PeteG
Established Member
Something I wanted to make a few months a go for our lass, a second yarn or wool holder/shelf.
I had the idea of hexagons mounted on reclaimed timber, which is something I still need to find.
Anyway, now the planters are finished, yesterday I decided to have a go at one hexagon to see how it came out.
Other than the odd 45 degree cut I've never had to cut several pieces beveled at both ends accurately enough that
they would all fit together...
I used a Hexagon Calculator https://www.omnicalculator.com/math/hexagon to me an idea of finished sizes, and very handy it was too.
First thing was to trim and cut a few pieces from the off cut pile.
I rough cut the width to 130 mm using the track/plunge saw, finished width of 122 mm once it had gone through the P/T. Each side of the
hexagon would have a finished length of 175 mm, and the off cuts I was using would give me three 175 mm sections. Once I had the six
sides it was time to cut the first 30 degree bevel. I checked the blade using a magnetic digital readout, if this was accurate it showed a
a slight difference to the 30 degree scale on the saw. After cutting all six sections it was time for a dry run and thankfully, they formed
a perfect hexagon...
This morning I decided to make another five, and again I used the track/plunge saw to trim the off cuts, but this time at 125 mm. It'd save
one less pass through the P/T. Usually I would have used the mitre saw to then cut each length in to sections, but as this was still set up
at 30 degrees I decided to use the track/plunge saw, and as it turned out it was so much quicker being able to cut across four boards
at a time.
With a stack of sections around 215 mm each it was time to start cutting the bevels.
It might have been OK cutting the bevels on six pieces the day before, but with a loss of grip in my left hand there was no way I was going
to attempt cutting over 70 bevels. So time for a jig
A few off cuts and a toggle clamp worked perfectly. I could clamp the jig to the saw,
then clamp the wood to the jig.
Once the first bevels were cut, I marked the jig at 175 mm to cut the the opposite end, then moved the jig to line up with the blade.
I cut more than I needed but I do like to have back up should anything go wrong, so with a stack of 175 mm sections with 30 degree bevels
it was time for a sanding before gluing up.
Using the track/plunge saw jig, I laid out two lengths of masking tape close to the rail, this way I could be sure all six sections were
perfectly in line. Then it was time to apply the glue and roll the sections over, with a couple of more wraps of tape once the hexagon
had taken shape.
All six finished except for a final sanding. Now I need to find the timber I want for the backing, drift wood would be perfect and it's
how I imagined the finished piece, but it's not something I'll be able to get hold of...I've shown our lass the hexagons and explained
my idea, and the idea of painting the hexagons in two different colours, grey outer white inner, or what ever colour she prefers.
Now she's very excited and can't wait for them to be finished, and also looking at more hexagons on the living room wall as plant holders!
I had the idea of hexagons mounted on reclaimed timber, which is something I still need to find.
Anyway, now the planters are finished, yesterday I decided to have a go at one hexagon to see how it came out.
Other than the odd 45 degree cut I've never had to cut several pieces beveled at both ends accurately enough that
they would all fit together...
I used a Hexagon Calculator https://www.omnicalculator.com/math/hexagon to me an idea of finished sizes, and very handy it was too.
First thing was to trim and cut a few pieces from the off cut pile.
I rough cut the width to 130 mm using the track/plunge saw, finished width of 122 mm once it had gone through the P/T. Each side of the
hexagon would have a finished length of 175 mm, and the off cuts I was using would give me three 175 mm sections. Once I had the six
sides it was time to cut the first 30 degree bevel. I checked the blade using a magnetic digital readout, if this was accurate it showed a
a slight difference to the 30 degree scale on the saw. After cutting all six sections it was time for a dry run and thankfully, they formed
a perfect hexagon...
This morning I decided to make another five, and again I used the track/plunge saw to trim the off cuts, but this time at 125 mm. It'd save
one less pass through the P/T. Usually I would have used the mitre saw to then cut each length in to sections, but as this was still set up
at 30 degrees I decided to use the track/plunge saw, and as it turned out it was so much quicker being able to cut across four boards
at a time.
With a stack of sections around 215 mm each it was time to start cutting the bevels.
It might have been OK cutting the bevels on six pieces the day before, but with a loss of grip in my left hand there was no way I was going
to attempt cutting over 70 bevels. So time for a jig
A few off cuts and a toggle clamp worked perfectly. I could clamp the jig to the saw,then clamp the wood to the jig.
Once the first bevels were cut, I marked the jig at 175 mm to cut the the opposite end, then moved the jig to line up with the blade.
I cut more than I needed but I do like to have back up should anything go wrong, so with a stack of 175 mm sections with 30 degree bevels
it was time for a sanding before gluing up.
Using the track/plunge saw jig, I laid out two lengths of masking tape close to the rail, this way I could be sure all six sections were
perfectly in line. Then it was time to apply the glue and roll the sections over, with a couple of more wraps of tape once the hexagon
had taken shape.
All six finished except for a final sanding. Now I need to find the timber I want for the backing, drift wood would be perfect and it's
how I imagined the finished piece, but it's not something I'll be able to get hold of...I've shown our lass the hexagons and explained
my idea, and the idea of painting the hexagons in two different colours, grey outer white inner, or what ever colour she prefers.
Now she's very excited and can't wait for them to be finished, and also looking at more hexagons on the living room wall as plant holders!
