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  1. #1
    Join Date
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    How to make a oval template?

    OK I saw it here somewhere but can't seem to find it now but I am thinking of making a oval top for my coffee table and was trying to figure out how to make the oval, I assume you would make a template them cut the scrap away and then route to finish. ? is how to make the oval template, I remember a post where they used a string and two posts but can't find it. Any suggestions?
    Thanks
    Larry

  2. #2
    larry, to lay out an ellipse draw two lines 90deg to one another mark the distance from the point where the lines cross 1/2 of your measurement on each axis, one large(major),the other small(minor). using a trammell set the points to 1/2 your major axis,or from center to previously made mark.place one trammell point on the semi-minor axis, the short mark, and bisect the line of the major axis twice, once on each side of center. using the two points you have just described (x`s slightly in from the semi-major axis mark) drive a nail, also drive a nail at one semi-minor axis( short side mark) wrap a string around the three nails and tie it together then remove the nail at the semi-minor axis and replace it with a pencil and describe your ellipse. much easier to do than describe in print! tod

  3. #3
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    I had to read it about 5 times but I think I understand now
    Thanks
    Larry

  4. #4
    sorry man i`ve been spraying lacquer since 5am, my typing may be even less than my normal substandard affair....but i`m having fun tod

  5. #5
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    Larry,
    See if this site helps you understand what Tod explained.

  6. #6
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    Thanks tod.

    Excellent description.

    Frank

  7. #7
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    The problem with an oval is that its a circle with two centers or an ellipse in which you have two back to back parabolas with dual opposing foci. In some cases, its hard to tell the difference. In other cases, the ends are more football shaped.

    In either case, this exercise presents some frustration to folks. Frustration both in terms of layout and an in terms of execution of the final shape.

    Fact is, I have found that one of the best ways to complete this problem is to use a run of the mill router equipped with a Micro Fence Circle Jig using the Ellipse option. Micro Fence produces awsome tools and their contruction and execution are OLIVER-IZED!

    Nobody cuts a circle or ellipse or oval as well as the Micro Fence system in terms of setup, ease of use, accuracy and first time use success. Its worth checking these guys out. They often keep a lower profile than they should.
    Had the dog not stopped to go to the bathroom, he would have caught the rabbit.

  8. #8
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    Thanks all that site was exactly what I was looking for it explains tods version so even I can understand it, Would go with a micro fence that was my first thought but with xmas its just not in the budget right now maybe down the road.
    Thanks again
    Larry

  9. #9
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    Oval Jig

    I just had to draw an ellipse for the demilune table I am making - I used the same method that I linked to above. In the future, I'll be making this simple jig.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alex Berkovsky
    In the future, I'll be making this simple jig.
    I downloaded the plans and will probably build one. Just wondering if it can very narrow and wide ellipses? Like for a cutout at the base of a kitchen cabinet?

    I just did one by hand with a string for a bench I am building and its not right. Not sure what happened but I am going to have to redo it.

  11. #11
    jeff, try the simple trammell i discribed earlier, you`ll be impressed....02 tod

  12. #12
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    Todd, I was a draftsman/mechanical designer in my prevous life. Used to do that stuff all the time. Problem is I don't have a set of trammel points and my old compass(es) just isn't big enough for this. Watching for a set but they keep going higher than I want to pay. Otherwise I would do (and will) do it that way.

    Just got to find a decent set at reasonable price

  13. #13
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    For the LITTLE guys like me!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Horton
    I downloaded the plans and will probably build one. Just wondering if it can very narrow and wide ellipses? Like for a cutout at the base of a kitchen cabinet?

    I just did one by hand with a string for a bench I am building and its not right. Not sure what happened but I am going to have to redo it.

    Jeff,
    For the folks who make elliptically shaped parts on a frequent basis, the jig referenced in a previous post can be ideal. These jigs, however, are limited in terms of the size of ellipse that they can make. The jig shown could not make an 8"x10" Ellipse for a jewelry box or a figurine stand. Also, it would have a hard time with a 6'x18' Elliptical bar deck "island" or whatever. Making a jig for each of these could prove to be both time and space consuming.

    Most hobbyists do not make a lot of ellipses. In addition, our shops are not large enough to store all of the handy jigs that are used by the pros. That is why I am a proponent of the "little" guy, the poor, the homeless, the oppressed, stray kittens, motherhood, apple pie, the space-challenged and the amateur. (I don't need any wise remarks about stepping on my cape! ). OK - Go ahead!!

    Anyway, I'm taking one more shot even though I will be repeating some of the information provided by previous posters.

    ALL ellipses are ovals! All ovals are NOT ellipses. Mr. Stuard appeared to use these terms interchangeably in his fine referenced article. For example, an egg is an oval. It is, however, NOT an ellipse! I also disagree with his statement that the "String Method" is "sloppy". Woodworkers are NEVER "sloppy" except, AHEM, for maybe one. With that said, I don't ever recall him visiting MY shop and watching me slobber wood filler in every miter, dovetail and other "creative" joint that I come up with!

    There are several math approaches to the brad locations for an ellipse. I'm sort of a minimum BS person so let's try this:

    Let's say that you want to make an ellipse that is 56"x24". 56" will be your long dimension and 24" will be your short dimension. From this we already know that our "string" will be 56" long! Half of the problem is already solved!

    However, we still have to locate the distance between our two brads. That's not too bad so let's take a shot: Cut both of your ellipse dimensions in half and you will get 28" and 12". Next: Add the 28" to the 12" and get 40". Now subtract the 12" from the 28" to get 16".

    Multiply the 40" times the 16" to get 640 square inches. Now take the square root of 640 square inches to get 25.3".

    You now double this number to get 50.6". That is the spacing of your brads, spikes, telephone poles, etc. PROBLEM SOLVED!!

    For the above 56" by 24" ellipse, your brad spacing will be 50.6" and the "string" will be 56" long.

    I hope that you are not as confused as I am?

    Please PM me with your dimensions if I can be of any further hindrance.

    Dale T.
    I am so busy REMAKING my projects that I don't have time to make them the FIRST time!

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dev Emch
    ...Fact is, I have found that one of the best ways to complete this problem is to use a run of the mill router equipped with a Micro Fence Circle Jig using the Ellipse option. Micro Fence produces awsome tools and their contruction and execution are OLIVER-IZED!

    Nobody cuts a circle or ellipse or oval as well as the Micro Fence system in terms of setup, ease of use, accuracy and first time use success. Its worth checking these guys out. They often keep a lower profile than they should.
    I don't have their ellipse option, but I've got to second that re: their circle jig. Makes things positively easy and it's super accurate.
    Use the fence Luke

  15. #15
    Alex, that jig is the berries man. I built one of these things years ago and attached a plunge router to it also. Works like a charm everytime! Its so easy to build and use I cant imagine why anyone would want anything else. Give it a try folks, you wont regret it!

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