Tracing Shapes, Contours
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=81212
Printed Date: April 30, 2024 at 5:54 AM
Topic: Tracing Shapes, Contours
Posted By: SPLORK2000
Subject: Tracing Shapes, Contours
Date Posted: August 04, 2006 at 6:54 PM
Hi all, I've been lurking here for a while and have found this to be an excellent resource and a great place for learning. Anyway, I have a what is probably an obvoius newb question. I have a 1999 Honda Civic coupe. I want to put an MDF floor in the trunk. My question is what is the best/easiest way to accurately trace the contours of my trunk, e.g around the shock towers etc, so I can transfer the shape to MDF. Thanks.
Replies:
Posted By: sks30cal
Date Posted: August 04, 2006 at 8:46 PM
i have a 200 4 door i did the same thing what i did was cut out the carpet and traced it on to the mdf the only problem is the mdf will not fit in the trunk opening so what i did was use 3 pices of mdf one large center pice ans 2 small pices on the sides ------------- pimpin is pimpin
Posted By: blackers10
Date Posted: August 04, 2006 at 9:57 PM
use newspaper or any LARGE AS paper you can find and just trace around the edges and cut off the bit you dont need.. if you screw a bit up just stickytape a new piece of newspaper and retry that section
Posted By: sawhit4
Date Posted: August 04, 2006 at 10:44 PM
yeah i used cardboard. I just eyeballed the first few cuts to get the basic shape, then put it in the car and tested it, then took it out and trimed it where it needed it. I ended up takin off too much and just taped on more where i screwed up. Make sure you fit it good. You want your template to be as pefect as you can get it.
Posted By: HamiltonAudio
Date Posted: August 05, 2006 at 2:30 PM
you can also use carpenters contours. rubber coated spring steel that smoothly/accurately bends with contours and holds its shape fabulously. they come in many lengths - I use a 36" unit that almost guaranteed lets me match the contour of one side of the trunk at a time. Basically trace one side of the trunk with the contour and transfer it over. measure across the back of the trunk and transfer that line, then trace the other side joining the two at the top. then trace the front of the trunk if necessary.... with some practice it works pretty good ;-) bmoney
Posted By: blackers10
Date Posted: August 05, 2006 at 6:47 PM
forgot all about those hamiltonaudio i had one at school!! wonder where it has dissapeard to!
Posted By: Melted Fabric
Date Posted: August 07, 2006 at 3:37 PM
Yea, I find cardboard being the easiest to work with. Semi hard foam is you have access to it or it laying around.
-------------
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best -- that is inspiration.
Posted By: snyderman5
Date Posted: August 14, 2006 at 10:14 PM
where did you find that 36" model all I can find is the 12"
Posted By: king88mob
Date Posted: September 21, 2006 at 9:31 PM
sorry to necropost, but here's exactly what you're looking for
https://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=3&p=32536&cat=1,42936,42958
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: September 22, 2006 at 12:29 PM
Also this is smaller but they make a contour tool that is about 6" long. It has little small pins in it and you press it up against your shape and it makes the exact curve. They come out the back side in the opposite shape so you can easily trace it onto paper or mdf w/e. heres the link https://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=13641&stc=1 ------------- Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: punkbastard
Date Posted: September 25, 2006 at 11:00 PM
dont know if this post is long since dead, but here is a page all about copying curves. Specifically for the op's purpose is the profile transfer wheel. I typically use it for overheads and trunk walls. https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/smartparts/measure_copy_position.htm#profile
Posted By: 1qwkfox
Date Posted: September 26, 2006 at 12:42 PM
I would just use cardboard if you take your time you will get the shape that yourlooking for its pretty simple and cheap/free . and you can always add or take away from cardboard untill you get the exact fit you want .
Ed
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