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Thanks Bobby, much easier then this. http://www.finewoodworking.com/Workshop/WorkshopArticle.aspx?id=25994
This is the method that Gregory Paolini used to make his Limber coffee table on the cover of Fine WW. He also taught it in his class last weekend. One tip I would provide is to actually tie the string into a loop around the two pins, this makes it much easier to draw the elipse
If using the nail & string method, remember to get a string that won't stretch. It will distort the oval. Better to use piano wire or gift wrap ribbon if you have it.
Also, you asked for 2 different things, an oval and an ellipse. Ellipses are egg shaped & not quadrilaterally symmetrical like ovals.
Also, you asked for 2 different things, an oval and an ellipse. Ellipses are egg shaped & not quadrilaterally symmetrical like ovals.
Make one of these. I use a longer or shorter arm depending on the size needed...
Just realized the end holding the pencil is not in this pic. Just a hole large enough for a round-bodied pencil jammed in. Small piece of dbl sided tape holds it.
Just realized the end holding the pencil is not in this pic. Just a hole large enough for a round-bodied pencil jammed in. Small piece of dbl sided tape holds it.
From past experience, I have found it easiest to draw 1/4 of one out on a thin template, and flip it over a few times tracing it than to draw a complete one (or draw the 1/4 on a piece of thick paper folded into quarters to make a pattern). Takes out a lot of the string stretch and pencil leaning variables.
If making a few, then Joe's jig is the way to go.
Go
If making a few, then Joe's jig is the way to go.
Go
Interesting jig, Joe. How do you determine or set it up for a specific sized oval?
Dennis, I hold the base with one hand and swing the arm around, noting where it crosses the longest measurement. Drill the pencil hole, press in the pencil, hold or tape down the base, and mark the oval.
This jig makes an oval; not an ellipse. But that's never been critical for me.
When not in use, the jig is a fun mind waster. Mount a short arm and start cranking it around while you try to remember what you were supposed to do next!:sad11:
This jig makes an oval; not an ellipse. But that's never been critical for me.
When not in use, the jig is a fun mind waster. Mount a short arm and start cranking it around while you try to remember what you were supposed to do next!:sad11:
I think you have it backwards:
"An ellipse is a smooth closed curve which is symmetric about its horizontal and vertical axes. The distance between antipodal points on the ellipse, or pairs of points whose midpoint is at the center of the ellipse, is maximum along the major axis or transverse diameter, and a minimum along the perpendicular minor axis or conjugate diameter. (from Mechanics' and Engineers' Pocket Book of Tables, Rules, and Formulas)
An oval is a generic term for a roundish shape like an egg. All ellipses are oval, but not all ovals are ellipses.
I use a drawing program (Microsoft Visio). Print it out, tape the pages together (if necessary), then use spray adhesive to stick it to the wood. Cut on the line. Doesn't get much easier, IMO.
If you have the height and width you need, I can send you a .pdf file. I always include registration marks for aligning multi-page printouts and to verify the scale.
If you have the height and width you need, I can send you a .pdf file. I always include registration marks for aligning multi-page printouts and to verify the scale.
I thought maybe you had a set process to locate the pivot points for a particular oval. Ovals are described by their major & minor radii (i.e. 20 x 10, 10 x 15, etc.). These numbers work to get the 'string' method or any other mathematical solution. I just thought you may have a similar method used with the jig to set it up.
I made the same jig Joe made for an oval table I made. The advantage of this approach was that I could make a jig that fit on my router and use it to cut out the table top. And I will have this jig for future use. It is really easy to make from some scrap plywood - I made it in ~15 minutes.
I tried the string approach at first but it was a big table this method got really cumbersome. I would go back over my original line and be off by too much.
Good luck.
I tried the string approach at first but it was a big table this method got really cumbersome. I would go back over my original line and be off by too much.
Good luck.
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