Beginner table fustrated


thunder86

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Got pics on here but I'm building about 4 frames like these for a table with shelves.  I used a stop block and miter saw to cut all these pieces exactly the same length and put together with a kreg jig tool.  The frames do not sit flat with each other and I'm completely confused as to why they are the exact same perfect length all the way around.  Is this an issue with the wood being warped?  Before I started I layed all the wood out wider side down and they didn't all meet up together.  I just don't know of this is an issue with me or the wood I'm working with.  They are laying flat in my garage in the pics.  Thank you.

Nevermind it won't let me upload the photos 

 

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Got pics on here but I'm building about 4 frames like these for a table with shelves.  I used a stop block and miter saw to cut all these pieces exactly the same length and put together with a kreg jig tool.  The frames do not sit flat with each other and I'm completely confused as to why they are the exact same perfect length all the way around.  Is this an issue with the wood being warped?  Before I started I layed all the wood out wider side down and they didn't all meet up together.  I just don't know of this is an issue with me or the wood I'm working with.  They are laying flat in my garage in the pics.  Thank you.

Nevermind it won't let me upload the photos 

 

Are you sure all the frames are perfectly square? Did you check the diagonals?

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Never thought to measure diagonally.  But yes they are off and the biggest gap is 2/16 of inch.  As far as measuring across it was all the same though.  Guess I'll have to go through and re cut all my pieces and try again.

I still don't get it though because all my pieces are cut exactly the same length so how can it be off.  Very confusing.

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What you have created is a rhombus not a square. It makes perfect sense what you are saying. Dont measure across as that is a useless measurement. Measure corner to corner. Once that is spot on and you are sure all your parts are exactly the same you will have a square.

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hold a square up to the miter saw blade and fence.  I'll bet it is just a little out.  So when you add up all the joints they become a little out of square.  Don't give up yet.

 

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I think he just cut butt joints. Can you confirm this op? Did you cut angles on the end of your pieces or just square cuts. Seriously don't give up this is basic stuff we are happy to help you with.

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When you are gluing up a square you start by clamping along the sides, then you measure the diagonals. If they are off then you add a diagonal clamp across the diagonal that is "too long". As you tighten the clamp, you will make the diagonal shorter until they match.

You are close - you just missed one step in the process

If the diagonal measurements don't match then you have a parallelogram instead of a rectangle

 

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Got the app to send pics this what I got.  I want to make 4 frames like these only put an extra board in the center and use plywood top amd plywood dividers for the middle.  I was going to practice rabbet joints once I got them together.  Those pieces all measure the same but are not coming out the same after its together.

Ok Thank you that might just do it I would've never thought of that.  Should I be gluing these?  I was just using pocket hole screws.

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Got the app to send pics this what I got.  I want to make 4 frames like these only put an extra board in the center and use plywood top amd plywood dividers for the middle.  I was going to practice rabbet joints once I got them together.  Those pieces all measure the same but are not coming out the same after its together.

Ok Thank you that might just do it I would've never thought of that.  Should I be gluing these?  I was just using pocket hole screws.

Yes use glue. Just do a dry fit first ensuring you can get them square.

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3 hours ago, thunder86 said:

This is too much I don't think woodworking is for me.  Thank you all for the help though.  I'm just going to have to find someone in person to watch do it or find a new hobby.

I think I feel like that every few days. But I can look and see MASSIVE improvement over the last year that I've been doing it. I didn't even understand why I couldn't drive a 3" screw through a 2x4 with my weak 12v 8 year old dewalt drill when I started. My only other tool was a cordless circular saw. When I get discouraged (like.. a few days ago, I feel like I may have to redo my jewelry box base) I just think about how insanely hard it was for me to build some sawhorses on day 1. It really helps to talk and ask questions, not to mention listen to as many woodworking podcasts as you can, and watch as many videos on youtube as you can. 

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911f70a9d0786f6d2789148997cd7b6a.jpg

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When they are even are the measuring tape diagonally I get this.

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Hard to tell in the photo, is there a tiny gap between pieces, or do you mean that one piece shifts against the other? If the matching sides all measured the same length, the the squareness of cut is ever so slightly off.

Don't be discouraged by this. I'd bet most of your exposure to woodworking at this point has been something like construction carpentry. Tolerances in that context are much wider than is required for furniture joinery. I suggest that you visit an office or art supply store, and purchase a drafting triangle. A small one 4" - 6" will do, and they are very precise. Use it to check that your saw blade is perpendicular to the table, and parallel to the fence (if a tablesaw), perpendicular to the fence (if a miter saw). Use your eye to confirm no light shines between the triangle and blade as you measure, and adjust if it does.

Another tip for confirming parts are the same length, use your fingertips to feel for differences with the parts stacked side by side. You can feel a ridge or offset edge much easier than see it.

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