Spiling sticks, joggle sticks and a “digital” rule

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Dec 21, 2021, 09:36 AM
Philip Davies

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Spiling sticks, joggle sticks and a “digital” rule

There is a technique called “spiling”, which is a way of scribing a template to fit an awkward shape, mainly a boat-builder’s technique, but useful for fitting window boards, flooring, etc. The stick is usually a bit of lath, with some notches cut in it, eg
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Suppose, for example, I wanted to cut a board which would fit around this old bit of spade (which is actually a forged plate by an established international artist Blacksmith, price on application.)
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I would cut a piece of paper or ply roughly to fit, place the point of the spiling stick around the perimeter, draw round the stick and do this as many times as necessary to record the data. Then I would lay the paper on the board, repeat the process of laying the stick on its silhouettes, but just mark the points. Then I would join up the dots and cut the board; (then there would be a lot of fiddle-faddle because the cuts weren’t quite right)

Now, if there are any boat-builders, please tell me if they have a permanent spiling stick, because I have always thrown it away when finished.
But I thought I would make a nice one today.
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(My daughter thinks the rough one is nicer)

I have been intrigued by a tool which was probably used for the same purpose, but was at the same time a rule and effectively a depth gauge, in medieval times.
The next two pictures are taken from an article in “The Mortice and Tenon”, no 3, the Carpenters’ Fellowship journal. The author, Henry Russell, who describes an exhibit in the Mary Rose exhibition. It is labelled “joggle stick”.
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The second picture is a reproduction of Medieval German carpenters hewing (the one on the left is using a mortising axe), but the one in the foreground evidently carries one in his belt.
Now it took my fancy to make a joggle stick.
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The notches are at 3/4” intervals.
“ Digit” is a noun and “digital” an adjective, so, since a digit is 3/4”, I am calling it a DIGITAL RULE!

Initially, I set it out on a graph in an old exercise book which belonged to my father. This is blocked at 5/8”, each block divided into 10 (1/16”). I have never come across this anywhere else.
Dec 21, 2021, 10:40 PM
Isambard

Vinyl layers use a similar technique, although ones I seen and used myself, are just a small rectangular block, running a line off the opposite to the edge.
Then use the same block to transpose back onto the vinyl...
Dec 22, 2021, 04:52 AM
DIYer


Thanks Philip Davies! We've added your Spiling Stick to our Measuring and Marking category,
as well as to your builder page: Philip Davies's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-spiling-stick"> <img src="/uploads/252571/homemade-spiling-stick.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-spiling-stick">Spiling Stick</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/Philip+Davies">Philip Davies</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/marking'>marking</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
Dec 22, 2021, 07:22 AM
clavius

1 Attachment(s)

It's interesting to me how all of these very specific tools and techniques develop for different trades going back hundreds of years. I had never heard of a spiling or joggle stick before now. I have also used the version that Isambard mentions (also while cutting vinyl flooring), though that will only resolve contours larger than the length of the block. Very useful in that application following along baseboards and such.

I guess the "modern" and higher resolution version of the spiling stick is embodied in contour gauges like this:

Attachment 41367

Essentially a sort of analog computer, so not quite into the digital age like yours Phillip. Cool info, and a very interesting way to solve a problem.
Dec 22, 2021, 03:00 PM
andrew mcgregor

Thanks Phillip. It’s good when very old technology does the job. I can’t think of a modern equivalent that will do the same thing. I’ve heard of (and used) a ‘ticking’ stick before. Very similar but less elaborate in the shape of it. I wonder if they’re the same thing by different names or subtly different? Any ideas?
Dec 22, 2021, 07:05 PM
Philip Davies

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew mcgregor

Thanks Phillip. It’s good when very old technology does the job. I can’t think of a modern equivalent that will do the same thing. I’ve heard of (and used) a ‘ticking’ stick before. Very similar but less elaborate in the shape of it. I wonder if they’re the same thing by different names or subtly different? Any ideas?

Thanks, Andrew. I had forgotten that it was also called a ticking stick. Whatever the name, the scribing technique is the same, but personally I think that the notches were used for measurement, which is why they were kept in a. sheath. My “digital rule”, being tapered, could be used, with dividers, to measure intervals of 1/32” across the width. But it’s entirely conjectural.
Dec 23, 2021, 07:07 PM
Toolmaker51

What I gather [pix of textbook not legible] and a particular contour/ notch pattern not a requirement; it seems to me a pointy version of a French Curve template. With enough such templates, allows any [nearly] set of points to form a curve........often with frustrating amount of trial and error.
The notches are unique in contour, so positioning is more accurate and distinct than a straight taper. Follows that picking up angular orientation better than a scale could, with need to record many deviations from an abstract datum. Main thing, the point represents actual contour, compared to "kerf" created by tracing a pencil tip.

