Noob from Cali, need help with Radius

[emt2976]

Hello All!

The name's Chris, I hail from the dusty, dirty, hot mess we call the Inland Empire. I recently purchased an old tent trailer and have since been making plans to build a standy-type raindrop trailer. My question to the sage woodsmen(woodspeople) is how do I layout the radius front? I attached a video from youtube if this helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0P9mp6FhBI

[bobhenry]

Looking at the rain drop it appears it is a blended curve using two differemt radii.

So.......

I grabbed my trusty compass and scale and a scrap of paper..

I drew a 6x10 rectangle and ran a centerline long length at 3 foot

go back 3'4" and strike a radius then locate a point about 2' 9 1/2" from the front and 2' 7" from each of the sides then strike a 2' 7" radius you may need to adjust this a bit so it will blend smoothly with the larger arc.

Look at it and see if you like it.

To build it stud this curved front wall vertically. I would go 8" or 12 " on center to allow you to form the curved front from thin flat stock and keep it smooth.

Make the same exact curve profile for your roof.

When laying out a curve for on centers I have found that a cloth tape like you use for sewing is a great way to measure these points. The cloth tape lays flat and doesn't kink like a steel tape will. If you find you need a 3rd hand just put a push pin in the start end to keep it in place. You may want to start at each edge and work to the center of the nose where the odd space will be less problamatic.

[emt2976]

Your setup sounds solid, I can't wait to start setting it up today! I searched and searched the forums, maybe this should be tacked to the Alphabetical Index Thread unless I overlooked it Thank you for the helpful information, will be posting some pics of the progress thus far.

[bc toys]

can't help with lay out but would like to welcome you to this great site

[eamarquardt]

I'm in the process of lofting my design. A compass isn't one of my instruments. I went to a pipe supply and bought a 20 foot length of 1/2" 200 psi pvc pipe (the local big box stores don't carry it that long). I put up a sheet of plywood and have been lofting my profile, bulkheads, galley, storage compartment door, etc.

I hold it in place with conduit clamps and tweak the curves holding them in place with screws on one side or the other until I get the shape I want. Once it's there I put more conduit clamps on to ensure that it's fixed in place. Once I finish I'll scribe it, cut it, smooth it up with a belt sander, and then use it as a template to route the sides of the cabin.

Why limit yourself to fixed radii. Fixed radii rarely occur in "nature" and curves that are constantly changing are, IMHO, more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

I'm just about finished tweaking my design:



Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[emt2976]

So nice to see everyone providing ideas and examples. This is going to be great!!! Another quandry I have is the window installation process, do I install before any exterior treatment (skin) or do I install over the treatment and seal to the skin?

[Roly Nelson]

Welcome to the forum, and by the way, the Inland Empire isn't that bad. I live in Wildomar, and we probably share the same temps, if not the blowing dust. I love it here. If you want to come on down for a visit, I would be happy to share some build info if you are interested. A look see is worth a thousand words. I have 3 of em so far, and the 4th is on the drawing board. Swing on by, the coffee is always on.
Roly the So Calif woody guy.

[Desert-rat]

You're not alone, I'm in the IE as well... or so they keep telling me I am via Craigslist