Captain Al Posted April 2, 2014 Share #1 Posted April 2, 2014 Has anyone ever used (what is known here in the states as) a contour duplicator to reproduce the shape of a hull or part thereof? I awoke this morning to remember I have one of these tools (which I'll take a picture of later and post) and thought it might work really well to transfer the curvature of the hull to a flat board where dowels could be inserted, making a nice drying jig for planks. If there's been any experience with this device (which is as simple as hundreds of sliding pins that are pushed or pulled out so they just touch the surface of what they're duplicating) I'd love to hear about it before I spend the time to make it all work (or not which might happen). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usedtosail Posted April 2, 2014 Share #2 Posted April 2, 2014 I have seen them used to get the hull curvature of the bottom to make cradles. I bought one for that purpose but have not used it yet. If it was big enough it should work for getting the curve to bend the planks too. Quote - Tom - Current Build: Vanguard Speedy Completed: Vanguard Duchess of Kingston, Stove Project, Ships Wheel Project, NRG Capstan Project, Billings Half Moon, Dumas Chris Craft 1938 27' Triple Cockpit Barrel Back, Panart Santa Lucia , Model Shipways Constitution , MS Bounty Launch , HMS Beagle Member: Nautical Research Guild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jud Posted April 2, 2014 Share #3 Posted April 2, 2014 Have one about 8" long that I bought years ago and occasionally use it when laying out cut lines on steel for uneven cut and fit lines when fabricating something, works good for that but the pins on the one I have may be a little stiff to use on a model. jud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HIPEXEC Posted April 2, 2014 Share #4 Posted April 2, 2014 I made a "jig" with plastic coated nails that conformed with my hull shape. It worked pretty well. I fine tuned the bends by wet clamping the planks to the exact spot on the hull that they went. I'd like to see a picture of yours, though. Rich Quote Rich Rich USS Constitution by hipexec (Finished build) Virginia Pilot Boat 1805 (gallery - first build) USS Syren (USS Argus) by Hipexec Joshua Slocum's Spray by HIPEXEC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Al Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted April 2, 2014 As regards the stiff pins....mine is brand new, never used. So I am hoping the pins will loosen up somewhat. I used some metal lube on it and that worked to loosen them but not enough to make the tool really easy to use. I have to run right now and my wife has the camera. I'll put up the pics later today. My plank bending jig is still all in my mind. When I do it I will post a picture. Whether I use the tool or some other method of transferring the curve shape, I can't think of a better way to do a jig than the dowels or nails in a homemade pegboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverRat Posted April 2, 2014 Share #6 Posted April 2, 2014 I got one too to shape a cradle. It's also good to check for symmetry between the port and starboard shapes. Quote "Give you joy!" Current Build: RATTLESNAKE 1:64 POB (Mamoli) Kits on hand: "Lexington", Mamoli: "Robert E. Lee", Scientific Scratch to do: "Fannie Dugan", 1870s Sidewheeler Steamboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Al Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted April 2, 2014 Never thought of that, but yeah that works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Al Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted April 3, 2014 After I posted this pic I knew someone would comment. It looks a lot worse than it really is. What looks like blood is only nail polish...I was looking for a color to "paint" some buckets on Bounty and I thought nail polish would adhere to the slick surface. I looked in my wife's cabinet and found 20 colors. I wanted to test this one but had nothing to test it on (she would not have appreciated me using the countertop for this) so I used my finger nail. As for the scar down the center of the thumb. That came from a dog bite 50 years ago. Never does grow in normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Al Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted April 3, 2014 You got me. I didn't want to seem too macho so I made up both stories. I actually banged it up bad when I was trying to save a woman's life as a car she was changing a tire on slipped off the jack and pinned her down. I came along and being the he-man I am, I lifted the car up from the bare wheel hub. Just when she wiggled free I lost it and the car fell on my thumb. So now you all know the truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old salt Posted April 6, 2014 Share #10 Posted April 6, 2014 Captain Al, That has got to be the truth. NO ONE could make up a tale like that and tell it with a straight face. Ted Quote Thanks Ted Calm Seas and Fair Winds On the ways: HMS Bounty - Artesania Latina Launched: Scottish Maid - Artesania Latina On the Shelf: Minature lifeboat - Model Shipways Bounty Launch - Model Shipways Emma C.Berry - Model Shipways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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