Gothic gable molding resolving into round column.

Solution 35, William Neubecker VOL 2

For the practice: i changed the intersecting pitch of the rake mold from what is given, to 20:12 (typical steep gothic roofline). These techniques work in any condition, with practice you can learn to create pattern from any given form. Tomorrow we will transfer this to some wood or metal and check the work. I will make it larger in the next one so the lines are easier to distinguish.

In the example of a gable mold intersecting a molded column, shown in Fig. 201, there is an intersection between vertical and inclined dissimilar moldings.

This is developed as is illustrated in Fig. 202, which shows the plan and elevation of an inclined mold mitering against the side of a column.


In the plan, A B represents the surface of a wall against which the back of a half round column X and also a mold Y are placed, the molding being inclined at the angle shown in the elevation, where the intersection of the two is shown at C D E. At Y of the plan is shown a profile or right section of the mold of which a b is the back or part in the plane of the wall surface, the plane of the section being revolved upon a horizontal line as a c until it is bought into the plane of the view, that is, the plan. In the elevation a’ b’ represents the line upon which the section is taken and upon which it is revolved to bring it into the plane of the elevation, as shown at Z.

With these relations well understood, the method of deriving the pattern is as follows:

First divide the curved portions of profiles Z and Y into the same number of equal parts, numbering the points in each profile to correspond with the other, and from the points thus obtained upon profile Y carry lines parallel to the wall line to inter- sect the profile of the column, as shown from G to H.

From the points on profile Z carry lines from all points indefinitely, parallel to the lines of the mold, across the space above the plan of the miter.

Then erect lines from all of the points previously obtained in the plan to intersect corresponding lines brought from profile Z, as shown at C D E.
A line traced through these intersections will give the elevation of the miter. The pattern is obtained in the usual manner, by setting off a stretchout of the profile upon any straight line drawn at right angles to the mold in elevation, as M N, and projecting the points just obtained in the miter into measuring lines of corresponding number, as shown at C1 D1 E1

The intersection of the top part or roof of i b’ of the profile, with the side of the column, presents some peculiarities which it is well to consider, although that part is governed by exactly the same rules as are the other parts of the profile. This part of the profile, although straight, must be divided into spaces, not because of any curve in it, but because it is to be mitered against a profile which is curved in plan. It must therefore have upon it, first, points which correspond with the angles or members of the profile against is to miter, and, second, points in that part which abuts against the curve of the column, which are close enough to yield an accurate outline in the pattern It will be noticed that the fillet 7 8 of the profile is so designed as to be flush with a similar member in the plan of the column shown by c f.

That point in the profile of the roof 1 V, which will be cut by the surface e f of the column, can therefore be found by extending the line 7 8 of the profile up to intersect the roof line, as shown at point 7′. The remainder of the roof line, the part from point 7′ to I, can then be divided into spaces, according to convenience.

A simple way is, when extending the line 7 8, to also carry up lines from
the points 2 to 6 on the curve below, or as many of them as may be be deemed necessary, as shown, when the spaces from 1 to 9/ must then be set off on the stretchout line, as shown, being careful that the spaces as they occur are carefully measured, since they are likely by this method to be unequal in length.

The points on the roof can be numbered the same as those in the lower part of the profile from which they are obtained, adding primes (‘) to them, if deemed necessary, to avoid mistakes. The intersections between c’ and D of the miter will then follow the usual rule, by being made between lines of corresponding number.
The natural result of the development is to cut the fillet 7 8 from point Ja to E in the elevation of the miter, as shown by the dotted line between points of those numbers in the pattern. The extra thickness of metal caused thereby is the space ~a 7″ E of the elevation can be avoided by also projecting the point 7″ into the line 7 of the pattern and making the cut as there shown.

O D1 E1 K L will then be the pattern sought, to which the necessary edges or laps can be allowed.

WILLIAM NEUBECKER

I will be publishing “solutions” from Neubecker’s layout bible: The Universal Sheet Metal Pattern Cutter, vol 2.

This lesson is from section 4: PATTERNS FOR SHEET METAL CORNICES, RETURN, FACE, BEVEL AND BUTT MITERS, PANELS, MOLDINGS, PEDIMENTS, DORMER AND BAY WIN

In constructing the view in Fig. 124,

first draw the profile as shown at the left
and from the several angles project lines indefinitely to the right, to begin the elevation.

From A erect the perpendicular A C according to requirements.

On x y, drawn horizontally, set off the spaces found on the perpendicular a b, and through the points thus obtained on x y, draw other perpendiculars to cut the lines first drawn, as shown from A to B.

As a verification of these intersections, it should be noticed that the line A B must be at an angle of 45 degrees and that all the intersections must fall on this line. F

From C, draw C E at the required angle and draw v w at right angles to C E, upon which repeat the spacings on a b as before.

Through the points thus fixed, draw lines parallel to C E to intersect with the vertical line just drawn, thus establishing the position and angle of the miter line C D.

Since both arms of either one of the miters shown are alike, we can economize labor by developing the pattern for the middle piece, duplicating the other arm of the oblique miter from the upper end of the pattern when obtained and that of the square miter from the lower end of the same pattern.

Therefore divide each of the curved portions of the profile into any convenient number of equal spaces, numbering the points of division as shown by the small figures, and set off a stretch-out of the entire profile on a line drawn at right angles to the lines of the elevation of the piece being developed, as shown by M N.

Draw the measuring lines through the points thus obtained as shown, which must be numbered to correspond respectively with the points on the profile.

Project lines from the several points of division on the profile, parallel to the lines of the mold, to intersect the miter lines A B and C D, as shown, and,

finally, project lines from each of the points of intersection just obtained on the two miter lines to cut measuring lines of corresponding number in the stretch-out,

when lines traced through the points of intersection thus obtained, as shown from A1 to B1 and from C1 to D1, will, with the line A1 C1 and B1 D1 constitute the pattern.

One of the principal sources of failure to get correct results in miter cutting is carelessness in the numbering of points.

The profile should in all cases of miter work first be divided into spaces and numbered consecutively from one end to the other. Then each point on the stretch-out line (M N) should bear the same number as the point which it represents on the profile.

If any difficulty then arises, each point on the miter line can also be numbered to correspond with the point from which it was obtained on the profile, as indicated by 1′, 2′, 3′, etc., on either miter line.

After this there should be no trouble in projecting the several points on the miter line into the proper measuring line of the stretch-out.

Universal Sheet Metal Pattern Cutter, VOL2

“Surface development” or “surface pattern making” is the process of creating a 2d pattern for any shape that will be formed out of sheet material to create a 3d assembly.

The skills of surface development pattern making are important for decorative sheet metal, historic preservation, metal roofing, and copper work. Learning how to develop a pattern for any shape you would like to create can be useful for larger architectural forms as well.

One of the techniques used in pattern making is called “parallel line development”. This skill is vital for creating notching patterns for standing seam roofs.

The book, along with many other primary sources are hosted at The APT Library at the internet archive.