All,
What do you use to draw irregular curves, arches, … etc. that would be used, for example, in a stretcher for a book stand? I have seen those advertised in the Lee Valley catalogue; I have a set of French curves. I need something flexible that will hold it’s shape and can be formed into a tight radius.
Thanks,
dlb
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Replies
It depends on what I am after, but I use a pretty good assortment of things. Sometimes I may use just long grained even textured battens, but most times I may use a jig that I made many years ago for making ellipses of any size and proportion.
However, lots of changing curves can be achieved by using a thin tapered strip of wood. The thin end will bend faster than the thick end, but still take a sweet fair curve
Thanks for the reply. Care to post a picture of your jig?
dlb
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The undisciplined life is not worth examining.
I will be happy to, but I will have to take the photos when I get a chance. I have an old friend in from out of town that I am working with to knock a kitchen out with pronto, and my brother in law of 45 years passed away this week, so I lost a lot of time being with the family. Plus I still have finishing touches to do on my last project, which I need to photograph before it leaves. Maybe I can shoot it then. Thanks for asking. I probably should start a new thread when I do, so it won't get lost at the bottom of this one. If I forget, please feel free to drop me an email to remind me. I have meant to show it before when the subject arose. I need lots of reminding.
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law - time is best spent w/ family at a time like this; so don't worry about getting pictures out. I'll try to keep this thread in mind and contact you in early spring.
Thanks,
dlb
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The undisciplined life is not worth examining.
Woodcraft has flexible curves:
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=425
You can find other implements at shops that sell drafting supplies -- yes, these things still exist in the age of CAD! I haven't had the need of late, but I expect you can still find some pretty fancy curve drawing tools at the special places that cater to ship wrights and naval architects.
Finally, you can make your own by binding a stack of thin strips of wood much as you would in a bent lamination without the glue. Use small clamps or cut slots in the strips near the ends, then run a bolt through blocks near the ends. Bend the strips to the curve you want and tighten the ends so they'll hold the curve. This won't work for irreguar curves, but it's handy for long arcs.
Verne
If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to cut it up and make something with it . . . what a waste!
Thanks for the reply. I have seen the commercial curving fixtures but am interested in your idea. Thanks,
dlb
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The undisciplined life is not worth examining.
Sometimes I use the laminate strips used for plywood edging. I get the stuff in any available color that has a long roll of it on sale. The iron on stuff can be heated together to make a stiffer guide.
As to a final guide I do a layout on scrap whatever that will take finish nails for supporting the guide. Hot glue on one side works. Once you have one strip formed the way you want that 3M spray glue on one side and keep adding strips until you have a guide that holds shape and use that for your pattern.
OH, I forgot.. Get a big roll of plumbers solder. You can form it to all sorts of shapes and use it as a layout guide for your ideas and then hot glue down. Trace and cut your pattern.
Hell, even some stripped #10, #8 solid aluminum or copper (expensive) wire!
Just me though.
I know I am in the very small minority but I know a lot more about computers than I do woodworking. As a result, I use CAD for almost everything. For most things, I make a complete project drawing in CAD. I then print them at a 1:1 scale, over multiple pieces of paper, with match lines so I can match up the paper pieces. I then tape the pieces together and tape or glue the whole life size drawing to the work piece. I then just cut along the curved line on the BS or scroll saw. I follow the same process when making curved router templates. Entry level CAD software, such as TurboCAD, isn't very expensive. I can't say if you would find it easy or difficult to learn but I think you would find it invaluable once you mastered it. But keep in mind that these are the words of a person who's moto is "If it can't be done on a computer, it just isn't worth doing."
Tom,
I use CAD exclusivly too. Sometimes I'm lucky and the boss is out of town. I can plot full size drawings on an HP plotter. That's a time saver. Now before other's slam me for stealing, I estimate the cost of each plot to be $15. When I travel I pay for my own dinners until I'm even with the company.
No need to feel guilty!
I know what you do.
The boss!!The undisciplined life is not worth examining.
For many irregular curves I draw them freehand onto templating material after plotting major points. I then cut it out and further refine it with planes and sandpaper stuck to a thin, flexible strip of wood. If it is to be symmetrical, I make half of it then flip the template to get the other half. For large curves, a flexible strip of wood works well. Again, layout the major points of the shape. Then use clamps and weights to bend the wood strip into the proper shape, trace it onto the template material, cut it out and refine it.
david
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