Unknown Object 4

[TSE_asw]

Can anyone tell me what this is? It is made of metal, covered in some kind of fabric and has a nail shaped hook sticking out of the top.

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...ed4-4f65-bbe5-762398012705&file=520457425.jpg

This is a link to it because it wouldn't let me directly upload it.

Thanks in advanced.

 

[JohnRBaker]

OK, they're called "Batten Weights" and are used to hold in place the flexible 'splines' used to layout 'loft' lines on a horizontal drawing board, as shown below:

BTW, having only ONE is a bit worthless ;-)

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

[SnTMan]

Seem to recall they were called "ducks" or some such...

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[JohnRBaker]

Yes, we've called them "ducks" but officially they're 'Batten Weights' although I've also heard them called 'Spline Weights'.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

[3DDave]

Baker,

Sometimes one is all you need.

 

[IRstuff]

They look a lot like a whale toy my kid got from Burger King many eons ago.

This site shows how to make them:

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?164653-Making-Spline-Weights-aka-A-Pod-of-Whales

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

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[SnTMan]

JohnR, never heard a "real" name for them, thanks.

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[berkshire]

They give rise to the phrase, " getting all of your ducks in a row." as referred to in Lofting, either in aircraft lofts, or boat yards. Sadly now replaced by a keyboard command . P spline.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[TSE_asw]

Hey, Thanks everyone! Answers were great!