Making a curved pattern?...Here's the tool

[Frank]

 This may have been mentioned before and I missed it but if not, I bought this today at Harbour Frieght Tools for $15. Anyone who's worked on a boat can see how easy this will make some tasks.Wish I'd had it years ago. I love anything simple that works....cheap is good too 

[Auspicious]

In drafting or mechanical drawing that's called a spline. Useful tool. The ones for drawing don't hold their shape. That one looks great for taking shapes off existing parts and replicating them.

[Oldrig]

Sure looks like it would be a lot easier to do than "spiling" a curve with a woodworker's compass. I've seen experienced boatbuilders do it like second nature, but when I tried it, I got it all wrong.

--Joe

[newt]

Haiden- i can't quite visualize what you are doing. Lets say you have a compound curve inside the boat and you want to make a watertank to fit. How do you get the curve (when all you have is the inside of the boat curve)

[newt]

Thanks for the pic, I am kinda understanding now. Do you just have a collection of pieces that you reuse? Hot glue sounds like the way to go.

[Captain Smollett]

I've used a 'notch stick' with success...simple and pretty quick.

[Captain Smollett]

I'm not familiar with this "notch stick" Capn' Smollete care to elaborate?

Hmmm.  I thought there was another name for it, but could not remember.  It's also called a Joggle Stick

Simple to make from a piece of scrap, and cardboard or posterboard works okay for the pattern board.  They don't have to be as elaborate as the ones shown on the page linked.

[AdriftAtSea]

Also called a tick stick IIRC.  Believe that's what Don Casey calls it in one of his books.

I'm not familiar with this "notch stick" Capn' Smollete care to elaborate?

Hmmm.  I thought there was another name for it, but could not remember.  It's also called a Joggle Stick

Simple to make from a piece of scrap, and cardboard or posterboard works okay for the pattern board.  They don't have to be as elaborate as the ones shown on the page linked.