Basic SketchUp exercise – Designing a handy miter box
Tim Killen creates a beginner-friendly SketchUp model with only two components. Nevertheless, it is surprising how many basic SketchUp skills and tools are practiced in making this simple piece.Here is a very small project with only two components, a base and a miter plate. And there are no shapes, only rectangular geometry and no joints. Nevertheless, it is surprising how many basic SketchUp skills and tools are practiced in making this simple piece.
I’ve attached a video of my SketchUp process to finish the design. I’m somewhat surprised that it required such a long time – 20 minutes from start to end, including a final print of a full-size template. The video has not been edited so it includes errors, fixes, surprises – the normal things that happen in real time.
Some backup information: I have been using this miter box (made more than 30 years ago) frequently over the last couple of weeks. I’m making period style window sashes for my redwood timber frame, and the molded muntins for the glazed windows require many 45° cuts. I’ve used this miter box for many projects and it is especially effective for the odd-angled muntin joints in some period bookcase glass doors. I’m remembering how efficient, accurate, and productive this simple tool can be, without electricity and power tool noise.
Here is a picture of the sash for one of the windows. This is the inside face of the sash where the glass is placed and locked in place with 1/4 by 1/4-in. molded and mitered stops.
And here is the miter box. You can see all the varied (non-45°) angles for previous projects. This tool is simply clamped to the workbench. I use Japanese saws with very thin blades for these cuts.
Tim
KillenWOOD
Comments
Seems like he chooses the difficult way to to accomplish the drawing.
I disagree Jeff. Tim stripped it back to the most basic way. I RARELY use the line tool, but seeing the way Tim used it taught me a thing or two and it's likely a great starting point or someone just opening SketchUp for the first time.
Thanks for this! I'm a software engineer and consider myself on the higher end of the tech savvy scale. I've tried to get the hang of SketchUp, but I just struggle with it. This rather simple example gave me some big hints that make me think I'll give it another try.
Jay, you can let me know via email if you get stuck on a procedure. [email protected]
@Jeff_B, I thought the same. I guess each person has their own workflow. I highly recommend learning/using the keyboard shortcuts to speed up the workflow as well (i.e., 'space' for pointer tool, 'r' for rectangle tool, 't' for tape, 'p' for push/pull tool, etc.).
But great idea on the jig! I actually don't have one of these and plan to make one.
Jim
Ive never gotten the hang of scetchup.
To me this took longer then paper and pen. But its basic place to start.
What would be helpfull is a lesson how to do say a kitchen in sketches from start to finnish. Or really any project.
Somthing simple, like shaker style.
Then more advanced things like queen Ann. But what would be real usefull is scan a drawing or picture and use components from that to create somthing to the scale your looking for.
Even a lazer pointer to touch a place to find area and plot out your desine to fit that space with reference spots for alinement when installing.
This would take out some mistakes you can make with a tape measure, im sure we've all made. Even taking a picture with a smart phone then exporting that into the file to modify. Then simulate its replacement. This would give a grand idea to real life changes after they were made, and a pretty accurate cost estimate.
Wow, I have to say, this is the most difficult way to teach anyone how to use SketchUp. There are a TON of videos that show much simpler ways ways to use SketchUp. Just go to youtube and type in Sketchup. There are hundreds of videos from the Sketchup community that show how to do this in less than 5 minutes. I bought Tim's "Sketchup for woodworkers" PDF Book and even it has LOTS of examples that give you a much better way to use the program. I highly recommend it. Do not let this video discourage you from using sketchup, and by all means buy Tim's book. It will show you how to make a cambrial leg in sketchup and a ton of other things that are useful to a woodworker.
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