Sliding beam trammel

[royce]

I've had a couple trammel points with out a beam for years and thought I would make a sliding beam for them.
Started with a mock up to practice scribing and inking the graduations as well as stamping the numbers.
Also formed some copper end caps and milled the end of the mock up, so the cap fits up flush.

 

[KMScott]

It’s great to see you using yourJig Bore Royce. Cutting wood seems easy with a milling cutter but it takes a different approach then cutting steel. Have fun with your project.

 

[royce]

Thanks Kevin,
Still trying to figure it all out.
The copper end caps were also tricky to mill the flanges even, without bending them.

Royce

 

[royce]

Got the guides and clamp brackets formed and soldered today.
Also looking at mounting a pencil holder to the trammel point.

Royce

 

[royce]

Beam ends caped and pinned.

Royce

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Looking good Royce. A nice and useful sliding beam. The copper caps are a classic addition. Looks like it will have pretty long reach too. Ed.

 

[royce]

Looking good Royce. A nice and useful sliding beam. The copper caps are a classic addition. Looks like it will have pretty long reach too. Ed.

Thanks Ed,
Around 52"

 

[royce]

Looking good Royce. A nice and useful sliding beam. The copper caps are a classic addition. Looks like it will have pretty long reach too. Ed.

Thanks Ed,
2" to around 52"

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

That is a good range of use on your sliding beam Royce. I have a circle cutter for the torch but on larger radiuses I find myself looking for a piece of string. Your solution is much more elegant. Ed.

 

[royce]

Got the guides and clamp, fastened today.
I split one of the beams, driving the screws, darn it.
Slathered some epoxy in the screw holes to keep it from growing, oh well.

Royce

 

[PugetDude]

Beam ends caped and pinned.

Royce

Turned out great Royce. Always enjoy your projects-big and small.
Scott

 

[royce]

Turned out great Royce. Always enjoy your projects-big and small.
Scott

Thanks Scott, not quite done.
Still needs increment lines and numbers scribed, stamped and inked.
Also need to mount a pencil holder.

Royce

 

[tarbellb]

Looking good, bummer about the split wood.

Couple of quick things that may help on the next go around:

Blunt the tips of those screws to keep splits at bay
Stagger if possible in the grain
Smaller screws

 

[royce]

Looking good, bummer about the split wood.

Couple of quick things that may help on the next go around:

Blunt the tips of those screws to keep splits at bay
Stagger if possible in the grain
Smaller screws

Thanks Tarbellb,
Yes, smaller screws would have been a benefit or at least drill the holes a touch bigger!

Royce

 

[royce]

Not too much progress today, started laying out increment lines.

The trammel points are brass and the pencil holder is plated cast iron.
With no way to mechanically fasten the two together, I'll silver braze a copper backing plate to to the cast iron, then soft solder the copper to the brass trammel.
That will keep from distorting the brass trammel body.

Royce

 

[Monza Harry]

Lookin' Good Royce! Now for the question everyone wants to know: Where the #€!! did you get that "Kant Twist" clamp? That clamp looks smaller than my functional keychain version! And since we are off the rails, I'd like to know, is that mechanical pencil something special, or a less spectacular version [clearly from the pic "she's a beaut Clark" *]? As stated by others, and I'll add my "Thanks for Sharing" to the list! Harry
*Christmas Vacation reference there for everyone's amusement.

 

[royce]

Lookin' Good Royce! Now for the question everyone wants to know: Where the #€!! did you get that "Kant Twist" clamp? That clamp looks smaller than my functional keychain version! And since we are off the rails, I'd like to know, is that mechanical pencil something special, or a less spectacular version [clearly from the pic "she's a beaut Clark" *]? As stated by others, and I'll add my "Thanks for Sharing" to the list! Harry
*Christmas Vacation reference there for everyone's amusement.

Thanks Harry,
The clamp came from a good buddy and the pencil is just a pencil.

 

[royce]

Got the pencil holder brazed and soldered, lines scribed, numbers stamped and inked.
One beam swings 26", both beams 53"
Still need to put a couple copper sleeves in, to hang it on the wall.

