A simple tool for making engine turned surfaces.

[Scott Colmer]

I am finishing up a plane project and decided I wanted an engine turned dash. After a little bit of experimenting and a trip to Youtube I came up with a simple tool that can be used to make a very nice engine turned surface. The samples here are part of the learning curve as I figured this out.

The material is aluminum tape.

The circles are made with a rod with cloth backed 1800 grit superglued to the end. The rod is twirled in the guide (tube) at the end of the arm on the platform.

The trick is keeping it all straight. That requires marking and measurement. The lines on the tool platform are drawn on frisket so I can change them if I need. They guide the rows.

The lines scribed into the tape (See un-cut sample in the pic.) are for the spacing of the circles in each row. The pin in the guide tube is to line up to the scribed lines on the tape.

You go one row at a time then drop down to the next line on the frisket and do the next row.

On every other row, you go in between the scribed lines.

I can provide more detail is someone is interested.

Scott

Hosted on Fotki

Edited November 8, 2009 by Scott Colmer

[Pete J.]

I am finishing up a plane project and decided I wanted an engine turned dash. After a little bit of experimenting and a trip to Youtube I came up with a simple tool that can be used to make a very nice engine turned surface. The samples here are part of the learning curve as I figured this out.

The material is aluminum tape.

The circles are made with a rod with cloth backed 1800 grit superglued to the end. The rod is twirled in the guide (tube) at the end of the arm on the platform.

The trick is keeping it all straight. That requires marking and measurement. The lines on the tool platform are drawn on frisket so I can change them if I need. They guide the rows.

The lines scribed into the tape (See un-cut sample in the pic.) are for the spacing of the circles in each row. The pin in the guide tube is to line up to the scribed lines on the tape.

You go one row at a time then drop down to the next line on the frisket and do the next row.

On every other row, you go in between the scribed lines.

I can provide more detail is someone is interested.

Scott

Hosted on Fotki

WOW! Nice tool, nice result

[Jantrix]

[randx0]

By all means show some more pics I love this tip !

[Fuel Coupe]

Scott, You are my hero. I have been wanting to do some engine turned stuff for a while but could'nt figure out how to go about it. THANKS!!!!!

[Scott Colmer]

Glad you guys could use it.

I will put together a full tutorial this weekend.

Scott

[Jim Keeler model cars]

I am finishing up a plane project and decided I wanted an engine turned dash. After a little bit of experimenting and a trip to Youtube I came up with a simple tool that can be used to make a very nice engine turned surface. The samples here are part of the learning curve as I figured this out.

The material is aluminum tape.

The circles are made with a rod with cloth backed 1800 grit superglued to the end. The rod is twirled in the guide (tube) at the end of the arm on the platform.

The trick is keeping it all straight. That requires marking and measurement. The lines on the tool platform are drawn on frisket so I can change them if I need. They guide the rows.

The lines scribed into the tape (See un-cut sample in the pic.) are for the spacing of the circles in each row. The pin in the guide tube is to line up to the scribed lines on the tape.

You go one row at a time then drop down to the next line on the frisket and do the next row.

On every other row, you go in between the scribed lines.

I can provide more detail is someone is interested.

Scott

Hosted on Fotki

[Jim Keeler model cars]

Hi,

I have used a pencil eraser to do the same thing on aluminum foil or K7S metal. The pencil eraser works well and is more "in scale".

Jim Keeler