A compact, simply constructed scanner for X-ray diffraction, which is employed when it is desired to investigate the texture of specimens having large grains, is described. It produces diffraction photographs having arcs instead of the discrete spots normally obtained from such material, so that the maxima on the Debye-Scherrer rings may be observed. The device is designed for use with the Raymax unit for Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Co. Ltd., but may be adapted to fit other diffraction sets. Diffraction patterns for an annealed aluminium sheet specimen before and after scanning are reproduced.