I've been watching a playlist of your videos for about 45 minutes, amazing tricks in every one. and there is always something to smile at. Thanks for sharing your workshop and knowledge.
GREAT video and inspiration. I watched it this morning and spent a couple hours today building the sled. After a bit of frustration getting my head wrapped around how to turn each piece for cutting I made 3 flat stars, beveled ones are a project for tomorrow. I used your math to make a CAD drawing of the triangle, printed it out, and transferred it to the sandpaper. Once I cut out the paper I glued it to the sled and used it as a guide for installing the cutting blocks.
This is just beautiful in every respect! From defining the 3D geometric challenge and analyzing the problem, through your clear exposition of the trigonometric solution, with a simple algebraic cancelation of sines... to the realization with that clever practical jig and using straight-grained wood that accentuates the star's geometry... Superb! There's a wondrous universe inside your Brain buddy!
I appreciate how you showed the steps to solving the math involved here. I've been driving myself nuts and burning through a lot of wood trying to figure out the correct angles. This will help a ton with my appliqués I use for my rustic furniture. Thanks!
Great. I'm glad it is helpful. This method will serve you well for a star against a flat piece, like on a piece of furniture. Once you figure it out and make the sled, it becomes super easy. Good luck, and let me know if I can help you any further.
Great video. Going to try and make a bigger one with a bandsaw and that jig. Thank you for breaking it down so understandable that a child could follow your instructions. This should be a project in high school wood shops, if they still exist
Back before computer cad , us older tool makers would sit at our benches for hours figuring all our dimensions for making punch and die sections. Someone would walk up and ask a simple question and it was like a punch in the gut tryin to wrap your brain around what you were doing again.
I typically use (and recommend) a 24-tooth 7.25" Freud Diablo for general purpose. I also keep a 40-tooth handy for special purposes. The 24 is usually under $10 and it has nearly the finest kerf I have seen. Home Depot carries it; obviously it is the bright red one.
Thank you for making this video. I love it when someone makes a jig instead of hawking an expensive product most of us would only use once, if we bought it.
if this guy was a boy scout they would give him a merit badge for multiple reasons. who couldn't appreciate and marvel at this demonstration. ya might have view it more than once since it is loaded with information but unquestionably, a GREAT VIDEO !
I once heard a mathematician say that he became good at it because he was lazy. I kind of agree with that. I don't know all of my times tables, and I am not good at memorizing numbers or angles, but I like to know enough math techniques so that I don't have to memorize. Carrying around the solutions to all of life's problems would be a lot heavier than just carrying around the ability to solve them ;)
A more than outstanding video! Precise and to the point with a calm approach! I was pulling my hair on the math. I got it the first time watching this video- I know where I was going wrong. I've been woodworking for 40 years or more and just now I decided to make 3D stars- go figure.
I found the math to be a very entertaining portion of the information and that part about getting more sure placement of parts by using math, well that is like a ray of sunshine. I will be looking to us that type of thinking in a future project. Thanks for making the sun shine, lol.
Yep, my sister lives there, so I should probably send her one. I really liked the math part, but this is probably my favorite video. Maybe because I had to scratch my head so much to make it. There was a lot of math involved that I didn't include, because I get the feeling that it bores most viewers. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great video inspiration! Pretty beautiful work! Thank you very much for the express class on geometry. We get so busy with everyday tasks that sometimes we forget about these basic things we learned in school. Amazing work! Congratulations!
Thanks! I use mathematics a lot. I don't know why so many carpenters have such an aversion to it. It really is just like using a coping saw or a chisel- the more you do it, the better you get, and the more things you can use it for.
I made a couple of stars and they were ok, but not perfect. After watching your video I got some serious info on the technique of the angles needed. Can't wait to make that jig. Thank you very much.
On the subject of sizing the stars. A 1" clearance from the blade kerf to the alignment blocks gives a 6 1/8" star. So a 2" clearance gives a 12 1/4" star. And a ~5" clearance would produce a ~30" star. Practicality not withstanding. Alignment block left > 1" clearance blade Kerf 1" clearance < Alignment block right
Beautiful 2x4's you started from!!! Seemingly straight and Not a knot in sight. The 2x4's at my local store as aee knot riddled twisted cupped and bowed, usually with some visible wane
Thank you for this. Admittedly, I just came for the angles and measurements of your jig. While I did learn your awesome process, I also get the sense that I am LOT less educated than I thought.
All the more reason to watch again and practice it. It becomes easy after awhile, and it makes you a better carpenter... everything in carpentry is triangles. If you do that problem ten times without looking, you will never forget how to do it.
Doesnt matter because this video is a better teacher on the math process than any actual math teacher in school.... you can learn ANYTHING online. As long as you have the drive to seek out this knowledge, college is a waste of money
Deep. I just did 360 degrees divided by 5 = 72. Each finger has two parts so half 72 for 36... Maybe I'm too simple minded. I didn't care about the angle at the point. My only concern for angles was where they joined. Equal length took care of the points. I do like your sled though. Thanks for sharing.
You could do that, but why bother with the extra work now that the numbers have been figured out? Also, with something this precise, the thickness of the printed lines or any minor distortion from the printer could be enough to throw it off.
Most of my audience is American. The numbers are really arbitrary, and it is just a simple conversion. Also, it makes little difference if you are using digital calipers. But I do agree with you, and I often use both systems.
