Author Topic: Whats a french curve?  (Read 3966 times)

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Offline Youngboyer2(billyf)

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Whats a french curve?
« on: May 03, 2012, 02:21:33 am »
Quote from TG buildalong
"Next, you’ll need to build yourself a fade-out jig. As before, I used a French curve"

What is a French curve?
 Other than that, the whole red oak board bow project seems pretty manageable, I havent started the project yet, if nobody knows, maybe I could go a little lower than a 45 degree angle for the fades, or treat them like normal fades...
Just wondering 'cause I wanted to stick as close to the buildalong as possible.

-Billy
"You speak Treason!" "Fluently"-Robin of Locksley
When people ask "why didn't you do that the first time" you can be sure that they  have never made a bow before.

Offline Okla-archer

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2012, 02:26:25 am »
a french curve is a tool used to draw curves.  it is the length of a ruler and bends but it stays in place so you can bend it to how you like it then use it as a ruler.  At least thats what I think they would be taking about.

Joel

Offline Matt A

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2012, 02:30:17 am »
french curve cabinet scraper maybe??? or ruler look those up.

Offline dmikeyj

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2012, 03:11:16 am »
Its really just a template with many radius curves, inside and outside curves.  If you've ever seen someone airbrush flames, you've likely seen a french curve in use.
Here is a pic of a bunch of different ones:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/L-Zeichnen2.png

Offline randman

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2012, 03:37:43 am »
Yeah like everybody else said. French curves are really old school! Old School drafting stuff. Like way before computer drafting stuff. I think I got a few of those stuffed away in the attic.

Also a description of a very robust French girl  >:D
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

Offline soy

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2012, 04:08:26 am »
Yeah like everybody else said. French curves are really old school! Old School drafting stuff. Like way before computer drafting stuff. I think I got a few of those stuffed away in the attic.

Also a description of a very robust French girl  >:D


Ooo la la!
Is this bow making a sickness? or the cure...

Offline gstoneberg

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2012, 11:18:14 am »
Yea, if you go to Amazon and search for "french curve" you'll find several for sale under $20.  We had to use them back when I took drafting in Tech school in 1977.  How that industry has changed!!

George
St Paul, TX

Offline RBLusthaus

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2012, 12:59:21 pm »
$20 bucks my a****.  While they come in many sizes and shapes, a French curve is a piece of plastic about 8 inches long that has changing dia curves on it and it is used to draw curves and spirals with.  Any art supply store should sell a standard one for 5 bucks max and they will be next to the cheap 5 dollar plastic 45- 45 or 30-60 triangles.

I am not that old.  Why do I feel it though at this moment?

Russ

Offline Gus

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2012, 02:31:41 pm »
Dog Gone it...

I did a search for French Curve and it sent me to a Naughty Site!!!  >:D

Bad gus BAD...

-gus
"I taught him archery everyday, and when he got good at it he throw an arrow at me."

Conroe, TX

Offline rossfactor

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2012, 02:56:15 pm »
What a bummer. I was hoping this thread was more interesting.  ;) ;)
Humboldt County CA.

Offline RBLusthaus

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2012, 03:59:26 pm »
That got a prolonged LOL.

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Whats a french curve?
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2012, 07:24:02 pm »
Dog Gone it...

I did a search for French Curve and it sent me to a Naughty Site!!!  >:D

Bad gus BAD...

-gus

'Splains where you been the last few days.
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.