measuring irregular spaces

[Seapig]

I have recently been making shelves for the boat and the only straight line is the cut where I smashed my head on the door frame. So I was wondering if a gizmo exists that will use a laser measurer and record values in a circle from a fixed point. I can do this with a measuring tape and a protractor and just write everything down but I figure it is a relatively simple concept so there should be a device to do it, but I cannot find anything close.

Does anyone know of such a device?
by the way I am not talking about a contour gauge, those I have.
Currently I am using cardboard and a pair of scissors which is very low tech.

thank you
SP

[C420sailor]

There are handheld 3D laser mapping devices that will map a 3D space and allow you to dump it into CAD. They’re ridiculously cool.

And ridiculously expensive. Like 4-5 figures expensive.

[Reefmagnet]

google "tick stick"

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd2LY857oTY

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

google "tick stick"

This is the secret. Scribe the corners out using a stick and/or use a hot glue gun and 1/8” ply strips and cardboard for mock ups.

[Spot]

What has worked best for me is a slightly undersized cardboard with small 'tickers' or 'feelers' attached to match the curve with hot glue or tape.

[Malabarista]

Hey. Thanks for this what a great idea and truly great timing.
Dave

[Fore and Aft]

Seapig I use 4mm MDF cut into 50mm wide strips and a hot glue gun. Then just cut and glue the strips to whatever shape the shelf is. Never had the patience for a tick stick. The MDF pattern already fits so as long as you carefully scribe then cut your shelf out, you should have a perfect fit. Funny enough out of all my power tools it's the hot glue gun that's hurt me the most.
Cheers

[Tupaia]

A strip of wood with small holes 25- 50mm centres and a box of drinking straws or wooden skewers to fit the holes.

Offer up the wood strip and inset the probes until they contact the surface you are trying to replicate. Lay it down on the material mark round the ends and cut out.
Quick and reusable for multiple cuts.

Larger boards with multiple rows of holes can be used to transpose 3d objects like curved windows and make moulds for heat forming plastic.

[Seapig]

Thanks everyone,
All of them are good ideas. I will try them all and see which one works best for me.

[Chotu]

It’s not one or the other. Use them in combination and mix and match with what materials you have on hand and whatever is faster. Have a hot glue gun around for that technique though. It’s the only thing you actually have to buy. Most of the rest is free scrape of things.

Good luck.

PS: I used to use the tick stick but when you’re building a 50ft catamaran with a 25ft beam, you need fast. I think the hot glue gun and scraps of thin plywood combined with cardboard edges to the template has been faster because it’s so accurate and can do multiple curves with cutouts at one time. You can make seriously complex shapes very quickly this way

[Benz]

^^ second the thin plywood and glue; we use heavy scissors to cut doorskin to glue up "strip patterns." I will say that though it's really quick, it's worth taking a long time (relatively) to make sure you have a perfect pattern. Speed comes with practice, but a good job is possible for anyone who takes the time to pattern well.

[verb88]

Originally Posted by C420sailor

There are handheld 3D laser mapping devices that will map a 3D space and allow you to dump it into CAD. They’re ridiculously cool.

And ridiculously expensive. Like 4-5 figures expensive.

iPhone 12pro max has lidar .

Pop 3D portable scanner is $550 usd

[Fore and Aft]

Seapig the other good thing with the MDF pattern or similar is that you can see straight away if you can get it out the companionway entrance. That's mainly for bulkheads of course.
Cheers