Thanks, MrChris. I am glad that some of us out there enjoy this stuff. I think many will find this one tedious or boring. And sorry I made the message too short (I couldn't get it either).
WOW... You're videos have always been good.. This is a whole new level. Great use of technology and math. It is obvious to the audience that you really know your stuff. Keep up the good work. I check out your videos on a regular basis!!!! Charlie
I made a small one of those by hand out of a single piece, carved and shaped it with chisels, rasps, files and sandpaper. It's about 2 inches tall when standing on two of the legs.
I'm so fascinated with woodworking, trying to teach myself now that I'm retired. This video is very helpful, but I need to brush up on my math. It's been over 40 years since I've used geometry.😂😂😂. Any other tips or resources will be greatly appreciated. TFS
Thank you for uploading this tutorial plus the math lessons. I'll give you a thumbs up for your neat work. My dad would really appreciate this tutorial, being a carpenter and a math Wizard. However, I"ll pass and will go to Homesense to pick up a star to decorate my shelf.
Hi! I'm trying to make this work. But it seems I'm missing the correct angle for the stock piece that enables you to cut the shorter side soft each triangle. What's the angle of that cut for the stock piece (the end grain part) relative to its side? Thanks
I'm sorry, but I really don't understand your comment. Please give me a timestamp from the video or try to clarify which angle it is that you're after. So far, are you using the exact same method that's shown here?
@@pocket83squared I'll try to explain better. It's at 3:12 I don't have a miter saw. So in order to cut that piece of stock that ends up fixed on the sled I set the miter gauge on my table saw to 72 (90-18). But once cut, the shorter cathetus of my triangle ends up being not steep enough and once I start to assemble I can't get a five point star. Thanks for the video and your answers!
@@mariano_353 Sorry in advance for making something simple seem complicated, but anything will seem easy once you've figured it out! Is sounds as though you've done everything right. A table-saw's miter gauge _usually_ will read the same way that the numbers on a miter-saw do. The reason for this is that a table-saw's blade is perpendicular to the 0° setting on the miter gauge. 0° is _really_ 90°. It is possible that a gauge will read 90 instead of 0 when set for making a normal, square crosscut. Thus, you should be setting your gauge to either 18° or 72°. One way to look at this is that 18 and 72 are the same angles, viewed different ways. Looking at the cut piece that's on the sled, if we were to place a protractor on it (with the bottom line kept along the bottom edge), it should read 18/72. If your gauge when set to one of these is still giving you something else, then its markings are likely incorrect. Try to test your angle against a protractor first, just so that we can rule out your gauge's markings.
@@pocket83squared went back to this today. Sort of nailed it. And I mean sort of because I ended up with a 8° gap once all parts are assembled. So I guess I botched that cut and the error carried over to the whole 360° turn. Gonna make some adjustments
That was awesome Pocket!!, and now I can make some stars.I loved the way you matched the grain in the wood to make............I don't no like infinite little stars. It felt like that to me anyway. Thank you, and keep up the great work that you do because people will learn a lot from watching them. I well anyway.Kevin.
How do you take the 9.234 inches and transfer into basic ruler measurements if that makes any since? I know that 9.25 inches would be 9 1/4" so the 9.234 would be a bit smaller but how much exactly? 1/8", 1/16"?
That's a good question. First, look for the difference between the two (difference implies subtraction). 9.25 - 9.234 = 0.016 or 16/1000 Now to the question: How big is that, compared to a sixteenth? Well, 1/16 = 0.0625, so how much is 0.016 _out of_ 0.0625? Out of implies division, so 0.016 / 0.0625 = 0.256, which is about one-quarter, so it takes about four of those little pieces to equal a sixteenth. I keep a chart hanging on the door, which is for fraction to decimal conversion (it's in increments of sixteenths). When I get a caliper or other digital reading, I look at which two fractions it sits between, and that narrows it down. If it requires a higher tolerance, I look for the next two smaller fractions that it sits between. After practice, you get a "feel," but you can also do it more precisely, with algebra, if you want. Hope this helped.
pocket83 Thanks for the response. Yes I also found a decimal to fraction conversion chart after I asked you my question. From what the chart says, it seems that .234 is equivalent to 15/64 of an inch. Very helpful. Now to find a ruler that breaks it down into 64ths. Thanks again.
Take the decimal part of the number .234 and multiply it by 32 for an approximation of how many 32nds it'd be. Or by whatever precision you can get like 16 or 64. .234 × 32 = 7.488 so about 7.5/32 on the tape measure. Or multiply by 64. .234×64 = 14.976 so about 15/64 . There's a sacrifice to doing this if you round too much. Or you could use digital dial calipers that can measure out to decimals for you. I hope this helps someone
7:10 I use brad nails that are sticking out just a bit 1/16 or 1/32 and sharpen that keeps the wood of moving. A bandsaw with sharp blade for cutting small part works good too. Thanks for the great video, big help.
I agree: this method could easily be adapted to a band-saw. That would likely be less precise, but better suited to building large stars. Glad this was useful.
pocket83 Yes it would be less precise only because the most bandsaws are not setup for more precise work, like using a fine cutting blade ect. My other thought is to setup a small disc sander. Thanks again for the Great how to do video you made!
