Measuring a Corner

[WhistlePig]

I am trying to find out a good way to measure a corner. I am trying to replace the side cushions in the bow and I'm having a hard time trying to make the frames for the cushions. I hav already wasted two sheets of plywood trying to make these frames. I thought of taping string from one side of the bow, down into the corner and then run it down to the nose, but I can't get it to hold it's shape enough to trace it onto the plywood. Any ideas? Here is a Pic of what I am talking about. Side Panels

 

[chuckz]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Make templates out of cardboard, then cut your plywood.

 

[jimmythekid]

Re: Measuring a Corner

picture link doesn't work

 

[flashback]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Hi Pigwhistle, Chuck's suggestion is a good one..Another option I have used to replace bulkheads in a sailboat is a method I call a "tick stick" it is quite simple to do but hard to explain, but I'll give it a shot and see how much confusion I create.. I assume you are trying to cut a plywood pattern to put vinyl on for seats in the bow. I would take a 1x6 board that is as long as the area you are making the seat for and clamp it to the bow of the boat and let it run aft on the centerline of the boat at the same height as the seat base... then take a thin piece of wood say 3/4 inch square and a little longer than half the beam of the boat and sharpen one end to a point.. now lay the stick across the 1x6 and let the point contact the hull. then put a pencil mark on the 1x6 where the stick lays across it and also on the stick where it meets the edge of the 1x6. number them both no.1..... move the stick a small amount and do the same thing again and number it no.2 continue this until you have worked your way thru the curve. then simply remove the 1x6, clamp it to the plywood and tranfer the marks to the plywood with the stick then connect the dots.. Clear as mud huh...

 

[chuckz]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Another way to trace a curve is to cut the cardboard as a rough fit. Put a pencil in the hub of a wheel. Roll the wheel along the contour and the pencil will draw it.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Another little unrelated hint. Equal spaced holes. Take a piece of elastic, a rubber band, etc. If you need 5 egual spaced holes, just mark them out, then stratch the elastic to your size and lay out the marks that are equadistant, but stretched now.........

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Originally posted by Robby6950:<br /> Another little unrelated hint. Equal spaced holes. Take a piece of elastic, a rubber band, etc. If you need 5 egual spaced holes, just mark them out, then stratch the elastic to your size and lay out the marks that are equadistant, but stretched now.........

5 EQUAL I hate it when I do that..bad habit I can't shake

 

[even125]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Hi dont normally post but spend a fair amount of time reading on here, you fella's have me beat anyway!<br /><br />Another way is to mix up a very strong solution of sugar and water in a jar, place some woolen yarn into it until soden then lay this along your hull or whatever you are copying. When dry it is very stiff and can removed in one piece, if carefull a 4 foot long length can be removed intact. Although this idea is far more suited to copying inticate shapes that dont span a large area and also corners like transom angles etc. cheers even125

 

[lark2004]

Re: Measuring a Corner

ever heard of a joggle board?

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Get a length of fairly thick soft aluminium or copper wire, bend it to fit the corner, transfer the shape to the wood.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Originally posted by petrolhead:<br /> Get a length of fairly thick soft aluminium or copper wire, bend it to fit the corner, transfer the shape to the wood.

Oh, petrolhead, ya mean the ole wire coathanger trick?

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Yes I guess a coathanger would do, stiffer though and not quite as easy to conform to the shape, this is a method I've been using for years, transferring awkward shapes is something I have to do all the time in my business.

 

[flashback]

Re: Measuring a Corner

Yup, used that old wire trick myself. that wire that electricians use to connect the earth to the house works real well... bends easy and doesn't flex back as bad as steel...its about 3/16 inch thick...and single strand..