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Help with First Project

2K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  FrankC 
#1 · (Edited)
So this is going to be my first wood project, so yes I’m new to the whole thing. I have someone experienced to help me with it all, but I need some help figuring out the plans. There’s a picture that I made of a mock-up with cardboard to help understand what the idea is. It’s going to be a shoe rack ultimately. The inner triangles are all equilateral, with lengths of 10.5 inches on all sides. Now, I just need help figuring out how to connect the triangles with the depth of wood without leaving open spaces with the edges. Unlike in the picture, I plan to have a triangle on top and on the inside. I am trying to figure it out with math, but I don’t know if I’m overcomplicating it. Please help!

Line Pattern Triangle Design Drawing


Floor Flooring Table Laminate flooring Tile


I’m also unsure as where to start. Should I start with a large outside triangle or should I build each triangle individually and connect them all together?
 
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#2 ·
If it’s an equilateral triangle, your angles will be 60 degrees.
Although this may first seem a simple project, it’s really not. Especially for a beginner because it’s rather advanced. Because of the angles, it will be hard to nail and standard bar clamps can’t be used.
You will need a good accurate power saw. A table saw or sliding compound Miter saw would do best. Cut all your pieces for length plus 2+ inches. This will give you the added length to cut your angles. Mark the direction of the angles on each board and cut one end only. Make yourself a jig to set your final length cut and cut all pieces EXACTLY the same length. I suggest you use band clamps for your assembly and glue up each triangle separately using a good wood glue.

Shoes are normally kept in a closet. If this is the plan, no one sees the shoe rack but you. The triangle design complicates things and doesn’t utilize the closet space as well as a rectangular shelved rack. A rectangular shelf will be much easier to make for a beginning project.
If the triangle design is only for a school project to show the use of triangles, I would put it together using a hot melt glue gun. Quick and easy once your wood is cut correctly.
 
#3 ·
I agree with Toolman50. This is a very advanced Project that requires extremely accurate miters and very exacting lengths and thicknesses. This would be a real challenge for anyone to complete. I toyed a little with Sketchup on my computer to realize how really complicated it would be to dado the joints. Drawing it is one thing, it can be done, but making it would be even harder.
 
#4 ·
I think if it were me, I'd start by making the outer triangle, then each internal triangle independent of each other. Then assemble it with glue. The bugger is going to be getting the internal triangles sized correctly to fit snug. You're only looking at 3 different size triangles.
 
#5 ·
What I was thinking is to make it strong (inflexible), the joints would be dado'd, where all the inner triangles join...making it solid enough to climb on, and using feather joints on the three outer triangle corners.

Of coarse you could merely cut 60 degree angles and but glue and nail, but in my opinion, it would not last. I would rather encourage an inexperienced woodworker to try a less ambitious project that might be easier to be successful.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Well, you really haven't indicated what type of equipment you have to work with, table saw, radial arm saw, jig saw, hand saw, very ambitious box of girbles? Knowing this would help folks here begin to possibly guide you in getting started. Even the different types of table saws would help in getting you going in one direction or another. Example, a cheap Harbor Freight saw I would advise you to abandon all hope until you get a better saw. It really does make a difference. Even if you have a brand new Sawstop saw can you set the angles correctly using just the angle indicator that comes with the saw brand new? Probably not..You would likely need a Wixey angle finder and very likely a good miter guage setup such as a Miterset or one of the aftermarket miter gauges that are much more accurate than factory gauges.. Factory angle settings are notoriously inaccurate even with many high priced saws.
You're entering a very fun and rewarding hobby or vocation, but there are LOTS OF little details to learn much more about. In no way am I in any way trying to disuade you from building your shoe holder, but the more details you can provide to the people who might guide you in the right direction the easier it is to learn and teach. It would also help if you can immediately win the Mega Millions or Power Ball because unfortunately this type of hobby or vocation can be kind of pricey right out of the shoot. :) Don't pay any attention to the last part. Just a few short years ago I had next to no tools to work with and my income isn't even remotely close to lottery winnings. I've built up my shop and tools with just a social security income in about 3 years. Divorce and moving across the country on a Greyhound bus left me with basically the clothes on my back and not much more so it can be done with limited funds.
 
#7 ·
Simplest way would be to use butt joints, make the large triangle first, then it is just a matter of measuring and cutting boards to divide it up, do the four larger triangles then the remaining small triangles. With this method all the cuts can be made with a miter saw or table saw set at 30 degrees on the saw scale.

This will give you an idea of what I am suggesting:

http://benchnotes.com/Geo Shapes/geo_shapes.htm
 
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