You explained the math very concisely and if you didn't cover it, someone would ask how you worked out the angles. I wouldn't be one bit concerned about the thumbs down. There's about a 10:1 ratio, one idiot to 10 non-idiots, so you are bound to get a few. Idiots like clicking that button, it's easier than thinking or writing something constructive.
great vid, 1. what is the distance on your jig of the following= top kerf to edge of board (assumed equal on both sides bottom kerf to 18 degree cut corner length of board that has 18 degree cut on bottom I built a jig and used your math but I missed it somewhere because I now have a jig to make great 6 pointed stars not 5 pointed stars.
pocket83 went back and rechecked all measurment, got it right this time, as to the clamps I put a stop with a small board at the 9.234 point to stop the piece being cut from moving, this way all pieces are cut to the same length and will not slip when being cut. Thanks again for the jig!
I have a tip for anyone making one of these solid wood stars: Don't cut your sections before you're ready to glue them together. I made the sections of a 36" X 1½" star and when laid out, the pieces fit perfectly. Then the pieces sat for several days, and when I went to glue them up, they had warped every which way as they continued to dry.
Good point. These are super-precise cuts, and any moisture/temperature changes can ruin even the best-laid woodworking plans. Also, whenever a board is cut, many of its internal stresses are released, and so it will slowly change as it acclimates to its new shape. For the record, warping is no major issue to an _already glued_ star. The wooden star in this video is now over a decade old, and it's been hanging on a block wall in my basement for the last five. Still looks new.
@@pocket83squared Right. I would think the bigger it is, the more it would warp, BUT, once all pieces are fit together, it would seem that any warpage would only be in flatness, which is a lot easier to deal with. By the way, I plan to take my warped pieces and glue them flat to ten new triangle pieces so as to make the star twice as deep, then bevel both sides on a bandsaw with a tilted table, before gluing the five sections together, using your masking tape ides. Thanks again for that.
Nice! I think the subliminal message in this one was revealed when immediately after I watched it, I did a Google search on why people put stars on their houses.
Masking tape is one simple way. Note that the backside is flat, so taping them there is also an option. You might also consider that wood glue has a several-second tack bond, so it actually _is_ possible to hold them together until they're all set in position. Somewhat surprisingly, precisely fit parts like this are among the easiest things to glue up (thankfully). You'll have enough time to tinker with them, and it's quite clear when they're not correctly aligned. Once you're satisfied, a sand bag can be used to apply a uniform down-pressure.
Just an FYI: Harbor Freight sells an aluminum caliper that is 24 inches long. It measure in fractions of an inch down to 1/128's which is .0078125 of an inch or .198438 of a millimeter.
Nobody seems to have mentioned it, but you did not need to use the law of sines to solve that problem since you have a right angled triangle. The law of sines works on any triangle, but right angled triangles are simpler. With your triangle you have tan A = a / b, therefore b = 1 / tan 18° = 1 / 0.3249 = 3.078 as you found.
I am sure that pocket83 wanted to have his information apply to any triangle (need an angle on a triangle? Ah ha! I can use the law of sines.) and that is why he included this law not narrowed down to right triangles only. Thankfully math provides us more than one way to skin a cat. Your comment contains the same reasoning.
You what thanks for the video very very interesting and helpful-I was looking for information about how to make exactly that star but but - it was very painful for me to remember the number one reason I hate math --a simple cut made my day full of pain . And bad memories
Not that you need to know the angles since he's given the measurements to construct the triangle, but since you asked, for the finished piece - once all the cuts have been made - the angles will be 18, 36, and 126 degrees. It's actually written on his template, but since he has the paper upside down at 3:45 it's kind of hard to read it.
Question: In making this, which is a great solution to a making a star, there seems to be a lot of waste. What I mean is, you have to hold on to something on the sled fence, because the actual piece that is being made is on the "waste" side of the blade. Not an issue if using a 2 x 4, but if you use walnut it becomes a concern. Is there an efficient way of cutting your pieces?
briansullivan63 Sullivan I totally agree. Waste is just a simple fact of using this method. Since I used 2x4, it was little concern, but I would be interested to see an improved procedure. I'll think about it.
+briansullivan63 Sullivan I stumbled onto a solution to the waste. It is hard to describe but if you use the jig to cut off the waste and pay very close attention to its position on the kerf you get a second star from the waste. Now this is making the flat style star, I am not sure it will work with the 3D version.
This is an awesome video. I've been trying to position these side blocks and can't seem to get it right. I know my measurements must be off somewhere. So in the example a= 1 inch and b is equal to 3.078. So then is a= 3 inches then b = 9.234?
Yes. You could also multiply both of those numbers by 2, or 4, or 5, or any other number. It's a ratio, so one side of the triangle just has to remain the same _proportionally_ to the other.* The numbers 1 and 3.078 are a generic solution that can be multiplied to apply to any size blocks for any size sled, and it will always give you the correct angles. The other dimensions on your sled will all have to do with the width of the stock you use, so that will take playing around on your part. I really hope I helped in some way. *Oh, and one more confusing part: you can't _add_ a number to both of those numbers, because it will change the ratio. Preserving a ratio only works with multiplication, and not addition. Think of it this way: a triangle that's 1x2 has the same shape as a triangle that's 2x4. Now add 1 to each of those numbers instead; a 1x2 triangle is NOT the same shape as a 2x3 triangle.
