how to make a contour gauge duplicator

If you are doing any sort of tiling, cutting, carpet laying, or home renovation then a Contour Gauge Profile Tool is a must for every DIY handyman. In this post, we will be going over the steps needed to make your very own contour profile tool for less than $2. It could even be free if you already have the parts on hand.

If you plan to do a lot of profile work then you should buy a ready-made contour gauge tool. But if you are in a hurry these instructions will work to get you out of a jam.

Parts Needed to Make a Contour Gauge Duplicator Tool.

  • 30cm of thick box cardboard
  • 100 wooden skewers
  • Tape
  • Pencil
  • Scissors

Instructions

Cut around 30cm of cardboard in length depending on the size of the job to be measured. Make the body around 10cm wide, the wider the better for stability.

Make sure when you cut out the body that the hollow internal cavities flow in the same direction that your skewers will be inserted.

Poke each wooden skewer into the holes on the cardboard. It will be easy to use the sharp point first.

Use tape to secure the skewers to the cardboard body. You can then cut off the sharp points of the wooden skewers with the scissors. Remove the sticky tape before use.

Congratulations you have just made your own DIY contour profile tool for tiles and floorboards.

They are simple to make and a great project for the children during school holidays.

Uses for Contour Profile Tool

I use my contour tool duplicator all the time for simple jobs around the house. If you are into renovations then this tool is a must. It is perfect for the following jobs:

  • Tiling
  • Laying floorboards
  • Carpets
  • Woodworking
  • Framing
  • Arts and crafts
  • Concrete formwork
  • Gasket making
  • Plasterboard corners
  • Roof tile cutting
  • Flashing
  • Water pipe installations
  • Conduit installation
  • Electrical installations

The list goes on so if you are a tradesman then this should be in your list for essential tools.

How to use the Contour gauge duplicator.

How to use the Contour gauge duplicator.

This tool is so handy that I have brought a few different sizes. Basically, you press the contour gauge against the object or part that you want to form around.

The tool will take an imprint of the contour and will be locked into place. Now you can draw this form onto a tile, carpet, or floorboards. You can then use the appropriate tool to cut around the outline trace.

I have even seen concrete tradespeople use a DIY contour form tool to make decorative concrete. They just measure say the curb edge and then cut this form out on a tile or piece of wood. This formwork can then be pulled across the wet concrete to make a curb pattern.

Conclusion

Contour tools are great for every tradesperson from builders, electricians, plumbers, tillers, landscapers, and carpet layers. It is one of those tools that you hardly ever use until you need to do some formwork edging.

These make great christmas gifts for anyone in the above industries and kids love to play with them. Win-win.

Previous articleSmart Wireless Security Cameras for Your Rental Property.
Next article4 Anchors for Jet Skis That Won’t Damage Your Hull Reviewed

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here