your normal work involves larger diameters, choose a larger radius marker instead of trying to extend this tool beyond its intended range.
Build Quality and Materials
The marker is made from aluminum with an anodized finish. Aluminum keeps a layout tool lighter than many steel alternatives, while the anodized surface adds protection to the underlying metal. The Amazon listing specifically describes the aluminum as rust-resistant, which is useful for tools that spend time in welding carts, toolboxes, trucks, and fabrication areas.
The listed weight is 5.6 ounces for the product, and the dimensions are 6.22 × 6.22 × 0.75 inches. Combined with the folding construction, those dimensions help make the marker easier to carry and store than a fixed, full-length layout tool.
11-Inch Radius and 22-Inch Diameter Capacity
The most important specification is the 11-inch maximum radius. Since diameter is twice the radius, that gives you a maximum circle diameter of 22 inches. This range covers many smaller pipe and fabrication jobs without forcing you to carry a much larger radius tool.
The tradeoff is capacity. A 22-inch maximum circle is useful for small and medium layout jobs, but it is not intended to replace larger radius markers used for oversized vessels, large-diameter pipe, or broad plate-layout work.
Soapstone and Pencil Compatibility
The holder is designed to accept flat soapstone, round soapstone, and pencils. That flexibility matters because the best marker depends on the work surface. Soapstone is commonly useful for visible metal layout marks, while a pencil may be convenient for compatible non-metal surfaces or general shop layout.
You should still choose a marking medium that is suitable for the material you are working on. The radius marker controls the path of your mark, but the quality and visibility of that line also depend on the soapstone or pencil you install.
Ease of Use and Portability
The folding design is one of the product’s most practical features. Once folded, the marker takes up less space in your pocket, tool pouch, welding cart, or toolbox. That makes it more convenient for users who move between workstations instead of doing all layout work at a fixed bench.
Using a radius marker is also more repeatable than trying to create a circle freehand. You establish the required radius, position the tool correctly, install your preferred marking medium, and trace the required arc or circle while keeping the setup stable.
Pro Tip: Before making your final layout line, test the marker on scrap material or make a light initial mark. Confirm the center point, radius setting, and soapstone or pencil position before committing to a cut line.
How It Performs in Real Use
Pipe and Tube Layout
For pipe and tubing within its capacity, the Yaocom marker gives you a controlled way to establish curved reference marks. This can be more consistent than measuring several points individually and trying to connect them by hand.
Fabrication Bench Work
On a fabrication bench, the ability to use soapstone or pencil gives you flexibility across different layout tasks. The two-piece package is also useful if you want one marker at a main workstation and another in a portable tool kit.
Mobile Welding and Field Work
The folding format is particularly useful when tool space is limited. You can collapse the marker for storage instead of carrying an extended tool that is more likely to catch on other equipment.
Occasional DIY Projects
You do not need to be a professional pipefitter to benefit from a radius marker. It can also help with hobby fabrication and repair jobs where repeatable arcs or circles are more accurate than freehand marking. The main question is whether your projects stay within the 11-inch radius limit.
How to Use It Correctly
Start by determining the radius you need rather than working only from the desired diameter. For example, a 20-inch circle requires a 10-inch radius, which is within this marker’s verified 11-inch capacity.
Secure the appropriate flat soapstone, round soapstone, or pencil in the holder. Set the marker carefully, establish your center point, and make a light test sweep. A test mark helps you catch an incorrect radius or center position before you create a heavy layout line.
Keep the tool stable as you move it through the marking path. Excess pressure can make a layout line less consistent, particularly if your workpiece is curved or the marking medium catches on the surface.
Safety, Care, and Storage
This is a marking tool, not a cutting guide or protective device. Complete your layout first, then use suitable cutting or welding procedures, personal protective equipment, and shop practices for the material and equipment involved.
After use, fold the marker before placing it in a pocket or tool bag. Keep the pivoting areas reasonably clean and avoid forcing the arms past their intended movement. If metal dust or shop debris collects around the joints, remove it before adjusting the marker again.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 11-inch radius capacity covers circles up to 22 inches in diameter.
- Anodized aluminum construction is lightweight and rust-resistant.
- Accepts flat soapstone, round soapstone, and pencils.
- Folding design makes storage and transport easier.
- Two markers are included in the package.
Cons
- Maximum circle diameter is limited to 22 inches.
- No digital readout or advanced measurement system is provided.
- Accurate results still depend on correct setup and a stable center point.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Yaocom radius marker set makes the most sense when you want a simple manual marking tool rather than an advanced measuring instrument. You receive two markers, aluminum construction, a folding design, and compatibility with several common marking media.
Its value is strongest for users who repeatedly work inside the 22-inch diameter range. If you rarely mark pipe or you normally work on much larger diameters, a different size or type of layout tool may give you better value.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Flange Wizard Small Radius Marker 72800/F119 is a direct alternative with a similar 11-inch span and 22-inch circle capacity. It also uses anodized aluminum, folds for pocket storage, and accepts flat or round soapstone and welding pencils. Buyers who prefer a long-established pipe-layout-tool brand may want to compare it with the Yaocom set.
The Fit-Up Pro D209 Small Aluminum Radius Marker is another comparable option designed for circles up to 22 inches and soapstone marking. The Yaocom product stands out mainly because the verified package contains two markers, so it may be more convenient when you want a spare or need tools at two work locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum radius of the Yaocom marker?
The verified maximum radius is 11 inches. That allows you to mark a circle up to 22 inches in diameter.
Does the package contain one marker or two?
The Amazon listing specifies a package quantity of two and lists the included components as two aluminum radius markers. This can give you a spare or let you keep one in a second work area.
What can I use for marking?
The holder is designed for flat soapstone, round soapstone, and pencils. Choose the marking medium that is appropriate and visible on your specific work surface.
Can I use it for circles larger than 22 inches?
Not within its stated capacity. The marker has an 11-inch maximum radius, so buyers who regularly need larger circles should choose a larger radius marker.
How much does the Yaocom radius marker weigh?
Amazon lists the item weight as 5.6 ounces. Its aluminum construction and folding design are intended to keep it practical for portable tool storage.
Who should skip this radius marker?
Skip it if your work commonly requires circles larger than 22 inches or you need an instrument with digital measurements or specialized large-pipe layout features. Its strength is straightforward small-radius marking rather than maximum capacity.
The Bottom Line
The Yaocom 2 Pcs Small Aluminum Radius Marker is a practical choice for welders, fabricators, pipefitters, and DIY users who need repeatable radius marks within an 11-inch radius range. Its anodized aluminum build, folding design, support for soapstone and pencils, and two-piece package are useful strengths, while the 22-inch maximum circle diameter remains the main limitation. If that working range covers your typical projects, this set earns our 8/10 rating.
