How do i match a radius?

Full disclosure, I bought one of those flexible curve rulers 5 or 6 years ago and it worked fine for the project I bought it for. Haven't seen it since, but I know it's out there somewhere.

Simply scribe the line on a piece of cardboard with a pencil compass.
Attachment 405653

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lee Schierer

Simply scribe the line on a piece of cardboard with a pencil compass.
Attachment 405653

---

The only problem to remember with this method is you must keep the compass perpendicular to the surface being traced at all times as you trace it to get an accurate representation. Other than that, it is a great way to trace a surface to make a template.

thanks for the pic! Great idea

Scribe it with a compass?

Doh -- Lee beat me to it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ken Fitzgerald

The only problem to remember with this method is you must keep the compass perpendicular to the surface being traced at all times as you trace it to get an accurate representation. Other than that, it is a great way to trace a surface to make a template.

---

There is an even bigger problem with this method; no new tools are involved. everyone knows that half the fun of woodworking is in acquiring new tools. :D

Can I get an amen?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marshall Harrison

There is an even bigger problem with this method; no new tools are involved. everyone knows that half the fun of woodworking is in acquiring new tools. :D

Can I get an amen?

---

I apologize for my mistake!:o

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marshall Harrison

There is an even bigger problem with this method; no new tools are involved. everyone knows that half the fun of woodworking is in acquiring new tools. :D

Can I get an amen?

---

He might not own a pencil equipped compass. :D

As it has been said before....45 degree cut - done! Not good enuff? OK... Find come soup, coffee, paint or whatever can that might come close to the radius on the truck bed to trace a radius. But really...... how far is the edge of vertical 2x4 from the side of the box bed in the picture you provided? That distance would be about the radius!

Look around the house for anything circular: plates, saucers, pan lids, coffee can lids, jar lids....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Steve Eure

You can get a flexible curve ruler like the one Nick posted at Michael's and Hobby Lobby for about the same price. Beats waiting for shipping if you have one of them close by. I've actually used a piece of #10 copper wire to replicate a curve once or twice. Not the best tool for the job, but was what I had on hand and it did the job.

---

OR a metal coat hanger bent to shape. I bet there's one in your house waiting for you.

Cut a 45* and then cut those 2 points again. You'll be getting pretty close - nothing a disc sander couldn't fix...

Elementary.

Use a pencil compass to scribe the curve onto a scrap of cardboard, which you can then cutout with scissors to check and refine the fit before transferring it to the workpiece.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by David Kreuzberg

, jar lids....

---

^^^^This^^^^

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by David Kreuzberg

Look around the house for anything circular: plates, saucers, pan lids, coffee can lids, jar lids....

---

That'd be my solution.

Scribing it in would be my second choice