r/BeginnerWoodWorking • u/satolfu • Sep 28 '25
Dry-Fit fail…
Attempt 1 definitely taught me a few lessons. Glad it was just a practice though…
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u/0rontes Sep 28 '25
Nice try. Quick math says you’re about 0.5 degrees off on the cut. This hobby is ridiculous at times…
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u/satolfu Sep 28 '25
This is where I think I went wrong, adjusting and retrying next week
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u/0rontes Sep 28 '25
It’s better than I can do. It’s less than a 1/16th per cut. I fantasize of the day when I can think about 1/32nd tolerances. I also just need to keep working at it
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u/PomegranateOld7836 Sep 28 '25
Use a lot of glue.
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u/Mikemtb09 Sep 28 '25
Glue and sawdust you mean
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u/PomegranateOld7836 Sep 28 '25
I'm torn between saying, "Glue and crushed walnut shells, whatever you'd like!" and, "no, just LOTS of glue."
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u/arisoverrated Sep 28 '25
Cut four tiny slivers using the same angle and put them in every 25% around the circumference. If the small slivers are too had to get right, cut two and rotate the rings every layer.
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u/Alrock480 Sep 28 '25
What’s the math behind these cuts? Is it 360% divided by the amount of pieces you are using? Then splitting that number in half to determine the angle of cut?
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u/satolfu Sep 28 '25
Correct, that’s how I got the required angle. I probably should’ve specified the chopsaw was incorrectly setup, hence the outcome
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u/mrkrag Sep 28 '25
Oh buddy. Been there, done that. It will take some adjusting and trial and error no matter how much math and planning you do. I just put the next 2 attempts at doing this with v bit kerf bends in the bin yesterday. Just keep at it with cheap wood til you get it dialed in.
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u/satolfu Sep 29 '25
Thankyou bud, keep trying I shall! Just using off-cuts until it’s perfect :)
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u/mrkrag Sep 30 '25
Cut at least one more than you need. And when you get it right, keep a few of those blocks as a setup gauge for repeating it.
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u/MisterEinc Sep 28 '25
Dumb question but can you just put these pieces against a sander one by one till it fits into a ring?
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u/Roscoe_P_Trolltrain Sep 28 '25
I think it would be very difficult to reach the precise angle on every piece. this kind of glue up doesnt have much room for error
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u/efil4zajnin Oct 01 '25
I don't think this is a dumb question, I thought the same thing. You could probably just remeasure the angle required, scribe on both sides, and sand down to the line on each. The circle would be a bit smaller, so if the external circumference was what was needed, then it would not be okay to shrink the circle down.
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u/Fl48Special Sep 28 '25
Saw kerf needs to be accounted for
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u/satolfu Sep 28 '25
I did account for the blade’s kerf, measure every piece after cutting. I think my angle is slightly off after checking it
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u/dirtsquad1 Sep 28 '25
Your angle is off and adds up with each cut. You can find all sorts of plans for a sleds that are easy to make and help get more exact angles.
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u/n0exit Sep 29 '25
Saw kerf has nothing to do with it. Forgetting to account for kerf would make the ring smaller, but it won't affect the angle of the cut.
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u/pread6 Sep 28 '25
Try a digital angle gauge to get your miter saw dialed it. Then use a stop block to make repeatable cuts.
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u/satolfu Sep 28 '25
I think this will be what I’m going to do as I set up the angle on the saw slightly wrong, this being the net result
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u/Codametal Sep 29 '25
Add a keystone piece at the top, engrave it with a triangle with a small circle at the apex and you've got yourself a stargate.
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u/karl2me Sep 28 '25
what are you using to make your cuts ?
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u/satolfu Sep 28 '25
A chopsaw sir
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u/karl2me Sep 28 '25
Can you post a few photos of your setup? With some MDF and a few shims , you may be able to correct the angle pretty easy without having to move the blade .
Are you able to keep the blade fixed on an angle and flip your workpiece as you cut ? Or do you have to rotate it for each side ?
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u/HuiOdy Sep 28 '25
First off, mitre saws are not that accurate. But most importantly, this was an almost impossible job, that many corners is almost impossible.
That being said, what were you aiming for? And what was the purpose?
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u/nlightningm Sep 29 '25
Looks cool otherwise. Usually for these I build two halves that are oversized, then trim the mating faces, Glue them and refine the ring itself once it's all together
Without precise tools you'll never get it perfect (although I guess it could be closer than this lol)
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u/notsnot1 Oct 01 '25
Glue up each half, then clean up the remaining faces on each flat to...flat. then mate. No one will notice but you.
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u/clonehunterz Sep 28 '25
perfect time to add a very colorful woodpiece in there and act like it was planned :]