Thanks again. I kinda figured the sled dimensions played a role in this as well. You really helped me thanks. It took you a week to figure this all out might take me a year. LOL.
are theses angles the same no matter the size star you want to make, If i wanted to make a star half the size that you made do i just adjust the size of the pieces? Thank you
Might be just me but it looks like you only need one side. Not both to have the angled blocks. So you could cut the build complexity in half. (???) - Yes, proven in Sketchup. I have added my Sketchup version to the 3D warehouse under the same name as this video. Shared with best intentions. ( I have NOT looked at the 30° slope 3D version as yet. )
Would you be able to have downloadable dimensions of the sand paper you have on your sled? Just like you did on you plant holder video.... Much appreciate your videos....Thanks!
Did you make a similar jig to what I used? If so, the placement of the block on the jig must be incorrect if you are getting 3-points. Also, try making the paper star- it seriously helps the confusion. I totally understand, but don't get frustrated... it took me a week to develop this method. The video makes it look so easy. It isn't. Give me more details if you still need help.
How about how to make a bigger star, like the ones on an Amish barn? Been watching this video many times and still don't know how to start on the bigger version.
Do you have any tips or tricks for making the sled and placing the blocks in the correct place? I understand the math/ratio tutorial, but I am curious how to actually place the blocks so they are perfectly angled and perfect mirrors of each other.
Sure. I stripped this video down a good bit, to prevent it from being too long. The first thing that I would do is make a sled with a single cut in it, so that it is "zero-clearance." I would recommend using a thin-kerf, 7 1/4" saw-blade, so that your cuts are nice and thin to begin with. Next, just measure out your triangles on each side of the saw kerf, using the edge of the kerf itself as the "b" side of each triangle. The blocks are placed along the "c" side, so draw the triangles with a nice, precise pencil-line, and just use short drywall screws to attach the blocks from underneath, so that you can reposition if needed. Spray-adhesive on the blocks will make it easier to make micro-adjustments by reducing sliding around. In order to tell where the blocks end, it just depends upon the thickness of the star stock that you are using, so it may require experimentation. Oh, the sandpaper is just stuck with spray-adhesive. If you need more specific help, just ask. I can always give you dimensions, if needed. Good luck.
I've been watching a playlist of your videos for about 45 minutes, amazing tricks in every one. and there is always something to smile at. Thanks for sharing your workshop and knowledge.
GREAT video and inspiration. I watched it this morning and spent a couple hours today building the sled. After a bit of frustration getting my head wrapped around how to turn each piece for cutting I made 3 flat stars, beveled ones are a project for tomorrow. I used your math to make a CAD drawing of the triangle, printed it out, and transferred it to the sandpaper. Once I cut out the paper I glued it to the sled and used it as a guide for installing the cutting blocks.
THIS IS THE ONLY VIDEO THAT CAN EXPLAIN IN DETAIL IN MAKING 3D WOODEN STARS, THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
This is just beautiful in every respect!
From defining the 3D geometric challenge and analyzing the problem, through your clear exposition of the trigonometric solution, with a simple algebraic cancelation of sines... to the realization with that clever practical jig and using straight-grained wood that accentuates the star's geometry... Superb! There's a wondrous universe inside your Brain buddy!
As a math tutor and a wood working hobbyist, I LOVED this video. Great job showing the math to the side lengths. Pinned this to my favorites!
John Howell why not keep it simple! 3 x Tan (72) = 9.233 easy steps in Roof Carpentry.
I appreciate how you showed the steps to solving the math involved here. I've been driving myself nuts and burning through a lot of wood trying to figure out the correct angles. This will help a ton with my appliqués I use for my rustic furniture. Thanks!
Great. I'm glad it is helpful. This method will serve you well for a star against a flat piece, like on a piece of furniture. Once you figure it out and make the sled, it becomes super easy. Good luck, and let me know if I can help you any further.
Great video. Going to try and make a bigger one with a bandsaw and that jig. Thank you for breaking it down so understandable that a child could follow your instructions. This should be a project in high school wood shops, if they still exist
Back before computer cad , us older tool makers would sit at our benches for hours figuring all our dimensions for making punch and die sections. Someone would walk up and ask a simple question and it was like a punch in the gut tryin to wrap your brain around what you were doing again.
I typically use (and recommend) a 24-tooth 7.25" Freud Diablo for general purpose. I also keep a 40-tooth handy for special purposes. The 24 is usually under $10 and it has nearly the finest kerf I have seen. Home Depot carries it; obviously it is the bright red one.
You are very welcome. I'm happy that you liked it, so thanks for letting me know. This one is one of my favorites.
Thank you for making this video. I love it when someone makes a jig instead of hawking an expensive product most of us would only use once, if we bought it.
this is a great video with showing how many maths is actually involved in making woodworking projects. Thanks for sharing
Mrhangerman Imagine and Inspire The maths is one sum Let’s keep it simple! 3 x Tan (72) = 9.233 that’s from an old roof carpenter
if this guy was a boy scout they would give him a merit badge for multiple reasons. who couldn't appreciate and marvel at this demonstration. ya might have view it more than once since it is loaded with information but unquestionably, a GREAT VIDEO !
