This thread was previously so I could find info on how to build a rocker measure stick.
Had such a good response and many readers posted pictures and other info that was exactly what I needed.
Read on to see what people posted.
Or , upload your picture.
I have just made all the parts for my rocker stick using many of the examples mentioned in this thread.
Once it is completed I will update this wtih a picture.
Thank you all so much for your help and great feedback.
Hi Hardline,
It’s not rocket surgery to measure when you stick to a few constants to make the measurement replicable and consistent over different designs.
The piccy below proposes using the centre of the board as the main reference point, 2 other points equidistant either side of centre (not too far away, just enough for packers to stop the straight edge rocking) and take your measurements at equal distances each way.
hope this helps.
Mick.
Thanks Mick but I am after a design for the type with moving dowels so I can preset them and foil the bottom (or deck) to a design shape.
I make lots of replica’s so a rocker stick with adjustment dowels will allow me to fit the stick to the existing and lay it on the blank so I know how much I need to work the blank.
I appreciate your comments and I have been doing it the way you show way for a long time. I just want to take it to the next stage.
Thanks.
No prob’s Hardline, I see what you’re after now. For other watching though the above set out can be used with such a tool as you describe.
Cheers.
Mick.
The Florida version was good. The magnetic one with aluminum. What exactly do you need from your rocker stick? If you’re going to copy one board or many your requirements could change. The search function here at the site is your friend too. Lots of guys losing their rocker talking about and measuring rockers. Some good tips and info too. The one thread went to almost 30 pages I think.
Anyway, try a bicycle flag pole, those orange ones people shy away from like the plague or a fishing pole. Or you could just go laser.
Edit, you posted when I posted.
If you want to make one, it isn’t difficult. A straight piece of wood, drill some holes for dowels, lock dowels in position with wing bolts or similar.
Thanks Davo.
I have read through a few threads and could not find any rocker quage designs.
I have found some pictures on google search which show what I want but not a good enough pic to see how they built it.
Still , I should keep looking just in case the one post has what I need.
Cheers .
Which one caught your fancy, post the pic if possible. I’ve made quite a few accessory tools in the last couple years. One of the most interesting was the contour gauge. Anyway, kinda like thinking about these kinds of things.
I’ve never seen this pic before today but have made made length wise versions. If you use smaller and rounded ends on your rods or individual pieces you can get very good outlines in one shot.
Here is this tool’s inventor’s site http://www.outdoorplace.org/paddling/lines/lines.htm as I said, I’ve never seen it before today.
This is the type of thing I am after.
I think I will use wedge shape dowels rather than bolts like this photo.
A side hole offset 3/4 from the vertical hole should allow a wedge shape dowel to be pushed in to lock it in place.
Also , not sure if I want the bottom flat onto the board. I think I can just use the dowels.
I have a small version of this I use for rails and deck roll.
Fitter/machinists use a high accuracy version on lathes to copy profiles.
I am a carpenter so I have one accurate enough for wood and it works a treat for rails, deck roll and concaves.
this is exactly what I have (minus the chair leg.)
But , this idea for a full length would be good , I may need a hoist to get it above the blank.
Thanks Davo.
Just stick it on a rack above your head and out of the way, I used a four sided post and just rotated the thing one side to lift or drop the dowels.
Hardline I was going to try find a pic posted a week or so ago of a very similar rocker jig but you found one . Surely it would be better with the flat plate on the bottom .
It would make it a lot easyer to trace the rocker onto hardboard for a template?
I think you’re right Tom , it would make it better for side template’s as well.
It’s been added to my plan.
Got to get some gear and make it happen this weekend , or at least start it.
Thanks for your advice.
theres a member on this site named Barry Snyder that sells a similiar version. Its called the punk rock stick, you can find it in the tools for sale section. Try this link http://www.swaylocks.com/surfshop/Detailed/8387.html . I’ve been meaning to get one to make rocker templates too.
I have a friend who went crazy over rocker and bought an expensive adjustable rocker stick. His only problem is he barely knows how to use a planer. Planing rocker is not that easy. Keep that in mind.
I made this about 12 years ago.
It’s hollow 1" x 1 " aluminum box tube which was checked for straightness.
I drilled holes for the adjustable 1/4" wood doweling rods at 1" intervals using a drill press for accuracy.
I then drilled small perpendicular holes in one side of the square tube and tapped out the holes to accept the #10-32 thumb screws used to lock the dowels in place.
Works great for template making , rocker table construction, trying new rockers or recording measurements from existing boards.
I’ve dubbed it my "Rocker Locker "
VH.
Hey VH.
That looks like what I want. Thanks for the pictures.
Some other posts have some good stuff as well.
Last night I found another thread with stuff like this as .
Swaylocks is such a wealth of info and the people are happy to share it.
I am having a go at making it this weekend , I got materials last night.
I have shaped boards for almost 20 years and never bothered with this type of measuring device. Always custom shapes but I am stepping it up a bit and doing copies so it could come in handy for initial rocker measure and transfer to the new blank.
Maybe even a rocker table for my router.
I have no doubt that swaylocks has a thread on that as well.
Thanks so much for your info.
Hi dtd.
Thats one fancy rocker stick.
I have some of this stuff from my window fixing days. I may be able to use some of this in my design.
So many options.
Thanks for the link.
Quick and simple version.
Acquire a nice straight stick to suit your length.
Drill holes every 6" to accept T-nuts.
Install T- nuts.
Screw in lengths of all thread into T-nuts.
Adjust to fit desired rocker.
Should take about half an hour to build.
Quick and simple version.
Acquire a nice straight stick to suit your length.
Drill holes every 6" to accept T-nuts.
Install T- nuts.
Screw in lengths of all thread into T-nuts.
Adjust to fit desired rocker.
Should take about half an hour to build.
