flexible curves

[PLwood]

Has anyone ever used the flexible curves? I want to do a couple projects that have a lot of curves. I have looked at Woodcraft's flexible curves (website below)

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=425

as well as Tru-Flex. Do you have a preference for brand, size, any information on your experiences would be helpful.
Thanks!

[Sonny Edmonds]

Those are real nice...

But I like these kinds of flexable curves better.... http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/1/1_4_83.gif

Now... what were we talking about? Hummm.... http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_15.gif

:D

[link:home.earthlink.net/~pie/data/index.html|Sonny Edmonds ]
Saugus, CA
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
God Bless America !
In God We Trust !
"Lurkimus turdius orifus"


Welcome to the Forum!
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_4_132.gif

[TDHofstetter]

Got a plumbing supply place near you? How about a Home Depot? They sell rolls of good heavy solder for really really cheap. It can be shaped any ol' dang way ya want it, and the really heavy stuff holds its shape well after it's been formed.

-- Tim --

[Sawduster]

Back in the really olden days of drafting with a pencil on a drafting board/table, I got one of those that was about 12" long to use in drafting. Neatest thing since sliced bread as far as I was concerned. Still got it around somewhere I think.

[cabinetman]

Besides the movable form you can pick up a set of plastic drafting templates called "French Curves", that you can pick areas out and make just about any curved line. There are many designs.
.
http://www.foamboards.us/images/FC44.jpg

[WoodMangler]

I've had a set of those for a long time... got plenty of use too... pretty handy for laying out stuff...

[Postman]

I have a set of the drafting templates but an easy way for me to create curves is to cut a 1/8" strip of hardwood from a 3/4" board and bend it however I want on some MDF and then draw the curve. I rough cut the curve on a bandsaw and then fair the curve. After than I can use it as a template for my router to form the curve on hardwood. You can cut the strip to whatever length you want depending on how long of a board you have.

[Jim in PA]

If I recall, David Marks has the stick taped to bricks so it stays put when he traces. Looks like it would work better than this twangy solution, but who knows:

http://www.woodmagazine.com/wood/story.jsp?storyid=/templatedata/wood/story/data/511.xml

Jim Brown
Bloomsburg, PA

[Postman]

I use brads to hold the stick in place. Since I am making the curves on MDF I don't care about the nail holes.

[dcarter636]

Those work for odd or kinky/jerky convolutions but the repeatability is not so good; they tend to change shape as you move them from one work piece to another.
I prefer French curves, ship curve templates, or a piece of .070"-.090" piano wire sprung between three to five nails.

[arcticfox46]

Yes, I have used one of those.

It was when I was taking the Half Hull modeling class a few years ago.

Handy little thingy. Easier than the fixed french curves to use.

Generally when I want a curve I will do it in CAD and print it out. Then I tape it together, then trace it on the wood.

I have also used a thin wood and tacks. I also have used cans and bottles

All these things work well.

The flexible curve works well too and is a handy little gadget, however it will not get used very often, unless you do a lot of curves.

For the price plus shipping - its not gonna break the bank.

[cavey35]

Those flexible curves are a bit to flexible for me. I prefer to make a template out of poster paper and carefully trace it to the work piece.


Jeff