Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Can anybody help me figure out how to loft the curves from this picture to plywood (for wall construction)? What does everyone consider to be the easiest method?


Thanks.
-Joe[/img]

Nice profile...the only suggestion I can offer is to lay out some reference lines on the ply and measure accordingly. When lofting a design, I always take a thin strip of "bend-able" material to check the curves and assure that the transitions are fair.

Thanks for the response. I guess that is the only way to do it.
-Joe

I use a pole compass and a string compass on a large full size sheet of oaktag, then use this as a template, after I lay the work out on wood, I clean up the curves with the compasses. Good luck
Rick

If you can get hold of an overhead projector, print out the image and project it right on to your plywood and trace ... ...
... "oblique"projectors can use the printed image, the other kind requires that you have it copied onto a transparancy sheet (wich any copy shop can do for less than a buck) ...
This works especially well when your drafting doesn't match your sketches ... ... ...

Good Luck, and ...

CHEERS!

Grant

... "oblique"projectors can use the printed image, the other kind requires that you have it copied onto a transparancy sheet (wich any copy shop can do for less than a buck) ...
Grant[/quote]
Plain paper drawings treated with vegatable oil can make a serviceable transparancy in a pinch.
Dave

Wow, Never would have thought to use a projector. Thanks all.

I don't have an overhead projector for transparencies. What I've done is take a picture with slide film with a 35mm camera and then projected the slide on the "template to be" and traced out the pattern. Worked well enough to turn some legs for a cannon ball bed.

Another thought is to take measurements in a grid pattern, enlarge the unit of the grid as required, plot the dots of the pattern to be, and then connect the dots. I have done a loft of my side profile using plywood and schedule 125 1/2" pvc pipe held in place with conduit clamps. See album. It worked really nice.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

Thanks everyone. Now I have some ideas to work with.
-Joe

If you do not have an overhead project...No problem

Take your transparency and tape it to a piece of cardboard or wooden frame.

If you shine the light from behind onto your plywood your image will be there.

eamarquardt wrote:I don't have an overhead projector for transparencies. What I've done is take a picture with slide film with a 35mm camera and then projected the slide on the "template to be" and traced out the pattern. Worked well enough to turn some legs for a cannon ball bed.

Depending on what you made your drawing with, you could probably get it into a JPG format and have it made directly into a slide at Ritz or maybe even Costco. And you can rent a slide projector, or probably find one at a yard sale for under $10

- Cliff

Joe,

21st century response: Computer Projector. With one of those babies you can take the laptop to the garage and shoot pictures teardrops onto your sheet of plywood all day long. I want one!