Is there such a thing as a 3D or flexible contour gauge?

[hooblah]

Like this, but I need something that can form contours in both directions:

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[Kram]

When I needed one I took slices and traced the shape of each layer onto paper.. but you could buy 10 profile gauges and stack them go avoid that.

Used to have a novelty thing.. grid of many holes on a steel plate, with many captive pins, it will take a 3d impression. No idea what to search for to find a picture of one..

 

[Bullet2012]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sculpture-Twshiny-Novelty-Creative-Thinking/dp/B078N1FRXR

 

[hooblah]

Yes kind of like that, but not quite. I'm probably going to have to improvise with spaghetti or something...

 

[Agroshield]

What do you want it for?

The answer could be simple, like cover the object in clingfilm and pour plaster of paris over it. It is a car panel, have a look at Wray Schelin on YT. He uses the fibreglass reinforced parcel tape to produce patterns for car bodywork.

 

[hooblah]

Imagine you have a 3d object that curves in various directions that you want to cut a section out of. It's difficult to mark a line on the object. I need something that will form to the contours to allow me to mark a straight or curved line. Would be straight forward with a vertical bandsaw, but I don't have one.

 

[mike 109444]

Masking tape pulled tight for a straight line and pin stripe tape for curves.

 

[Kram]

I need something that will form to the contours to allow me to mark a straight or curved line.

Bendy wire ties?

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[Agroshield]

Have a look at a 'flexicurve' - still made even though the last time I used one was GCSE maths. Generally used on the flat but there's no reason it won't conform to a convex, concave or saddle-shaped surface.

What is the object made of? If it is magnetic, again look at the car bodywork people. They use numerous small magnets to hold stuff to the panel being reproduced.

If the geometry of a vertical bandsaw will do the trick, set up a laser pointer shining down onto the object and move the object around (No Mr Bond, I expect you to die).

 

[pedrobedro]

10 Inch Multi-Functional Contour Gauge Plastic Profile Gauge Multifunctional Shape Duplicator Edge Shaping Measure Ruler for Professional Precise Measurement (3 cm Wider, Blue) : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop 10 Inch Multi-Functional Contour Gauge Plastic Profile Gauge Multifunctional Shape Duplicator Edge Shaping Measure Ruler for Professional Precise Measurement (3 cm Wider, Blue).

www.amazon.co.uk

View attachment 347558

I can't help with the 3D question but I picked one of those up from the Barnado's charity shop a couple of weeks ago for £1 and it works well.

 

[roofman]

Sorry to crash the thread but can you get longer than 10" as i have that click tiling to do in my bathroom and all the problems that brings regarding cutting around the basin,toilet etc

 

[Agroshield]

Sorry to crash the thread...

For the man who is not satisfied by 10": https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184835882297

The only issue I can see is that the increase in length comes with no corresponding increase in width capacity, so the middle could be maxed out in one direction, the ends maxed out in the other and the whole thing not fit the curve.

 

[hooblah]

Bendy wire ties?

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Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Reusable Twist Ties Foam Coated Flexible Multi Use Straps Gear Cable Twist Tie Wrap Hook Hang.

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Nice out of the box thinking, but that's most likely not going to work.

Have a look at a 'flexicurve' - still made even though the last time I used one was GCSE maths. Generally used on the flat but there's no reason it won't conform to a convex, concave or saddle-shaped surface.

What is the object made of? If it is magnetic, again look at the car bodywork people. They use numerous small magnets to hold stuff to the panel being reproduced.

If the geometry of a vertical bandsaw will do the trick, set up a laser pointer shining down onto the object and move the object around (No Mr Bond, I expect you to die).

Too flimsy, just like the idea above.

The thing with flexible items is that they can't be set in a certain way. I need something that's adjustable and able to be set in the X, Y and Z axis. It needs to form around the part without deflecting.

A laser isn't a bad idea, but as far as I know they only project a dot and not a line?

 

[Rrobson]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OOTB-93-2109-Pin-Pinpressions/dp/B000WXXW2S

 

[Agroshield]

The thing with flexible items is that they can't be set in a certain way. I need something that's adjustable and able to be set in the X, Y and Z axis. It needs to form around the part without deflecting.

A laser isn't a bad idea, but as far as I know they only project a dot and not a line?

The old flexicurve I remember from school was a square strip of lead encased in a plastic cover - one side touching the paper for drawing with pencil and the other with a raised edge for inking in. They could be used to transfer curves, so retained their shape when lifted off the surface.

A standard kitchen fitter's laser will do either a horizontal or vertical line, but it might be tricky to set it up over the object. Line laser modules are available: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333871334609

 

[Bullet2012]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OOTB-93-2109-Pin-Pinpressions/dp/B000WXXW2S

Please see #3

 

[Robbie260]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OOTB-93-2109-Pin-Pinpressions/dp/B000WXXW2S

That’s what I thought of best me to it.

 

[Rrobson]

That’s what I thought of best me to it.

See post three, we were both beaten… just missed it!

 

[grim_d]

Sorry to crash the thread but can you get longer than 10" as i have that click tiling to do in my bathroom and all the problems that brings regarding cutting around the basin,toilet etc

Put it underneath the toilet and pedestal.

 

[Hitch]

Mark a line on the bench, line it up with where you want to cut said object... shine a laser line at it from a couple of directions on the same plane, transfer with a sharpie/pencil or whatever... job done.

The basic indoor laser line generators are ideal for this sort of thing.