Any better methods to do this.

[savethebeer]

I came across the photo below yesterday, (the photo within the photo) of the wooden educational toy, and I thought it would be great for my Grandaughter [in about 2 years time]. I still have my 'solid Pine' drawer fronts which are actually 98% pressed wood so that's what I made it out of. When I get it right I will use real wood  but I'm not too happy with the result below.

It consists of 5 rotating rings and 1 fixed ring. with 10 flat surfaces on each ring to show the numbers. I did not have a pattern, nor a drill bit the size of the dowel, nor a  programme to print off the design, nor an idea of how to change dimensions from a screen to an actual piece of wood. I used pen, paper, ruler, plastic shape stencils and a brand new compass [a whole €4]. Only thing I did not use was a sextant, but that's only because I don't own a sextant.

My problems were how to cut even sized flat surfaces on each ring, then how to get the centre hole for the dowel rod to sit in the exact centre of each ring 

The ring sizes were no problem courtesy of my new compass. Problem # 1 arose trying to get the centre cut exactly in the centre of each ring and # 2 was how get the 10 flat surfaces exactly the same on all 6 rings. I cut the first 2 flat surfaces on the scroll saw as I was cutting the 1st ring, then figured it might be easier to slice flat pieces with my band saw. Then I actually used my belt sander to flatten every other flat surface.

My next version will be done only after I've made up a pattern.

A related problem is the issue of my mask and my glasses. While I was using the sander the last few days I found dust blowing  between the mask and the glasses at the bridge of my nose. I was getting dust straight into my eyes. I had to adjust both several times to get it right. This didn't happen previously so perhaps, just perhaps, I might have possibly put on a bit of weight.

Edited January 6, 2019 by savethebeer

[OCtoolguy]

Your pictures didn't make it. Try them again.

 

[ike]

no picture here either

ike

[spirithorse]

Hi, Bob,

No pics here either but, I hope I can help.
Here are two very good examples to find the exact center of your circle.

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-find-the-center-of-a-circle/
https://makezine.com/projects/skill-builder-finding-the-center/

Now that you have the exact center, use any of the lines that are on the edge of your circle and,
using a protractor, use one of the intersecting lines you have already drawn on your circle as
your starting point and mark off 36 degrees from that point (because you want 10 straight edges in a 360 degree circle).
Then, just mark 36 degrees from your new point. Do this all the way around the circle and then join the dots from the
36 degree marks to cut off your straight edges.
Here is a description describing the same actions above but, perhaps easier to understand than I could describe it.
https://sciencing.com/degrees-circle-7839371.html

Good luck and God Bless! Spirithorse

[rjweb]

Sorry no pictures, RJ 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Center of a cirle why not make a dot put the point of compass on it and draw the circle to whatever size you want. Without photos that is alot of reading and not being able to follow. Do not know your woodworking skils and tools either sothis will be tough. 

[savethebeer]

Sorry Folks. I had sent my photos to my Yahoo account and then just copied and pasted into my post. I think I've sorted it now.

Bob

[JimErn]

Hope this helps

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Well the photos are up and to me exactness is not a priority for a project like this. But again not knowing your tool range and your abilities it is hard to suggest the best way to do this. So I will say this to keep the shape all the same it would be best to make a a whole unit and then slice  the layers off using a bandsaw.. Jim gave you a good pattern. You drill the hole through the entire piece at once. If you had a drum sander you can take the pieces and tape to a carrier board and sand them all flat together. Flip over and do other side. 

Or start out with a flat board and individually cut the pattern Jim provided for each layer and drill using a brad point bit dead center on pattern. 

 

[Sam777]

21 hours ago, savethebeer said:

I came across the photo below yesterday, (the photo within the photo) of the wooden educational toy, and I thought it would be great for my Grandaughter [in about 2 years time]. I still have my 'solid Pine' drawer fronts which are actually 98% pressed wood so that's what I made it out of. When I get it right I will use real wood  but I'm not too happy with the result below.

It consists of 5 rotating rings and 1 fixed ring. with 10 flat surfaces on each ring to show the numbers. I did not have a pattern, nor a drill bit the size of the dowel, nor a  programme to print off the design, nor an idea of how to change dimensions from a screen to an actual piece of wood. I used pen, paper, ruler, plastic shape stencils and a brand new compass [a whole €4]. Only thing I did not use was a sextant, but that's only because I don't own a sextant.

My problems were how to cut even sized flat surfaces on each ring, then how to get the centre hole for the dowel rod to sit in the exact centre of each ring 

The ring sizes were no problem courtesy of my new compass. Problem # 1 arose trying to get the centre cut exactly in the centre of each ring and # 2 was how get the 10 flat surfaces exactly the same on all 6 rings. I cut the first 2 flat surfaces on the scroll saw as I was cutting the 1st ring, then figured it might be easier to slice flat pieces with my band saw. Then I actually used my belt sander to flatten every other flat surface.

My next version will be done only after I've made up a pattern.

A related problem is the issue of my mask and my glasses. While I was using the sander the last few days I found dust blowing  between the mask and the glasses at the bridge of my nose. I was getting dust straight into my eyes. I had to adjust both several times to get it right. This didn't happen previously so perhaps, just perhaps, I might have possibly put on a bit of weight.

Bob, nice job you did with what resources you have. Next time you or any member of this forum needs help with any geometrical pattern call on me and I will do my best to help. I have CAD programs and the know how to design simple and complex shapes.

This community has been a great wealth of information to all of us.

I have not been participating much due to my full time job.

Sam

[WayneMahler]

Nice looking project. I think the pattern that Jim posted would be great and drilling with a brad point bit should do the trick. Would enjoy seeing the final results. 

[Bill WIlson]

As mentioned, there are any number of ways one could do this, depending on skills & tools.  If you are working just with simple tools, I would cut 6 squares (as close to the same as possible) to fit the dimensions of the pattern Jim posted above.  Next I would mark the center, (draw diagonal lines connecting opposite corners and where they intersect is the center).  Drill the necessary sized hole in each piece.   You could even use the first piece as a pattern to mark the center hole on the rest.  Then apply the pattern to one of the square blanks, lining up 2 parallel edges with the edges of the blank.  Using the scroll saw, cut the other straight edges, staying slightly outside the lines.  Once all are cut, put a dowel rod through all 6 pieces and rotate each piece to line up the edges.  Sand them all even with each other and then rotate each piece and sand each face, until all are flush, using the dowel rod to keep them aligned.

[Roberta Moreton]

Stack and drill the holes to the exact size. Stack the first two then using the top one again, stack one or two more, drill, repeat. Anyway, that’s how I would do it.

Edited January 8, 2019 by Roberta Moreton