Main > Main Forum
how do you guys create large curves on the front edge of your control panel?
jimmy2x2x:
Couldn't you use an existing curve from something around the house or garage, clamp that item to your workpiece and run your routers base plate against that to produce the cut?
Although I am digging the monster jig! How do you secure the jig? do you have an equally monstrous workbench?
bkenobi:
There are a few ways you can make curves. None of them will give you a circle, but if you just want a consistent curve, they should work. The 2 that are easiest are:
* Put a couple nails in a board and attach a string around them that's somewhat longer than the distance between them. Use a pencil to draw a line at the extent of the string. This will make a large oval. It will take some experimenting to determine the right spacing and string length.
* Put 2 nails in a scrap "template" material. take a piece of luan (or other thin wood) that's longer than the distance between the 2 nails. deflect the center as much as you want and put a nail behind it so the 3 nails hold the bent wood in place. As long as the wood is uniform, it will bend consistently and make a really nice arc. If you want, you can add more nails spaced out evenly to make a different curve shape. Trace the edge with a pencil.
BobA:
Drawing a Large Curve
Sometimes it is necessary to draw a curve with a radius that is larger than which it is practical to use a compass.
Step 1
Mark the highest point at the center and the two lowest points at the bottom of the desired curve on a scrap piece of material, drive a nail at each mark.
Step 2
Lay a thin batten on top of the wood around the nails as shown and trace the curve.
bkenobi:
Exactly...
Breaker:
Hey all,
The jig was a 'hail mary' on my part but it did work well - I also tend to over-engineer so keep that in mind :)
jimmy2x2x - I secured the jig on my deck outside. Cutting the arc was a piece of cake with the jig and, as
javeryh suggested, I then used this piece as a template to cut several other 'test' panels. To be honest, my
template required some minor tweaking (for squareness) even after using the jig, but once complete it can
be re-used any number of times to get a perfect blank.
I found that the problem wasn't so much drawing the arc as cutting it. However, use the suggestions provided here to get the curve you want and I'll bet you can get darn good results by rough-cutting with a jig-saw
and sanding to the finished curve line. Given the size of the control panel, and the likelihood that it will be finished in t-molding, hand-finishing would be a practical option...that is if building a monster jig you'll only use once isn't an attractive option :)
Breaker.