What's it called?

[maxum247]

A flexable tool used in boat building maybe four feet in length or longer used for transfering shapes to be cut in plywood or lumber? Serves the same purpose as a wooden batten but after contoured it will hold it's shape for transfer to lumber. Thanks!

max!

 

[redfury]

Re: What's it called?

Good question. I know what you are talking about, but I don't know what the name for it is either.

 

[92excel]

Re: What's it called?

are you refering to the post and scribe method? or am i misunderstanding?

i used a 3 foot section of 3/4 inch pvc and drilled a hole to holf the pencil. The you run the other end along your shape you want to transfer... it was a cheap solution for what i needed..

 

[redfury]

Re: What's it called?

Contour gauge!

http://images.toolspot.co.uk/Decorating Brushes And Tools/Budget Contour Gauge Metal.jpg

 

[maxum247]

Re: What's it called?

This is a bendable, long strip that once bent holds it' shape for transfering say the curve of the bow cap from one side of a boat to the other so that both sides are the same when done.

I'm trying to figure out how to make both sides of my bow cap on my boat come out equal when the plywood for the bow cap is cut, as it is it not now, one gunwale is out about an inch from the other so I want to transfer the measurement from the starboard side gunwale which is the correct shape to my plywood for my bowcap so each side of the gunwale will end up close to the same shape. Thought if the tool wasn't too expensive this would be an easy way to copy the correct contour of the gunwale from one side to the other. Another words the gunwales on my boat where the bow cap will set are off one side to the other about an inch about 3 ft long(the fiberglass part). Thanks!

max!

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: What's it called?

Could you use a compass to scribe the one side onto a piece of cardboard until its perfect then use the cardboard as a template for the other side? A big contour guage like that will not be cheap.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: What's it called?

Something like this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98455

I've been wanting one, just haven't been able to justify it.....


Erik

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: What's it called?

....I'm trying to figure out how to make both sides of my bow cap on my boat come out equal when the plywood for the bow cap is cut, as it is it not now, one gunwale is out about an inch from the other so I want to transfer the measurement from the starboard side gunwale which is the correct shape to my plywood for my bowcap so each side of the gunwale will end up close to the same shape.

You can do this with a scribe and paper: red rosin, etc.

Scribe one side, mark a center line. Flip it and mirror image it.

 

[maxum247]

Re: What's it called?

That would be a good way wouldn't it! Thanks!

 

[maxum247]

Re: What's it called?

Could you use a compass to scribe the one side onto a piece of cardboard until its perfect then use the cardboard as a template for the other side? A big contour guage like that will not be cheap.

Thanks for the idea, oviously I'm not real good at this kind of thing. Thanks!

 

[maxum247]

Re: What's it called?

Something like this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98455

I've been wanting one, just haven't been able to justify it.....


Erik

Same idea as show only a plastic type stacked strip that's longer, maybe twice as long and without the knobs and braces.

 

[maxum247]

Re: What's it called?

C'mon guy's! I've got to know what this tool is I can see it I just don't know how to describe it accurately. (I haven't seen one in 20 or so years).
Ok! It's flat, flexable, plastic, probably come's in different lengths, stacked in layer's on itself so it's self adjusting to hold set shape, about an inch wide. The closet thing I've found to it is an item called a flexable rule between 18 and 24 inches in length, but it doesn't adjust on itself like the one I was thinking of.
Matter of fact I wouldn't care how it worked as long it is reasonable in price and about 4 to 6 feet long (been wanting one for a long time) and I could copy the curve of the gunwale that I need to transfer.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: What's it called?

I am a tool freak and pretty inventive but I have to say that I didn't know what erikgreen suggested (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98455) even existed and what you have described is unfamiliar as well.

I remember seeing a "lead stick" once that is similar to what you've described but lead is a taboo today.

I've always simply scribed stuff or used offsets. Lauan plywood and red rosin building paper are beautiful things Don't see why you should have it easy

 

[maxum247]

Re: What's it called?

I've always simply scribed stuff or used offsets. Lauan plywood and red rosin building paper are beautiful things Don't see why you should have it easy [/QUOTE]

This tool is as simple as bend to shape, transfer the curve and your done.

max!

 

[cantaris]

Re: What's it called?

Something like this?
http://www.artstuff.net/acu_arc_adjustable_curves.htm

 

[maxum247]

Re: What's it called?

Found something on Ebay by Alvin called a Trueflex Flexable Curve 40". It's lead cored and encased so it holds it's shape once set, not the same thing I was thinking of but the only thing I can find so far, not sure if it would be ridgid enough for boat work. I think it was designed for drafting if I understand correctly.

max!