I once heard a mathematician say that he became good at it because he was lazy. I kind of agree with that. I don't know all of my times tables, and I am not good at memorizing numbers or angles, but I like to know enough math techniques so that I don't have to memorize. Carrying around the solutions to all of life's problems would be a lot heavier than just carrying around the ability to solve them ;)
This is the best star instruction video i have seen yet, thanks.the math is a little beyond me.
PixelRick The maths is one sum Let’s keep it simple! 3 x Tan (72) = 9.233 that’s from an old roof carpenter
A more than outstanding video! Precise and to the point with a calm approach!
I was pulling my hair on the math. I got it the first time watching this video- I know where I was going wrong.
I've been woodworking for 40 years or more and just now I decided to make 3D stars- go figure.
I found the math to be a very entertaining portion of the information and that part about getting more sure placement of parts by using math, well that is like a ray of sunshine. I will be looking to us that type of thinking in a future project. Thanks for making the sun shine, lol.
Great respect for the materials in every of Ur videos, minimizing wastes. Respect!
I kept trying to think of a way to calculate the cuts by using a miter saw. Your sled eliminates all this. Good job.
Yep, my sister lives there, so I should probably send her one. I really liked the math part, but this is probably my favorite video. Maybe because I had to scratch my head so much to make it. There was a lot of math involved that I didn't include, because I get the feeling that it bores most viewers. Thanks for watching and commenting!
This is absolutely brilliant and thank you for taking the time to figure this out and explain it so eloquently. Will definitely be making this sled.
Great video inspiration! Pretty beautiful work!
Thank you very much for the express class on geometry. We get so busy with everyday tasks that sometimes we forget about these basic things we learned in school. Amazing work! Congratulations!
Your projects make me feel like a kid again. Thanks.
Thanks! I use mathematics a lot. I don't know why so many carpenters have such an aversion to it. It really is just like using a coping saw or a chisel- the more you do it, the better you get, and the more things you can use it for.
pocket83 The maths is one sum Let’s keep it simple! 3 x Tan (72) = 9.233 that’s from an old roof carpenter
I made a couple of stars and they were ok, but not perfect. After watching your video I got some serious info on the technique of the angles needed. Can't wait to make that jig. Thank you very much.
Great. Let me know how it goes.
I appreciate it. It seems that we share some similar interests. I really liked the work that you did with tetrahedrons. Thanks for stopping by ;)
I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Thank you.
On the subject of sizing the stars. A 1" clearance from the blade kerf to the alignment blocks gives a 6 1/8" star. So a 2" clearance gives a 12 1/4" star. And a ~5" clearance would produce a ~30" star. Practicality not withstanding.
Alignment block left > 1" clearance blade Kerf 1" clearance < Alignment block right
Brilliantly explained in this crisp build video. Thanks
I haven’t heard sine for almost 45 years, my math teacher would be proud! Nice job!
Beautiful 2x4's you started from!!! Seemingly straight and Not a knot in sight. The 2x4's at my local store as aee knot riddled twisted cupped and bowed, usually with some visible wane
Thank you for this. Admittedly, I just came for the angles and measurements of your jig. While I did learn your awesome process, I also get the sense that I am LOT less educated than I thought.
All the more reason to watch again and practice it. It becomes easy after awhile, and it makes you a better carpenter... everything in carpentry is triangles. If you do that problem ten times without looking, you will never forget how to do it.
Planning a 12-point star for a clock. This showed me how. I can't thank you enough.
That would be beautiful. I haven't thought of that. Hope it turns out well!
The age old question in math class of, "when will I ever need to use this in real life?" has been answered. Shit... I should have paid more attention!
LOL! Yeah ok - so there's 1. And it's a choice. Should have spent more time on how to invest properly for retirement etc.
Doesnt matter because this video is a better teacher on the math process than any actual math teacher in school.... you can learn ANYTHING online. As long as you have the drive to seek out this knowledge, college is a waste of money
Never too late to learn! I'm 51 and studying GCSE maths in night school. Great fun!
Brandon Kitchens Let’s keep it simple! 3 x Tan (72) = 9.233
Wow you did such a good job with the grain patterns
Deep. I just did 360 degrees divided by 5 = 72. Each finger has two parts so half 72 for 36... Maybe I'm too simple minded. I didn't care about the angle at the point. My only concern for angles was where they joined. Equal length took care of the points. I do like your sled though. Thanks for sharing.
Most excellent thanks, a great way to combine my favorite subjects of woodwork and maths. . Well produced and presented.
Best video available ! Hands down 👍
wowsers -- geometry - it's been soooo long. Who would have guessed how useful it can be.
Thanks so much for your. Response. I'm amazed at your work. All your videos are great. I'm new to wood working and really want to make this star.
You could do that, but why bother with the extra work now that the numbers have been figured out? Also, with something this precise, the thickness of the printed lines or any minor distortion from the printer could be enough to throw it off.
Agreed. A digital protractor is best.
This gives me thoughts on how to make 3D crosses for Christmas presents. Thanks!
I love that you love it. Thanks for continuing to watch.
Most of my audience is American. The numbers are really arbitrary, and it is just a simple conversion. Also, it makes little difference if you are using digital calipers. But I do agree with you, and I often use both systems.
I really enjoyed this video. Not much info on the Web on how to make a 3d star. Much appreciated.
