Thread: Sweep gauges
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Old 04-18-2017, 07:39 PM
cliffrod cliffrod is offline
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Not sure that a ring roller (for tubing, correct?) would be the best choice. Your patterns should be flat metal so you can best see that the accurate register of the pattern against the model/job.

Many here will probably say they prefer to buy a set produced by someone else- plasma/CNC/whatever. To date, the only patterns- radius and otherwise- I own and use here that were not made by me are a few antique ones from old studios. Making radius gauges by laying out the radius and cutting as needed may be too tedious for some but it is excellent exercise to make measurably accurate parts on purpose.

Make them out of sturdy sheet of your choice- steel, alloy, plastic, etc. The plastic from milk jugs or antifreeze jugs is the standing favorite for a quick, small one-off pattern. If used more than a little, these plastic patterns get reproduced into more durable material.

Such patterns existed looong before anyone knew anything about CNC or plasma cutting or such things..
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