Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: WaRpEd on August 26, 2006, 06:53:11 pm
-
Hey guys some friends who come to the site asked me to write up how I made my jig so here goes.
I started by figuring how much curve or radius I could safely bend and then traced out a half circle on a 1/2 sheet of plywood. I used a metal yard stick and pencil as a compass I don't have the exact measurement but was around 33 inches. I chose a good grade of plywood because I plan on reusing the jig several times.
The jig measures 4 1/2 inches wide by 40 inches long on bottom.
From the side from 1 inch to 4 inches.
I cut out the radius with my jig saw (no pun intended). And sanded the edges smooth with a disk sander.
The construction consisted of plywood 2 x 4 's, drywall screws and Gorilla Glue. The 2 x 4 's act as frame to prevent warping and twisting when the wooden strips are glued over the jig.
I applied 2 coats of polyurethane spray paint to help with cleaning up any glue that gets squeezed out by the clamps.
Did I mention it takes alot of clamps?
The wood I used was bought at Lowe's and is used for door repairs.
I cut the strips with a table saw but a saw board would work as well.
the strips were cut 5 inches wide and 39 inches long so after drying in the clamps it could be cut to the finished size.
-
Here's a view of the jig in action
-
How long of a set time do you have on the work piece once you get it in there and clamped down? Any tips on helping the wood shape to the jig (do you wet it first or something along those lines?)
-
Hey Nightgod
I had about 30 minutes of time to assemble the wood layers using yellow glue, white glue may give a slightly longer working time.
I did dampen and I mean lightly dampen the Luan plywood to extend the working (clamping) time.
I didn't need to wet the wood with this angle but a more severe angle or a hardwood such as Oak or Poplar, Walnut (expensive) would require wetting.
The strips I used are 1/4 inch thick and very flexible. After clamping I left the piece in the clamps for 2 days But I live in Florida and the humidity here about 75% keeps glue and paint from drying quickly.