Replies

1. 
   clinkard | Apr 30, 2009 05:33am | #1

   I think it was if you had a 16x24 space, then you cut a sheet of paper slightly smaller perhaps 12x20, and then using a series of pointed sticks, either taped or glued... or maybey just traced to the paper. Then you could take it apart and connect dots as you said and you have your shape.

2. 
   mathewson | Apr 30, 2009 05:35am | #2

   it is called spiing(sp). Take a piece of 1/4 mdf smaller than the opening into which you will fit the piece. Next take a stick, pointed at one end. Lay the stick on the mdf with the pointed end touching various points along the perimeter, at each point trace the other end onto the mdf. Remove the mdf and place on piece to be fitted. Place the stick on the traced outline and tick off the point on the finish material. Connect the dots and cut.

1. 
   AitchKay | Apr 30, 2009 03:31pm | #5

   Spiling. You can use any piece of scrap, but the way I first saw it done was using a mini (6x12) rafter square, and tracing the complete L-shape at every position it was placed at. That makes it obvious exactly where to place the square to duplicate the line.That's fine for 90% of your situations, like drywall or plaster walls, but it's not realistic for fieldstone on three sides. Then you just have to individually scribe three scrap (lauan is great) sticks, and glue them together with a brace piece.The gluing together part is important, because you want to test to make sure you'll be able to get in in and out.But first try spiling for most situations.AitchKay

1. 
   montanajp | Apr 30, 2009 03:40pm | #6

   Thanks all. With the descriptions and some fiddling I am on my way. I'll post some pics after the install.

3. 
   dovetail97128 | Apr 30, 2009 06:15am | #3

   I call it a a "Tic" stick"

   Any piece of scrap sheet material that you can lay in plane with the area you are scribing, and a 1/4" x 1 1/2" or so "pointer"

   Cut one end of the "pointer" at a 45 deg angle. Place the point of the pointer at any location you need to locate or mark and scribe a line down the side of the pointer on the scrap, make a registration mark on both the pointer and the sheet , number it.

   After you have all the marks you need made then transfer your scrap to the edge of the good material and using the pointer align it with the lines and numbered registrations, put a "dot" at the point of the pointer.

   Connect the "dots" , you have your shape.

   I use the trick quite often for window bays etc.

   I first saw it in FHB back in the early days of the mag, long before there was a forum. Maybe even before Piffin screws were invented.

   
   

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   Edited 4/29/2009 11:17 pm by dovetail97128

1. 
   Sphere | Apr 30, 2009 03:54pm | #7

   Andy Engle had a short article just a few yrs. ago. I believe he was fitting a window bench seat top in a bay bump out.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

   "If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"Jed Clampitt

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1. 
   dovetail97128 | Apr 30, 2009 04:00pm | #8

   Could be, but I know that I first saw the technique in the mag back in the late seventies or early eighties. I was all excited about how well it worked, showed it to a guy who informed me that boat builders have been using the technique for centuries... popped my balloon big time!
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

4. 
   jimAKAblue | Apr 30, 2009 08:08am | #4

   I remember a visual about the tic sticks but I've never used them. It did look like a great idea though. Someone will come by and post the pics.

5. 
   Boats234 | Apr 30, 2009 04:19pm | #9

   Sometimes a picture's worth a 1000 words

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Apr 30, 2009 04:40pm | #10

   That's the item. You Da Man!!!
   They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.