Royce

 

[PugetDude]

So, Royce, gonna tell us why you need to draw big circles?
Scott

 

[royce]

Scott,
Not as much for circles, as for bisecting angles, swinging arcs, and picking up points or transferring dimensions.
Fastest, easiest way to get accurate perpendicular lines on the shop floor or bench top to start any project.
I don't CAD, so I find them essential for design and layout work.

Royce

 

[royce]

Ok then, got the copper sleeves pressed in and oiled the whole thing, so can call it complete.

Some would say this could be done with a string or couple nails driven through a board and they would be partially correct.
I look at it as a chance to get all the features I feel would be beneficial in a tool.

The telescoping trammel indexes off the end of the beam and the single beam indexes off the edge of the trammel point.
Having graduated beams is a treat to use for quick setting and or adjustment.
The point's locking screws bear on a leaf spring and a coil spring for the pencil holder, making for smooth adjusting on both.
While somewhat crude, it functions nice and smooth.
I'll never get voted into the toolmakers hall of fame but sure enjoy tinkering on things like this.

Thanks to all for the kind words

Royce

 

[jhn9840]

Very nice indeed Royce. The Toolmakers HOF should vote you in!

jhn9840
John

 

[Grant Gunderson]

That turned out great!! Well done!

 

[royce]

Very nice indeed Royce. The Toolmakers HOF should vote you in!

jhn9840
John

Thanks John,

Royce

 

[royce]

That turned out great!! Well done!

Thanks Grant

Royce

 

[MoonRise]

What, no rosewood or mahogany with brass hardware? No inlaid wire markers for the major distance marks?

Numbers are hand stamped, right?

And you do use CAD. Cardboard Aided Design aka CAD.

Looks nice Royce.

 

[royce]

What, no rosewood or mahogany with brass hardware? No inlaid wire markers for the major distance marks?

Numbers are hand stamped, right?

And you do use CAD. Cardboard Aided Design aka CAD.

Looks nice Royce.

Thanks Moon,
Not the the best choice for wood, but I had the yellow cedar on hand.
Yes, hand stamped numbers.

Royce

 

[PugetDude]

Thanks Moon,
Not the the best choice for wood, but I had the yellow cedar on hand.
Yes, hand stamped numbers.

Royce

How do you keep the numbers so straight? Whenever I stamp something it looks like I was suffering from hypothermia and the DT's at the same time.

 

[royce]

How do you keep the numbers so straight? Whenever I stamp something it looks like I was suffering from hypothermia and the DT's at the same time.

Clamped a bar to it to rest the punch against.
Took a little practice to find the right hammer weight and number of strikes, so not to break the fibers too much.

Royce

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

I can't tell, is there a fine adjustment that tilts or otherwise moves one of the points?

I've got one at home that does that, and it's a really nice feature.

Edit: Forgot to say, great work as always.
Wish you'd post more stuff more often!

 

[royce]

I can't tell, is there a fine adjustment that tilts or otherwise moves one of the points?

I've got one at home that does that, and it's a really nice feature.

Edit: Forgot to say, great work as always.
Wish you'd post more stuff more often!

Thanks Muck,
No fine adjustment on this one.
I've accumulated quite a few trammels over the years trying to find the perfect one.
If I get time today, I'll post some pics of some fine examples.


Royce

 

[royce]

Started a thread in the vintage tool forum, named a gaggle of beam compasses, if anyone has interest

 

[Monza Harry]

PD if I might offer some additional unsolicited advice on to Royce's spot on advice. I use a straight edge as well when possible, but I also stamp from right to left to give me a better view, I'm right handed and hold the stamp with my left hand [so adjust to fit your conditions]. Try using masking tape as a guide to set the edge of the letter on as some stamp sets aren't exactly centered. Also if using a solid straight edge be careful as I did this to 12" Mitutoyo scale from my combination square set! I don't want to replacement cost for this customized piece. Harry

 

[LXCam]

Luv it Royce. Large or small you always bring an unprecedented level of craftsmanship.

And Merry Christmas!

 

[royce]

Thanks Cam and Merry Christmas to you and yours

Royce