A profile gauge or contour gauge is a tool for recording the
cross-sectional shape of a surface. Contour gauges consist of a set of
steel or
plastic
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that use polymers as a main ingredient. Their plasticity makes it possible for plastics to be moulded, extruded or pressed into solid objects of various shapes. This adaptab ...
pins that are set tightly against one another in a frame which keeps them in the same plane and parallel while allowing them to move independently, perpendicularly to the frame. When pressed against an object, the pins conform to the object. The gauge can then be used to draw the profile or to copy it on to another surface.
Applications
Profile gauges are used widely in
metalworking
Metalworking is the process of shaping and reshaping metals to create useful objects, parts, assemblies, and large scale structures. As a term it covers a wide and diverse range of processes, skills, and tools for producing objects on every scal ...
and
woodworking
Woodworking is the skill of making items from wood, and includes cabinet making (cabinetry and furniture), wood carving, joinery, carpentry, and woodturning.
History
Along with stone, clay and animal parts, wood was one of the first mate ...
. In
architectural conservation
Conservation and restoration of immovable cultural property describes the process through which the material, historical, and design integrity of any immovable cultural property are prolonged through carefully planned interventions. The indivi ...
, they are used to document the profiles of
decorative moldings.
[Neal Vogel, Christopher Jenks, "Documentation Projects, Part 2: Measured Drawings", ''Common Bond'' (New York Landmarks Conservancy) Winter, 199]
full text
In
archaeological illustration Archaeological illustration is a form of technical illustration that records material derived from an archaeological context graphically.Barker 1977
Overview
Archaeological Illustration encompasses a number of sub disciplines. These are:
* '' S ...
, they are typically used to record the profile of
pots, and are thus named pottery gauges; but in ceramics, a
pottery gauge is a template used in making pots.
References
Metalworking hand tools
Woodworking hand tools
Methods in archaeology
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