Making a paper scale

I have just been reading the article in MEW 232 by Peter Shaw describing a depth readout scale for a pillar drill,and am intending copying the idea.

My only problem is finding a way of designing the scale on my computer. I don't have any CAD programs but seem to remember seeing a simple free program that would do this sort of thing. I had no use for it at the time and just made a mental note, but now can't find it anywhere.

Can anybody suggest a simple free program that would enable me to produce a scale of the type shown in the article?

Doug

Doug,

Allow me ... Here is a link to the previous thread.

I included some, hopefully useful, notes.

MichaelG.

Thanks for your reply Michael, I have just had a look at the thread you highlighted and that was probably where I first saw the information. I did do a search on this forum but must have missed some key words.

My joy came to an abrupt halt, however,when the original link to the program for drawing the scales no longer seems to work (not on my computer anyway ) so I am back to square one.

Doug

Hi Douglas

You only need 2D cad to draw scales. You could download a copy of Draftsight **LINK** (Free) then use the array command to draw evenly spaced lines.

Its a pretty easy job. If you are able to sketch your requirements and post here I will draw one for you and save it as a PDF you can print. If it is very big you could have it printed on a plan plotter at a copy service centre.

Regards
John

Hi Doug,
There is now an error in the link, try it like this instead **LINK** something must have changed with the website host in the 2 years since the link was first posted.
Clive

For labels , I have used large sticky label paper, the largest is a whole A4 sheet. So this takes your print and sticks on the background. Then get some clear book covering plastic, also sticky. There, a finger proof label Blue Peter would be proud of. Not Professional, but very clear and practical and DONE!

Frank

Thanks for updating the link, Clive

I was on my way out when I posted my first response to Doug, and didn't have time to check.

MichaelG.

Thanks for all the very helpful responses, the new link works perfectly and I will have a play with the program and should be able to print out a suitable scale. I will probably laminate the scale before fixing it in place in order to give some protection from my oily fingers.

Thanks for your offer John, I think I will get the result I need from the program link Michael found and Clive amended, but I know where to come if I have a problem with it!

Doug

You don't need anything fancy to do simple scales. The Drawing application in Free Office will do it for you and is, well, free!

It may sound obvious, but do measure a known size on your printed scales before spending money laminating and before fitting and trusting them. I have seen printers vary the scale on items many times, so now I check. Good luck with yours. JD

Finally completed the depth scale, in the end I used a pcb drafting tool to design the scale.I had to print the scale in two parts then laminate the joined lengths. I put the scale on a slip ring since I often just want a set depth of drilling on a number of holes and this makes it easier to read when set to zero for the desired depth. Doug

Looks neat, Doug

Out of curiosity; may I ask: What 'pcb drafting tool' did you use, and what was its advantage?

... Always useful to have these things on the record.

MichaelG.

CAD DraftSight is free but beware, the one found does not work on Windows XP. However older versions are as available as per my post in the CAD forum as follows.....

'I checked DraftSight but the current version does not work with Windows XP. However anyone wanting the XP or any other version can search http://download.cnet.com/windows/cad-software/

There is a dropdown list of many versions, sortable by operating system and variant - very handy!

The XP download is 117MB and it is the 2013 version of DraftSight. When installed it works sweetly.'

David G

Michael- the drafting tool was PCB Wizard 3 which I bought from Maplin a few years ago and has managed the transition from Windows XP to Windows 7, but I now wonder if it will survive if I download Windows 10.

There was no great advantage in using this program, it was simply the only program I had available which I could get to work for this task. A decent drawing program like Turbocad would probably be much better, but I don't have that.

I had a senior moment when adding the numbers to the scale as I started at the top with zero and worked down the scale, only to then realise the scale read the wrong way round and I should have had zero at the bottom.

The scale on the friction ring was well worth the extra work and I would advise anyone making a similar dial to do this since it makes it much more versatile.

Doug

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Thanks, Doug

MichaleG.