You are certainly welcome. I hope it works out for you!
Donald Toohey
Thanks, MrChris. I am glad that some of us out there enjoy this stuff. I think many will find this one tedious or boring. And sorry I made the message too short (I couldn't get it either).
WOW... You're videos have always been good.. This is a whole new level. Great use of technology and math. It is obvious to the audience that you really know your stuff. Keep up the good work. I check out your videos on a regular basis!!!! Charlie
Great job. Been looking/thinking about wooden stars for a while. Thanks.
I made a small one of those by hand out of a single piece, carved and shaped it with chisels, rasps, files and sandpaper. It's about 2 inches tall when standing on two of the legs.
What's the degree angle at the top of A at 3:43 mark?
Nevermind. It's 72 degrees. Thanks man!
I'm so fascinated with woodworking, trying to teach myself now that I'm retired. This video is very helpful, but I need to brush up on my math. It's been over 40 years since I've used geometry.😂😂😂. Any other tips or resources will be greatly appreciated. TFS
Thank you for uploading this tutorial plus the math lessons. I'll give you a thumbs up for your neat work. My dad would really appreciate this tutorial, being a carpenter and a math Wizard. However, I"ll pass and will go to Homesense to pick up a star to decorate my shelf.
Hi! I'm trying to make this work. But it seems I'm missing the correct angle for the stock piece that enables you to cut the shorter side soft each triangle. What's the angle of that cut for the stock piece (the end grain part) relative to its side? Thanks
I'm sorry, but I really don't understand your comment. Please give me a timestamp from the video or try to clarify which angle it is that you're after. So far, are you using the exact same method that's shown here?
@@pocket83squared I'll try to explain better. It's at 3:12
I don't have a miter saw. So in order to cut that piece of stock that ends up fixed on the sled I set the miter gauge on my table saw to 72 (90-18). But once cut, the shorter cathetus of my triangle ends up being not steep enough and once I start to assemble I can't get a five point star.
Thanks for the video and your answers!
@@mariano_353 Sorry in advance for making something simple seem complicated, but anything will seem easy once you've figured it out!
Is sounds as though you've done everything right. A table-saw's miter gauge _usually_ will read the same way that the numbers on a miter-saw do. The reason for this is that a table-saw's blade is perpendicular to the 0° setting on the miter gauge. 0° is _really_ 90°. It is possible that a gauge will read 90 instead of 0 when set for making a normal, square crosscut. Thus, you should be setting your gauge to either 18° or 72°. One way to look at this is that 18 and 72 are the same angles, viewed different ways.
Looking at the cut piece that's on the sled, if we were to place a protractor on it (with the bottom line kept along the bottom edge), it should read 18/72. If your gauge when set to one of these is still giving you something else, then its markings are likely incorrect. Try to test your angle against a protractor first, just so that we can rule out your gauge's markings.
@@pocket83 thanks for the answer. Don't worry, it's probably me missing something evident. Gonna measure the angles again
@@pocket83squared went back to this today. Sort of nailed it. And I mean sort of because I ended up with a 8° gap once all parts are assembled. So I guess I botched that cut and the error carried over to the whole 360° turn. Gonna make some adjustments
My only question is what angle is the stock cut at prior to all of the compound cuts?
See 6:35.
Great job explaining. Now Joey pay attention and you can do it like this gentleman did!
That was awesome Pocket!!, and now I can make some stars.I loved the way you matched the grain in the wood to make............I don't no like infinite little stars. It felt like that to me anyway.
Thank you, and keep up the great work that you do because people will learn a lot from watching them. I well anyway.Kevin.
How do you take the 9.234 inches and transfer into basic ruler measurements if that makes any since? I know that 9.25 inches would be 9 1/4" so the 9.234 would be a bit smaller but how much exactly? 1/8", 1/16"?
That's a good question. First, look for the difference between the two (difference implies subtraction). 9.25 - 9.234 = 0.016 or 16/1000
Now to the question: How big is that, compared to a sixteenth? Well, 1/16 = 0.0625, so how much is 0.016 _out of_ 0.0625? Out of implies division, so 0.016 / 0.0625 = 0.256, which is about one-quarter, so it takes about four of those little pieces to equal a sixteenth.
I keep a chart hanging on the door, which is for fraction to decimal conversion (it's in increments of sixteenths). When I get a caliper or other digital reading, I look at which two fractions it sits between, and that narrows it down. If it requires a higher tolerance, I look for the next two smaller fractions that it sits between. After practice, you get a "feel," but you can also do it more precisely, with algebra, if you want. Hope this helped.
pocket83 Thanks for the response. Yes I also found a decimal to fraction conversion chart after I asked you my question. From what the chart says, it seems that .234 is equivalent to 15/64 of an inch. Very helpful. Now to find a ruler that breaks it down into 64ths. Thanks again.
Take the decimal part of the number .234 and multiply it by 32 for an approximation of how many 32nds it'd be. Or by whatever precision you can get like 16 or 64.
.234 × 32 = 7.488 so about 7.5/32 on the tape measure. Or multiply by 64. .234×64 = 14.976 so about 15/64 .
There's a sacrifice to doing this if you round too much. Or you could use digital dial calipers that can measure out to decimals for you.
