dtimmons

I need an easy way to make an octagon that is symmetrical. I once had a copy of WOOD magazine that had an excellent way of making one with a compass. Does anyone happen to have this copy and share how to make an octagon? This copy of WOOD magazine is probably somewhere around the Aug. 08 issue. It also has a Walnut gun cabinet plans in the same issue. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

cabinetman

Here's a quick tutorial:
A regular octagon is constructible with compass and straightedge. To do so, follow steps 1 through 18 of the animation, noting that the compass radius is not altered during steps 7 through 10.
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dtimmons

Thanks Cabinetman. That is close to the way they talked about doing it, except they used a square to start off with rather than a circle. I also found out the the issue was from September of 08'.

Garibaldi

Er, uh, you mean this

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GeorgeC

Now that is really simple.

George

dtimmons

That would be it..Thanks Garibaldi.

Ohio Ron

Use a compass to draw your circle. A circle is measured in 360 degrees.
Draw a straight line across true center. Measure and mark 40 degrees from your first line on the circle, then 40 degrees from that line and so on. Now draw a straight line from each intersection point around the circle. You should end out with what you want.

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b00kemdano

lol, i always do stuff the hard way. I would've just cut a rectangle template out of construction paper to the width that I wanted the hex to be, then trace it three times - each time rotated once.

...or four times for an octogon. :)

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FDSolutionsllc

I know this is an old post, but if anyone else needs it you might also try:

http://www.htmliseasy.com/octagon_layout/

BWSmith

Theres a neat octagon "scale" on a framing square.BW

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RichO

Revisiting this old thread and thought I'd throw in one method for reference.

This is very simple but requires starting with precision.

• Cut 2 perfect squares out of wood the size of your octagon. They have to be exactly square.

• Mark the exact center of one of the boards and clamp them together flush along all of the edges.

• Drive a screw through both boards at the center as a pivot point.

• Turn one of the boards 45 degrees, using a combination square or other angle gauge.

• Clamp the boards or drive another screw through them to keep them in the exact position.

Now you can draw your 45 degree cut lines or rough cut them off proud of the line and use a router with a flush trim bit.

A similar method is found here:

http://www.thomasjmacdonald.com/medi...?vid=4f93f8446

rayking49

This is the way I layed out a table, it worked great.

VIFmike

Or draw it in CAD.

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