[TheForge] RE: Layout tools

[Ralph Sproul]

Hi Chuck, I've found the sketches I do by hand and then project are all
different in size (but I have become smart enough to scale them somewhat for
proportioning).

The space I need can be from 8 feet for a sign or bracket, all the way out
to 20-25 feet for a floral arch/castle hinges/railing section, etc to full
scale from a drawn picture or small scale drawing.

the rafter mounted idea is something I don't think would work for me, as I
need more room than from collar ties to floor or table usually.  I could see
a use for this if you were making grilles all the time and wanted to shoot
the scrolls and elements into the frame size.  The projector I have takes
the paper in the back and you have to adjust it to level or fit a
framework........so using it from above would have it's own set of things to
deal with for loading a drawing, adjusting, etc.......unless it slide up and
down and you had a fixed drawing holder and could rotate the projector.

I store my projector in the office upstairs, then go get it to put it on a
small table with casters to fit the sketch to the proportioned panel be it
posterboard, luan, or sheet metal that I'm going for.

Bob Bordeaux found a projector for me on E-bay and I bid and got it.  It was
an old military bombing projector made by Besler.........it is awesome.  It
is so bright and the mirrors are such good quality you can use it during
daylight hours by turning off the lights in the shop.

I usually shoot the sketch to a piece of Luan plywood or if there is a bunch
of hot bending to do, I'll shoot onto a piece of sheet metal - to cut out my
parts with a plasma cutter to make them, then use a plywood pattern for
location, fastening, and full layout prior to assmembly.

Shooting things onto posterboard works really well to, as you end up with
the cardboard pattern, then the ability to make sheet metal go/no go guages,
and you can fold and store the posterboard patterns for use later if it's
something you want to duplicate later on.

I'm kinda cheap, so I often use a piece of plywood for a pattern, then sand
off the pencil marks if I dont' want to keep it after the job is done.  It
allows me to use the plywood over and over again with the use of a palm
sander.  For good long lasting patterns to stay on the plywood, I use a
sharpie and store them away.  This would be for something like a nice rail
pattern you want to do over, or a garden gate that people like.

Ralph

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Robinson" <robi5515 at bellsouth.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2005 7:23 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] RE: Layout tools


> Hey Ralph,
> I used to use a big floor model opaque projector at NAVOCEANO until they
got
> rid of it.
> I bought a cheap one for my own use but it isn't very bright.
> I think the final link after using your graphics tablet to input your
> drawings, is to use a computer projector to scale up your drawings to full
> size.
>  I have visions of the projector mounted in the shop rafters projecting
the
> drawing down on to the work table a la Francis Whitaker.
> Chuck
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
>
>