A few days back I asked about getting the wood discs out of a hole saw easily. Then one of the replies inspired me - I'll make octagons instead. That'll work, look better, be faster, etc.
Sounds easy. The discs were to be bases for profile chess pieces, 1
7/8" across. OK, cut a square 1 7/8" on each side, lop off the corners, got an octagon, no prob. Prob.I knew it would be a 45 degree angle, but how to figure how much to cut off to have each side equal? Turns out, no prob. Drew a square on graph paper, marked a line from corner to cornr. Measured 1/4" out from each side of the lines, each way. Then measured one half of the width of the square (would vary with the size of the square). Mark across, and that'll show just how much to lop off. Repeat on each corner.
Now needed a jig to make accurate cuts. Had been gonna use the mitre saw to cut with, but decided it'd be best all around using the bandsaw. Took my graph paper with the sketch, made some guide lines, didn't like that, drew out a new square, marked the corners, new guide lines the opposite direction. Done. About 10 minutes tops.
Glued strip of scrap plywood on a piece of 1/4" plywood to be the runner for the bandsaw. Just take it for granted I waited for the glue to dry before going to the next glue step. Then ran the piece thru the bandsaw to trim the edge. Then cut out the pattern, set it on the edge, with the portion to be lopped off over the edge, then align a guide along the top edge of the pattern, glue, clamp. Then same with the other two edges, leaving the "back" edge open so a square can be slid in.
I cut a piece of scrap OSB into a trial square with the mitre saw. Got one size just a tad narrow. But put it in the jig, zipped thru a corner, rotated the square, repeated until all four corners were lopped. Looking at it, the octagon looked gread; but upon measuring it, four of the corners were about 1/16" too short. But I figure that was from cutting the one side too narrow, and once I get a cutting jig made they'll all turn out the same. But, like I said, just from looking, you can't tell. Beats messing with a hoesaw - for this project anyway.
JOAT You'll never get anywhere if you believe what you "hear". What do you "know"?.
- Granny Weatherwax