Friday, February 22, 2013

Measure Twice; Cut Once

One of the hardest things for me - and I've been told it's difficult for many other wood workers -  is getting measurements and angles just right so that everything fits perfectly. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've been off by some fraction of an inch, which leads to a gaping hole somewhere in the project.

The worst job of measuring I can recall was assembling the frame of a display box, and I put a shelf in crooked. Not just a little crooked. It was off by a full 3/4 of an inch - I put the bottom edge of the board where the top of the board should have been. Needless to say, I had to take it apart and start over again.I also had to replace some of the wood parts because of the nail holes.

So, imagine my nervous tension as I began to assemble my roof section for the front porch and then slid the porch posts under that section. I was prepared to see a gaping hole. Instead, on the left side, it fit perfectly, and on the right side, I had to add 1/16" to the bottom of my brick column. Wow! I ultimately added some pieces at the top of the columns to hide any flaws in the measurements. After all, that's what baseboards and trim boards around windows and doors are all about - even in full scale houses!  

8 comments:

Mike said...

I like this project & great job so far! For those of us not lucky enough to be in your group, is there a plan that we can follow to try this for ourselves?

George the Miniguy said...

Actually, there isn't, Mike. I'm making it up as we go along! One of these evenings when I get some time I will do a post with the measurements of the key pieces.

miraclechicken said...

I love this!

Lady Jane said...

This is awesome!!!

Kathi said...

I really like this house! Would love to live one just like it. :D

Anna said...

George, do you mind me asking how you made the tapered columns? I'd like to do something similar in a future build.

Debora said...

Great picture you've made of the colums, right from below as if we were looking up and admiring the grandness of the inviting porch. Great job!

But hey! if it's any consolation, this mistake is all to common. My dad told me that same saying, many many times before at an early age already. You'd think i would be prepared somehow? Whaha, forget it George. I'll safe myself the embarrassment but i can tell ya i measure three or even four times sometimes now :D

Debora said...

Great picture you've made of the colums, right from below as if we were looking up and admiring the grandness of the inviting porch. Great job!

But hey! if it's any consolation, this mistake is all to common. My dad told me that same saying, many many times before at an early age already. You'd think i would be prepared somehow? Whaha, forget it George. I'll safe myself the embarrassment but i can tell ya i measure three or even four times sometimes now :D

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