A couple of years ago, we had a rather disastrous water leak at our house. As a result, we ended up having to have a lot of work done. This included a lot of fiddly pieces of wood and tile that had to be shaped to the contours of wooden door frames and various plumbing fixtures.
I remember watching the contractor guys sketching things out by hand with a pencil and then cutting the wood or tile, sometimes multiple times until they got it right.
I’m almost embarrassed to say this, but I was bouncing around Pinterest.com the other day when a rather intriguing gadget caught my eye. This little rapscallion turned out to be a capriciously cunning contour capturing contraption.
I quickly found one called the AlexBasic Contour Gauge Duplicator on Amazon, and I was so impressed that I ordered one of the little rascals. The little scamp just arrived, and I took this video in my office.
I have to say that I am very impressed. It may be that this is something of which you are already aware, in which case you are probably shaking your head saying, “Oh Max, what are we to do with you?” On the other hand, it’s been a surprise to everyone I’ve shown it to, so maybe it will be new to you also.
All I can say is that I think this little beauty would make a fantastic stocking filler present for any handyman or handywoman. What say you?
Perhaps I missed the information, but is this a one-time use device? If not how do you reset the contour back to a starting position?
My bad — the little plastic slices slide both ways, so you can reset it by simply pressing down on a flat surface.
My dad had something very much like this when I was kid. His was metal with metal pins and I think it was shorter. It came in handy when he was laying linoleum tiles in the bathroom of the cabin where nothing was square.
I just visited my chum, master carpenter Bob, and he said he’s got a smaller metal one with finer teeth, but that this larger one with slightly wider teeth would also come in very handy — I’m glad he said that because I actually purchased four of them — one for Bob — one for a contractor friend — one for my little brother — and one for a painter, decorator, and general handyman friend.
Max this tool is a trusted friend in my tool box and the aluminium one I have has been with me for more than 30 years now. Low technology but brilliant for doing what’s needed.
Hi Crusty — the amazing thing to me is that I’ve never come across this concept before — as you say, it’s low-tech, but it truly is brilliant for its intended purpose.
I think this type of device has been around for a long time. My father had one dating back to the 60’s, I think. It used small metal pins instead of plastic to follow the contours. Carpenters might call it a “contour gauge.”
Hi Thomas — as I said to Crusty (the proud owner of Crusty Mansions and husband of Mrs Crusty) — I’m amazed that this type of gadget has been around so long — but that the only way I heard of it is through Pinterest — it’s a funny old world. I would love to learn who invented the first version of this little scamp and when it was invented.
The cunning contour capture contraption consistently correlates coping curves correctly.
Charles! How great to see you here — I just saw your comment on LinkedIn and posed a comment (above) saying that you’d posted it … then I scrolled down to find you here. Happy Thursday!!! 🙂
My old workmate, Charles Pfeil, just posted a comment on LinkedIn saying: “The cunning contour capture contraption consistently correlates coping curves correctly.” I couldn’t have said it better myself!