I hope this helps someone
7:10 I use brad nails that are sticking out just a bit 1/16 or 1/32 and sharpen that keeps the wood of moving. A bandsaw with sharp blade for cutting small part works good too. Thanks for the great video, big help.
I agree: this method could easily be adapted to a band-saw. That would likely be less precise, but better suited to building large stars. Glad this was useful.
pocket83 Yes it would be less precise only because the most bandsaws are not setup for more precise work, like using a fine cutting blade ect. My other thought is to setup a small disc sander. Thanks again for the Great how to do video you made!
You explained the math very concisely and if you didn't cover it, someone would ask how you worked out the angles.
I wouldn't be one bit concerned about the thumbs down. There's about a 10:1 ratio, one idiot to 10 non-idiots, so you are bound to get a few. Idiots like clicking that button, it's easier than thinking or writing something constructive.
you are the best ever.
love this project and really love the way you are thinking and doing
thank you very much
Thanks for the math. I like to cut to the "chase scenes" as soon as possible.
How did you determine th angle to create the "angled" stock?
here I am 2 years after your question and pushing a decade on the original video, and I can't work out that angle either.
Hey nice. Something I can do while the cnc machine is running long carving sequences.
Thanks.
great vid, 1. what is the distance on your jig of the following=
top kerf to edge of board (assumed equal on both sides
bottom kerf to 18 degree cut corner
length of board that has 18 degree cut on bottom
I built a jig and used your math but I missed it somewhere because I now have a jig to make great 6 pointed stars not 5 pointed stars.
fiberinspector Side edge: 3" from kerf. Edge along kerf: 9.234".This is discussed at 5:25, let me know if you still don't figure it out.
pocket83 went back and rechecked all measurment, got it right this time, as to the clamps I put a stop with a small board at the 9.234 point to stop the piece being cut from moving, this way all pieces are cut to the same length and will not slip when being cut. Thanks again for the jig!
@@fiberinspector1304 I see this is 3 years old but any chance of a pic showing the "stop with a small board at the 9.234 point"?
@@whoDatBeDare no, but it is just a piece of wood that allows the board to be placed at the same spot every time you make a cut for that Angle.
I have a tip for anyone making one of these solid wood stars: Don't cut your sections before you're ready to glue them together.
I made the sections of a 36" X 1½" star and when laid out, the pieces fit perfectly. Then the pieces sat for several days, and when I went to glue them up, they had warped every which way as they continued to dry.
Good point. These are super-precise cuts, and any moisture/temperature changes can ruin even the best-laid woodworking plans. Also, whenever a board is cut, many of its internal stresses are released, and so it will slowly change as it acclimates to its new shape.
For the record, warping is no major issue to an _already glued_ star. The wooden star in this video is now over a decade old, and it's been hanging on a block wall in my basement for the last five. Still looks new.
@@pocket83squared Right. I would think the bigger it is, the more it would warp, BUT, once all pieces are fit together, it would seem that any warpage would only be in flatness, which is a lot easier to deal with.
By the way, I plan to take my warped pieces and glue them flat to ten new triangle pieces so as to make the star twice as deep, then bevel both sides on a bandsaw with a tilted table, before gluing the five sections together, using your masking tape ides. Thanks again for that.
can this work to make larger stars
I love it. Not too much math. Have you ever been to Texas? State logo is this 3-D Star! Great vid - please keep them up.
Nice!
I think the subliminal message in this one was revealed when immediately after I watched it, I did a Google search on why people put stars on their houses.
How did you clamp the pieces together for the glue up? Surely you didn't stand there for an hour holding them together
Masking tape is one simple way. Note that the backside is flat, so taping them there is also an option.
You might also consider that wood glue has a several-second tack bond, so it actually _is_ possible to hold them together until they're all set in position. Somewhat surprisingly, precisely fit parts like this are among the easiest things to glue up (thankfully). You'll have enough time to tinker with them, and it's quite clear when they're not correctly aligned. Once you're satisfied, a sand bag can be used to apply a uniform down-pressure.
I would like to see if another solids could be constructed from those 5 pieces if joined by different surfaces. Very nice though, thank you.
Just an FYI: Harbor Freight sells an aluminum caliper that is 24 inches long. It measure in fractions of an inch down to 1/128's which is .0078125 of an inch or .198438 of a millimeter.
DUDE!!! you just made yourself even more awesome!!! thanks for that man seriously
Nobody seems to have mentioned it, but you did not need to use the law of sines to solve that problem since you have a right angled triangle. The law of sines works on any triangle, but right angled triangles are simpler. With your triangle you have tan A = a / b, therefore b = 1 / tan 18° = 1 / 0.3249 = 3.078 as you found.
I am sure that pocket83 wanted to have his information apply to any triangle (need an angle on a triangle? Ah ha! I can use the law of sines.) and that is why he included this law not narrowed down to right triangles only. Thankfully math provides us more than one way to skin a cat. Your comment contains the same reasoning.
You what thanks for the video very very interesting and helpful-I was looking for information about how to make exactly that star but but - it was very painful for me to remember the number one reason I hate math --a simple cut made my day full of pain . And bad memories
i loved it and learnt from you math solution fantastic i love it when the penny drops on something!
what are the angles on all three sides???
