[Woodcarver] Re: Drafting pyramids

[WorkingInWood]

Hi Victor,
I think the easiest way to set up for the pyramid is to make a template of 
one of the sides from something like  1/8" plywood.  Draw a base line 10" 
long.  Set a compass at 11-3/16" and draw an arc above the line from one of 
the ends of the base line.  Draw another arc same length from the other end 
of the line.  Join the point where the arcs meet to the ends of your 10" 
base line.  This gives you a triangle with the angles and lengths I 
mentioned before.  Cut out the template and use it to lay out your 
workpieces.
On your final workpieces the base line must be cut at a mitre angle of 30 
degrees.  The two other sides of the triangle must be cut with the saw set 
to a mitre angle of 38 degrees (37.8 actually).  When four of these sides 
are assembled they will produce a pyramid 10" square on the base and 8.66" 
tall which is the profile of a triangle of 10" on all three sides and 60 
degree angles.
This cutting is a lot easier to say than do.  But these are the target 
dimensions and angles to aim for.

Larry

----- Original Message ----- 
Subject: [Woodcarver] Re: Drafting pyramids



> Larry,

>

> I was thinking about the actual cutting of the wood for the clock.  I 

> suspect, although don't know for sure, that it would be very much like 

> cutting a mitre cut for crown molding on a compound mitre saw.  For that, 

> you cut the molding upside down with the saw set at the angle of the cut, 

> usually 45 degrees and the bevel cut set at 45 degrees.  I would think, 

> without actually chopping up some wood, that cutting this would work the 

> same way, inside out at 60 degrees and the bevel set ot 60 might get the 

> right angles without all the mental gymnastics.   You clearly can do it, I 

> can't!!! LOL!!

>

> If Jean doesn't have access to a larger compound mitre saw, perhaps you 

> can verify the cuts to make and she can find a woodworker who has a saw to 

> do this.

>

> Thanks, Vic H

>