Miter Gauge
How can you cut out regular hexagons from wood?
Assuming you have a rectangle of wood with width ‘n’. I want to cut a bunch of hexagons that are n long from side to side. I have an accurate 30/60 degree miter gauge, but I constantly run into irrational number for one of the lenghts. There has to be a non-measuring, geometrical way to produce hexes. I just can’t figure it out.
If you want the width of the thing to be ‘n’, the length of the side will HAVE to be irrational – there’s nothing you can do about it. Either you’ll have to come up with a different methodology, or approximate. You won’t be able to measure it, but doing the construction is relatively easy and will probably be well within your tolerances.
EDIT: Ah, it occurs to me that you want the actual construction. Well, here it is:
I’m assuming you have a compass and a straight-edge. Do this:
Mark a point (A) on the edge of your rectangle to be a corner of the hexagon. From there, mark a point (B) an arbitrary distance to the left (less than n). Set your compass to this distance. Draw an arc from B using the A as the center. Then draw an arc from the A point using B as the center. The point C where they meet will define a 60-degree angle with the first point. Connect C to A and continue the line to the opposite edge of the board (D). You now have one edge of your hexagon. Mark the point immediately opposite A on the board (I’m assuming your board is straight, here), call it E. Set your compass to the distance between E and D. Draw an arc until it intersects the line DA. Call this point F. Continue the arc until it intersects the side of the board again. Call this point G. Draw the line EF. You now have three sides of your hexagon. Draw the point opposite G, call it H. AEFGH are now five points of your hexagon. The sixth can be find as above – set your compass to the distance AH, draw an arc from H. Set your compass to the distance GE, draw an arc from G. The point where these arcs meet is your final point, I.
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DAKOTA PERRCISION MITER GAUGE BAR DK 1018 £17.00 |
One Cut Miter Gauge Test