How to cut non-square shelves

[naubur]

I am putting some shelves in a closet. Unfortunately niether side is square to the back (both >90 degrees - something like this from the top: \___/) and changes from shelf to shelf. ie bottom shelf has a 93 degree side, next one up has 94.5 degrees. I made a template for one hoping it would be good enough for the others but the gap was too great. I want them to fit snug, but don't know the best way to go about it.

My first attempt will be to measure as best I can and draw the line on the shelf then cut away, or trace the actual angle on some paper and use it as a guide for the shelf.

Any advice would be appreciated.


Thanks,

j

[ejs1097]

You could scribe the angles to 1/4" sheet good, cut it out and see how you did (and adjust). Then make a full scale template out of more 1/4" sheet good and use to cut the real shelves.

The 1/4' sheet good would be rigid enough to hold in place for scribing and testing. If you have shelf brakets already installed you could rest the 1/4" material on the shelf supports.

[ragswl4]

T-Bevel Gauge

A sliding T-Bevel gauge is very useful for transfering angles to work pieces. You might have some success using one of these tools for the off-90 degree angles.

[Tom Miller]

Take two pieces of template material (cardboard, hardboard, etc.), each about 2/3 to 3/4 the width of the shelf, and scribe each side. Then, with the two pieces in place where you want your shelf, tack the two pieces together. This is your shelf template, like so:







Regards,
Tom

[naubur]

The full templates are a good idea but I think that with 5 shelves ~11x26" it would be a tremendous amount of waste. Would blow my budget for this project! All 5 shelves are slightly different!

I think the template idea would fit the bill!

Unfortunately I have no sliding t-square. I promised no more 'I need this tool..' for each little project. Maybe for my b-day though.


Thanks for the good ideas!

j

[ejs1097]

8" T-Bevel

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...bCategoryName=

$4.99

When I built a floor for a boat, we first tried 'partial' templates and they were still not a good enough fit. We then build a full size to ensure we wouldn't waste the wood. Cardboard should work, you could try a furniture store and get a whole bunch of big boxes.

[LCHIEN]

A T_bevel is inexpensive and in this case very worthwhile.
I'd personally measure one angle, mark the board,
then measure the front and back width, mark them off, then measure the other angle and fit to the board and make sure it made sense (e.g. everything meets at all four corners). Then you could cut it.

[naubur]

Wow, a cheap tool. Unheard of! OK, I think I can manage that - seems like the perfect solution.

Must resist - http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,43513,43553


Thanks,

j

[Black wallnut]

Unfortunately I have no sliding t-square. I promised no more 'I need this tool..' for each little project. Maybe for my b-day though.
j

Check at your local hadware store, you should be able to find one for under $10! You could also make one that would work good enough with just a 1/4" bolt and wingnut and two 6" pieces of straight narrow scrap. Put the bolt and wing nut attaching close to one end, round off the corners of one of the pieces so it will piviot freely and wa'la' a shop built tool.

Here is a top shelf unit for less than $16.