Aaaaargh, what am I doing wrong??? Please help!

[mr grimsdale]

I think that if you aim for rhombus section posts (square on plan) your construction will be easier (post and rail faces will be in the same plane with simpler angles at the joints) and the end product will be visually improved - will look square, without the little toe-ins at the corners.

This way way beyond my tiny mind now
How would this work in practice Jacob? Posts cut with 2 sides at 5deg off square in one direction?

Yes - diamond shape (equilateral rhombus) with the long diagonal at 45º in plan across the corner if the splay is the same each way. Easier to do in the long run IMHO.
Difficult to get your brain around I know. In fact I tried to do it by algebra and found I couldn't do school stuff anymore so had to go off and do an OU maths course (MST 121). I can do the trigonometry now, but only just!

 

[SketchUp Guru]

There is no need to make the posts anything but square.

 

[mr grimsdale]

There is no need to make the posts anything but square.

No need - but would look better and be slightly easier at the rail joints.
It's a classic text book problem - see the link to trestles I posted above.

 

[TrimTheKing]

Maybe after watching the video, it will make sense. Coffee should help, too.

Certainly makes sense now Dave. I think my frustration was coming in because I initially did it the way you show but then couldn't tilt the legs and end rail at the same time, only the legs moved. Then it became clear on your video that I had only selected the leg components and not the rail too

I was also using the midpoint as the pivot and not the axis which would have made it much easier.

I've been at this a long time, obviously couldn't see the wood for the trees.

Thanks everyone for your help on this, much appreciated. I only need to finish the bed, draw the table, wardrobe and drawers, then start making it all in time for baby to arrive in mid May.

No problem!

Jacob - I am also interested in your rhombus thoughts, do you have any sketchup's of how it would look in practice, other than your link (that scared me when I read it first time)?

 

[TrimTheKing]

Another quick question guys (sorry!), is there a quick way to change the width between the head board posts while dragging the already drawn rails out with them? EG, so I don't need to redraw the rails again after moving the posts in or out?

The only reason I ask is that I'm not entirely sure on how wide SWMBO wants it so I'm basing it on a standard single, but wondered how easy it is to modify if she changes her mind...

 

[mr grimsdale]

...
Jacob - I am also interested in your rhombus thoughts, do you have any sketchup's of how it would look in practice, other than your link (that scared me when I read it first time)?

No sorry I don't do Sketchup. I'll get round to it one day. I'm still using a drawing board.
BTW it's not my rhombus thoughts, it's classic text book stuff worked over by cleverer people than me.

 

[TrimTheKing]

BTW it's not my rhombus thoughts, it's classic text book stuff worked over by cleverer people than me.

Yeah, I appreciate that

 

[SketchUp Guru]

You can adjust the length of the rail with the Move tool if you select only the edge at the top end to move it. The thing to consider is that you'll want to rotate, in the proper axis of course, at the bottom corner of the rail.

 

[wizer]

Well I've just sat and read all four pages of this thread totally confused, wondering all along what the problem was. Watching Dave's video, this is exactly how I would have gone about drawing this design. So er, I guess that's a good thing.

Anyway, Mark I like the design very much. I think it's going to look great!

 

[TrimTheKing]

Well I've just sat and read all four pages of this thread totally confused, wondering all along what the problem was. Watching Dave's video, this is exactly how I would have gone about drawing this design. So er, I guess that's a good thing.

And it was the way I drew it, except I used a black protractor at one stage instead of the red one and that's where the issue came in

Still, good to know it was a small error and my thought process was correct.

Anyway, Mark I like the design very much. I think it's going to look great!

Cheers, just a table, chest of drawers, wardrobe and details on bed to do now and I'm happy!!!!

Also, I might be taking you up on that turning lesson earlier than anticipated as the legs need some round detail...

 

[wizer]

I don't think 'lesson' will be the right word. I can point you to the lathe and show you how to make shavings :lol:

Is the rest of the furniture going to have this splayed effect? I think it'd be cool in a chest of drawers. Not sure how a wardrobe would work tho :-k

 

[wizer]

PS: Much as it pains me to say it. I think a 'rod' will be essential when building this bed. It will be much easier to take your measurements from a full size drawing. If you have access to a plotter then it's as easy as pressing print I did it on a couple of things I've built and makes live much easier.

 

[mr grimsdale]

PS: Much as it pains me to say it. I think a 'rod' will be essential when building this bed. It will be much easier to take your measurements from a full size drawing. If you have access to a plotter then it's as easy as pressing print I did it on a couple of things I've built and makes live much easier.

Why does it pain you to say it? The 'rod' is the essential key layout system which all woodworkers need to know about. (Ignoring that trestle rod which I linked to - that is complicated - but is essential, for roof cutting especially).
Working without a rod is like having one hand tied behind you i.e. pointless and difficult.

 

[wizer]

yes yes, shut up Jacob. Sense the sarcasm.

 

[TrimTheKing]

I don't think 'lesson' will be the right word. I can point you to the lathe and show you how to make shavings :lol:

That's more than I know now...

Is the rest of the furniture going to have this splayed effect? I think it'd be cool in a chest of drawers. Not sure how a wardrobe would work tho :-k

That's the plan, but let's see how it works out...

PS: Much as it pains me to say it. I think a 'rod' will be essential when building this bed. It will be much easier to take your measurements from a full size drawing. If you have access to a plotter then it's as easy as pressing print.

I agree, I think it will be absolutely necessary, my mate has a plotter so it should be possible.

And I will need to actually plan before I start, which will be a novel idea for me...

 

[mr grimsdale]

...
Still, good to know it was a small error and my thought process was correct.
...

Dunno I thought the thought processes were the problem - mainly the twice rotation. You only need to tip the post once; about an axis on the diagonal of the base of the post (or anywhere else you choose according to the design - but sticking to 45º will help a lot).

 

[wizer]

You probably won't want to hear this, but last night after reading this thread, I started thinking that some garden planters would looks good with this design..... :lol:

 

[BradNaylor]

I have to confess that if I was making this I wouldn't bother with getting the drawing right at all - I'd just start hacking at bits of softwood and nailing them together until I had some sort of prototype to make a rod from...