I am about to copy a Doug Haut Hybrid in EPS and epoxy and I need some direction for the rails - What type of rails are they? As in what category - modern, soft etc. I am going to use Greenlight’s rail dimensions to help get me started shaping them - But I’m not really clear on the “style” of the rail.
Here’s the link to a photo while I try to figure out how to embed. Can I just hold a straight edge perpendicular to the rail and measure the arc as it goes towards the stringer in inch increments?
[img_assist|nid=1050361|title=Doug Haut Hybrid Rails|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]Whats the easiest way to measure existing rails?
Looks to me like a medium modern rail. Hard to tell from the pic. Can you template the rail on one that you can get your hands on? Keep in mind, those numbers just give you the rough-out shape of the general profile at the middle of the board. You have to fine tune and foil it from there.
OK Sweet - Medium Modern rail. That definitely helps me out. Here are some more pics if that helps too. I have the board to look at, but I am asking for a good starting point.
NJ - can you walk through how to template the rail shape? Would I measure in towards the stringer in increments like I was talking about before? Or is there an easier way? I will search the forum too - But that is always a crap shoot. The search function sucks.
Two shaper specific tools will help. One is a deck contour gauge. If you take a couple 2 foot strips of wood held together side-by-side with a few wingnuts, line the inside surfaces with neoprene from an old wetsuit and sandwich a bunch of dowels between the wood strips you'll have a decent way to check deck contour.
At Sacred Craft Wayne Rich used a similar tool that was simply a straight edge with a series of giant paper clips attached. The bottom of the clips were positioned to match the deck contour.
For closer to the rail apex, a different type of contour gauge might help. There are a couple of varieties available at the hardware store. I've seen them with wire feelers and plastic feelers. I find the plastic version more user friendly.
Again, Wayne Rich had a really nice home made version at Sacred Craft. For a basic 'one-off' measurement, you could make cardboard or foam templates to fit several positions along the rail line.
Exactly as the previous post: JohnMellor said. And those were some BIG A$% paper clips, that was new to me. I love to hear how the “early” guys would come up with hand made devices out of necessity. Most I’ve seen are still relevant. The plastic feeler contour gauges are WAY easier and more true. For the deck, I just use stiff paper (30# roofing paper) and a 99 cent compass and scribe. This can be transfered to hardboard at any time for the archives. The same for rails. The picture to me, looked like regular down rails with it getting harder towards the tail. No?
johnmellor - are you talking about putting a straight edge perp. to the stringer and then hanging paperclips off of it down to the deck? I am just trying to visualize here. It’s a good idea.
tblank - How are u using roofing felt for the deck contour and rails with a compass? I would love to see that! Are you talking about the marking outline of the board?
"are you talking about putting a straight edge perp. to the stringer and then hanging paperclips off of it down to the deck? I am just trying to visualize here. It's a good idea."
Yes. Will try to add pics of Wayne's (not mine) deck profiler. Also pic of my home made contour gauge with wide jaws and deep feelers - similar to the store bought version Sammy showed.
With those two types of tools, you should be able to get very close.
PS - Wayne had a very nice rail gauge but not sure if he wants it posted here so I won't.
Hey Stuck, When I have to I will take a deck contour off an existing board by holding the felt on top Just like pic of Wayne Rich. He uses paper clips (easier) I use a compass with a white pencil and merely scribe the arc onto the paper and cut it out. For rails I use the contour gauge exactly like the one in the photo from SammyA. These are ALWAYS transcribed onto a piece of hardboard and labeled and filed. If I’m matching something, I’ll do nose (1 ft. back) wide point and tail (1ft. up) for the rails. Good Luck.
Another way to profile rails is to spray adhesive on the rail, stick some sandpaper (grit side out) to them and sand the profiles in to a block of foam. I know a pro shaper who has just a few blocks with his desired rail shapes sanded in to them.
Sheesh - I totally missed the cleavage shot. Thanks Sammy!
See??? That is brilliant! Instant rail profile. I’m too hammed fisted to rely on the foam samples holding up. Got to have the hardboard. Nice job Mr. Mellor on the contour gauge. That is what I meant, necessity breeding progression. Now there are all commercial tools manufactured that are required for shaping. A trip to Foam EZ or the like and instant shaper?!? Maybe that can be a new thread…" Show your homemade tools". Or has that already been done?
I’ve heard (on Akushaper ) of some guys using a bar of solder to bend around the rail but never seen it done. I find the wire thing good for the nose and tail and the flexi good for the middle.
