In the June addition of Popular Woodworking there was an illuminating article on an old layout tool called a "Sector". This is one of those old implements that does the job of a (calculator + ruler) in about 1/10 the time, but requires some level of understanding. Because of the understanding piece, and the fact that they need to be made out of light, stiff, cheap materials (aka wood) with a high degree of precision, nobody uses them anymore. They are rare as hen's teeth on the used market, and expensive.
So, I want to make one. There is one skill in the process that I don't have, and that I can't find anywhere in my books. That is the skill of 'ruler making'. I need a book that address a few fundamental issues. For example, what is the right technique and what are the right tools for making every mark with exactly the same spacing? What is the right tool and technique for actually making the mark? Sectors for my use need to be 24" to 36" long. What are the right tools and techniques for graving a perfectly straight, 36" long line from the centerpoint of a hinge to the end of the arm to which that hinge is attached?
Note that I have a small lathe, but not a mill. I'm not sure that generalist machine tools are even the right tools for a one off project like this. Sectors were common at least as early as the 15'th century, so I know machine tools are not even close to necessary.
Do you all know of any books that could guide me through this?
So, I want to make one. There is one skill in the process that I don't have, and that I can't find anywhere in my books. That is the skill of 'ruler making'. I need a book that address a few fundamental issues. For example, what is the right technique and what are the right tools for making every mark with exactly the same spacing? What is the right tool and technique for actually making the mark? Sectors for my use need to be 24" to 36" long. What are the right tools and techniques for graving a perfectly straight, 36" long line from the centerpoint of a hinge to the end of the arm to which that hinge is attached?
Note that I have a small lathe, but not a mill. I'm not sure that generalist machine tools are even the right tools for a one off project like this. Sectors were common at least as early as the 15'th century, so I know machine tools are not even close to necessary.
Do you all know of any books that could guide me through this?
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