Carpentry and Woodworking - Measuring and cutting angles

Hello,

I am new at woodworking and have started by building birdhouses.

The one I am working on now has a octagon base. I have measured the base and marked four sides that are 3 1/2" wide. When I mark the other 4 sides with 45o angles they are not 3 1/2" to match the other sides.

I do not have a good tool for angles and wanted some recommendations how best to draw the angles.

It mentioned in the instructions that I should be cutting some 22 1/2" angles to make them all match up.

I hope someone can give me some information/advise about how to do angles and what tools to use.

Thanks so much for any information you can give me.

That's a lot to explain in one post but I will try to give a couple pointers. One, you need a mitre saw. Either power or one of the handsaw boxes at least. An octogon is made by cutting 8 pieces the same legnth 22.5 degrees at both ends (one of the ways). To get the the same legnths measure from either the long points of the angle or the short points. Easier to do long points in this case I think. Cut one angle and leave enough room for the other. measure from the long point of the cut to where you want the long point of the next one. Mark it then place your saw blade on that mark before you start cutting. Or even simpler get one cut the way you want it then use it as a pattern to trace the rest of them.

Hit the wrong key here

I do not have a good tool for angles and wanted some recommendations how best to draw the angles.

Try Home depot They have an angle square. Also have a small plastic angle tool that you can set for any degrees and read inside or outside angles.

ED;)

It's called Tru-Angle and they work really good. There is a really good book that shows you how to use it and has a nice angle chart. I've been using the Tru-Angle for a while now with my remodeling with excellent results. I also use if for woodworking projects.

Thanks goes out to RD N 2113, ED IMEDUC, and BUILD PRO68.
I really appreciate the information you provided and will be anxious to put it into practice.

I know there is nothing better they having some good tips to get started on a new project.

Thanks again.

jwilson1943