Not that you need to know the angles since he's given the measurements to construct the triangle, but since you asked, for the finished piece - once all the cuts have been made - the angles will be 18, 36, and 126 degrees. It's actually written on his template, but since he has the paper upside down at 3:45 it's kind of hard to read it.
Question: In making this, which is a great solution to a making a star, there seems to be a lot of waste. What I mean is, you have to hold on to something on the sled fence, because the actual piece that is being made is on the "waste" side of the blade. Not an issue if using a 2 x 4, but if you use walnut it becomes a concern. Is there an efficient way of cutting your pieces?
briansullivan63 Sullivan I totally agree. Waste is just a simple fact of using this method. Since I used 2x4, it was little concern, but I would be interested to see an improved procedure. I'll think about it.
+briansullivan63 Sullivan I stumbled onto a solution to the waste. It is hard to describe but if you use the jig to cut off the waste and pay very close attention to its position on the kerf you get a second star from the waste. Now this is making the flat style star, I am not sure it will work with the 3D version.
You are a star 🌟. More fantastic content from an amazing channel.
you've gone way beyond the layman's terms of wood working 😊😊
Ella Gilbert The maths is one sum Let’s keep it simple! 3 x Tan (72) = 9.233 that’s from an old roof carpenter
WOW. Love it, now to try it. Thanks for the info
This is an awesome video. I've been trying to position these side blocks and can't seem to get it right. I know my measurements must be off somewhere. So in the example a= 1 inch and b is equal to 3.078. So then is a= 3 inches then b = 9.234?
Yes. You could also multiply both of those numbers by 2, or 4, or 5, or any other number. It's a ratio, so one side of the triangle just has to remain the same _proportionally_ to the other.*
The numbers 1 and 3.078 are a generic solution that can be multiplied to apply to any size blocks for any size sled, and it will always give you the correct angles.
The other dimensions on your sled will all have to do with the width of the stock you use, so that will take playing around on your part. I really hope I helped in some way.
*Oh, and one more confusing part: you can't _add_ a number to both of those numbers, because it will change the ratio. Preserving a ratio only works with multiplication, and not addition. Think of it this way: a triangle that's 1x2 has the same shape as a triangle that's 2x4. Now add 1 to each of those numbers instead; a 1x2 triangle is NOT the same shape as a 2x3 triangle.
Thanks again. I kinda figured the sled dimensions played a role in this as well. You really helped me thanks. It took you a week to figure this all out might take me a year. LOL.
are theses angles the same no matter the size star you want to make, If i wanted to make a star half the size that you made do i just adjust the size of the pieces?
Thank you
Yes, that is correct.
place the angled blocks half the distance from the each side of the blade kerf.
So how did you arrive at 0.9511 over0.3090 sine 72 divided by sine 18=4 doesn't it?
Great teaching.. I was nerding out on the math.. Love it
Might be just me but it looks like you only need one side. Not both to have the angled blocks. So you could cut the build complexity in half. (???) - Yes, proven in Sketchup. I have added my Sketchup version to the 3D warehouse under the same name as this video. Shared with best intentions. ( I have NOT looked at the 30° slope 3D version as yet. )
do u not have a template for it
Would you be able to have downloadable dimensions of the sand paper you have on your sled?
Just like you did on you plant holder video....
Much appreciate your videos....Thanks!
I'm a little late to the party but thanks for the vid and clear explanation. Thumbs up and subscribed.
wonderful. the ending with the cuts and music reminds me of Twin Peaks a little :)
Did you make a similar jig to what I used? If so, the placement of the block on the jig must be incorrect if you are getting 3-points. Also, try making the paper star- it seriously helps the confusion. I totally understand, but don't get frustrated... it took me a week to develop this method. The video makes it look so easy. It isn't. Give me more details if you still need help.
You are so amazing. I’m enjoying all your videos . I’m fascinated with wood works and I’m learning loads more from you, keep it up ? Thanks
Thanks. I really appreciate that. Glad you found some of it helpful.
I liked the video a lot! Nicely made video and very good project.
What saw blade did you used? Looks like very think kerf.
Beautiful!! Really nice work.
How about how to make a bigger star, like the ones on an Amish barn?
Been watching this video many times and still don't know how to start on the bigger version.
hi,do you know how make a four point star?
Do you have any tips or tricks for making the sled and placing the blocks in the correct place? I understand the math/ratio tutorial, but I am curious how to actually place the blocks so they are perfectly angled and perfect mirrors of each other.
Sure. I stripped this video down a good bit, to prevent it from being too long.
The first thing that I would do is make a sled with a single cut in it, so that it is "zero-clearance." I would recommend using a thin-kerf, 7 1/4" saw-blade, so that your cuts are nice and thin to begin with. Next, just measure out your triangles on each side of the saw kerf, using the edge of the kerf itself as the "b" side of each triangle. The blocks are placed along the "c" side, so draw the triangles with a nice, precise pencil-line, and just use short drywall screws to attach the blocks from underneath, so that you can reposition if needed. Spray-adhesive on the blocks will make it easier to make micro-adjustments by reducing sliding around. In order to tell where the blocks end, it just depends upon the thickness of the star stock that you are using, so it may require experimentation. Oh, the sandpaper is just stuck with spray-adhesive. If you need more specific help, just ask. I can always give you dimensions, if needed. Good luck.
You have so much skill for this I love you videos
Lose your push stick?
Excelente trabajo..