Think that's what I thought while writing. Only one thing is sure; never seen or heard the like of, in any of it's names! So I'm googling it; one serious rabbit hole.
Dec 23, 2021, 08:37 PM
Philip Davies

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toolmaker51

What I gather [pix of textbook not legible] and a particular contour/ notch pattern not a requirement; it seems to me a pointy version of a French Curve template. With enough such templates, allows any [nearly] set of points to form a curve........often with frustrating amount of trial and error.
The notches are unique in contour, so positioning is more accurate and distinct than a straight taper. Follows that picking up angular orientation better than a scale could, with need to record many deviations from an abstract datum. Main thing, the point represents actual contour, compared to "kerf" created by tracing a pencil tip.

Think that's what I thought while writing. Only one thing is sure; never seen or heard the like of, in any of it's names! So I'm googling it; one serious rabbit hole.

Thanks, I am glad you were intrigued. If you wish, I’ll have another attempt at reproducing the text.
Dec 23, 2021, 11:27 PM
Toolmaker51

Yes Phillip, the 2nd greatest aspect here (HMT.net); that exposure to completely foreign, or forgotten, or plain ol' just not passed down techniques. Perfect example; while web has plenty about spiling, likely we'd never cross it, save a bout of grievous misspelling.

And to answer what is *1, that's easy. Facets! The astounding group of individuals, sharing interests without requirement of like-mindedness.

Occurs what makes this favored by boatwrights. We normal machinists and engineers might work in 3 planes, but those are relatively simple, even with compound angles and such. Boats have very little even just perpendicular, parallel or flat!
Dec 24, 2021, 04:33 AM
Philip Davies

5 Attachment(s)

Attachment 41395
Attachment 41397
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Hope these are legible
Dec 24, 2021, 04:39 AM
Philip Davies

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isambard

Vinyl layers use a similar technique, although ones I seen and used myself, are just a small rectangular block, running a line off the opposite to the edge.
Then use the same block to transpose back onto the vinyl...

Yes, here’s the little block I used to keep in my tool bag. I also used it to space nails or screws into corners
Dec 26, 2021, 04:33 PM
hemmjo

I have used them lots of times, but always called them tick sticks as mentioned above. Very handy. It is interesting how names of things change from region to region. The comments are interesting on this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd2LY857oTY
Dec 26, 2021, 05:03 PM
carloski

I was selling the metal ones, as shown, in the early 1970's, made by General. Now they have plastic ones, and some people think they are a new invention.
Dec 26, 2021, 05:47 PM
Peter Sanders

I could not see the point in using such a spiling stick in your example. Why not just use a pencil to draw around the object's profile?
I assumed it could be used on larger (longer) items, i.e. boat building, where tracing a profile to a "template" is beneficial. This prompted me to look on Wikipedia spiling stick which shows the intended use, though with a different "stick".
I further assumed that the notches are more for creating a line or mark at specific distances from the edge being profiled. Hence the taper of the stick.
So, instead of using the point as an indicator of sorts, the "back" (unnotched) edge is moved across the board being profiled and the pencil or other marker placed in a suitable notch, is moved along/across the template. This generates an appropriate "cut" line for the template or the new board that fits against the previously "profiled" board. Obviously in boat building this is a useful tool, for smaller items, perhaps not so useful.
Best wishes...
Dec 27, 2021, 02:37 AM
Philip Davies

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Sanders

I could not see the point in using such a spiling stick in your example. Why not just use a pencil to draw around the object's profile?
I assumed it could be used on larger (longer) items, i.e. boat building, where tracing a profile to a "template" is beneficial. This prompted me to look on Wikipedia spiling stick which shows the intended use, though with a different "stick".
I further assumed that the notches are more for creating a line or mark at specific distances from the edge being profiled. Hence the taper of the stick.
So, instead of using the point as an indicator of sorts, the "back" (unnotched) edge is moved across the board being profiled and the pencil or other marker placed in a suitable notch, is moved along/across the template. This generates an appropriate "cut" line for the template or the new board that fits against the previously "profiled" board. Obviously in boat building this is a useful tool, for smaller items, perhaps not so useful.
Best wishes...

Yes, I take your point, Peter, ha ha. I could not think of anything else to use as an example. It was merely to show the technique. The last time I did this was to fit an oak window board into an irregular masonry opening.
Attachment 41419
Were you to fit a board to fit the bottom of this ( slightly tapering) chest I made, you might find the method helpful. While I might scribe using compasses, it’s never occurred to me before to move the spiling stick and pencil simultaneously
Dec 27, 2021, 03:10 AM
hemmjo

Peter, the video is not the best example of the process either. Imagine a much more complex shape. For example fitting a counter top into the galley of a boat. Or fitting a V-berth into the bow of a boat. You want it to fit snug against the side to things do not slip between it and the side of the boat. There are no straight lines. There is nothing good to use for reference points. You just have to "map out" the size and shape by creating your own reference points.

The scribing technique you describe certainly works in a lot of situations, but that is dependent on the angle of the stick, or scribe or compass, etc remaining constant to in relation to the surface being copied.