Do Nothing & Ellipse Machine

[Joe Scharle]

Kids love these things and it only takes an hour. Also, good for drawing an oval.

 

[Monty]

Neat! Never thought of it as a toy before.

 

[macdaddy]

I haven't seen one of these in awhile. Do you have the demensions handy? I would like to build one and it appears to me that if the moving parts were too long it would stop the whole thing.

Thanks,

macdaddy

 

[Joe Scharle]

I usually start with a square 5 or 6 inches. Makes it simple to find the centers. I cut the DT slots about 1/2" deep, but first I make scoring cuts on the TS to help the DT bit a little. Also, the scored cut helps me setup the RT fence/bit for the DT cut. After that I move the fence up to cut the male part. I sneak up on this cut. When it fits into the female slot just right, I rip it to whatever height I want, then cut 2 equal lenghts. The slides can be as long as any half slot. Then place a screw hole in the CENTER of each slide. Attach crank; wax slides; have fun!

 

[macdaddy]

Thanks Joe for your very fast reply. I assume that this is all done with a dovetail router bit. I am going to try it as soon as I find the time. Of course that is what every woodworker is really looking for: more shop time.

Thanks again,

macdaddy

 

[DavidF]

I made one of these once and attached a small router to it to cut a slot for an oval boxwood inlay around a panel of figured mahogany I also routed out. Worked really well. I also have made a half one for a long thin ellipse.