Tool for finding complex curves?

OK, ive seen this tool once before but it was kinda small in size. It has a bunch of pins in line and you push it up to a curved object so the pins contour to the curve. Then you can take the tool and mark the pins curve on a piece of metal so when you cut it out you can match it to the curve.

I want to make or find one of these but bigger so i can put a large piece of plexi up to a complex curve at an angle.

Does anyone know what tool im talking about, know where i can find one, or advice on how to make one.

Ive spent hours doing the trial and error method to get it to fit with some cardboard but it isnt turning out good. I just need that profile so i can cut it out.

 

I know what you mean but I don't know what it is called,I have just the same tool in my tool box,very handy it is as well.
I bought mine from a big DIY store over here,so I would suggest looking in a similar store,or in a woodworking store as I believe it is a carpenters tool primarily.
john

 

you mean a body contour?

if thats what you mean eastwoods got em

 

yeah thats what it is, i just need to makeone that is longer, the ones ive seen are only like 4 inches long, used for coping.

 

does it look something like this

 

this one is 10 1/2 long

I got this from my dad so i have no idea were to get it

 

I have also heard them called contour gauges, heres a 6 incher at sears.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00939542000

here is a 12"

http://www.right-tool.com/12steelpinco.html

One more, smaller than the 12" but definatley cheaper.

http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=864-220&go=2852&KEY=CONTOUR+GAUGES


hope that helps.

 

I got mine from Harbor Frieght for somewhere around $10, Eastwood has a larger one for more but dont remember how much.

 

i just went up to harbor freight, unfortunatly they just closed, i found one at home depot, but it was only a 6" one. So i picked up some wire and some bolts and got some 1x2 s gonna make one myself, got alot of cutting of wire ahead of me. Gonna make a 24" one. A 12" one would be handy but i would like one longer. Thanks