Creating balister need woodworker help
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I am trying to create a balister. I have the center or turned part just fine, but the square bottom and top parts I just can't get. If someone who might have the experience on the workings of a lathe I sure could use some advice. I would like someone to tell, or show me how to accomplish this. I am enclosing a drawing from sketchup 5 The number 1 part is not what I want, but it is all I can do. The number 2 part is what I am trying to do. I need the corners cut off, but at a convex curve to follow my arcs. A lathe turner will understand. I don't really know how to ask what I am after, so a picture is worth a thousand words. I hope I load it correctly. Thanks
Ray -
Here's one way. There's probably a quick, clever way to do it, but this is just hand stitching. Even so, it doesn't take long.
Methods I used: copy the arc, scale the arc, draw in the lines. Used end-point inference for everything.
Smooth out the lines, and then copy around 90 deg. 3 times.
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woodtogo,
Hopefully, the notes in the attached model are sufficiently explanatory.
Your woodworking 'lathe' reference was the clue needed for the rotation 'cutter' technique.
Regards,
Taff
SketchUp 6.0.515(free) / Windows XP
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Taff,
Thanks, but I cannot open the file you sent I have su5. Can you convert it for me to su 5? Thanks.
Ray -
Jim,
I can't open your file since it is created in su6. I am using su 5. Is there a way you can convert it to su 5? Thank-YouRay
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Ok, version 6 file replaced with v5.
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Jean, need version 5 cannot open your drawing.
Taff, working on your idea, although I have 3 hours on this and cannot seem to get to first base. Can't rotate any of the lines I create. I am using green rotate tool and it pulls everything, face and all. I am new at this and I think I may never get what I want here. Although you did just what I wanted, beautiful job. Amazing when you know what you are doing.
Jim,
I am trying but I haven't got a clue what it is you are doing. Wish I did. All I have is the tutorials to learn by and this stitching is way over my head, I am trying and hoping one of you guys drawings will enlighten me.Ray
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Ray, here is Jean's in V5
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@woodtogo said:
I am using green rotate tool and it pulls everything, face and all.
You're using the correct tool (Rotate,) but you need to toggle the 'copy' mode by tapping the <ctrl> key. Description in the Users Guide:
Regards,
Taff -
If you have version 5, the upgrade to 6 is free. If you upgrade you can use some of the new ruby scripts like:skin.rb to stitch things up for you.
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You might actually find this version a little faster. It is using the Sandbox Tools to create the desired surface. BTW, you either have the blue axis in the wrong direction or you are intentionally lying the balustraude down on the ground as you build this. It really could be created vertically as it is in my example.
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Ha!
Just about everyone had to edit or amend their post to provide a version 5 model (including me.) I guess that demonstrates an advantage provided by the 3D Warehouse. Any version 6 model gets a version 5 model, added automatically to the download options:
Regards,
Taff -
@sorgesu said:
If you have version 5, the upgrade to 6 is free. If you upgrade you can use some of the new ruby scripts like:skin.rb to stitch things up for you.
Thank-You Susan, your method looks easy to me, but being a newbe, I don't think I have a sandbox tool, at least on my version 5. I have looked and can't seem to find it, unless it is hiding somewhere. The help file does not tell me where to get the sandbox tool.
Ray
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Ray,
If you use the free version (?), you won't have the sandbox tool in SU5 just in SU6.
If you have the pro version, first you need to activate it at Window > Preferences > Extensions and then put the toolbar to your window from View > Toolbars.
In either case however I'd take Susans advice and upgrade to v.6.
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Gai,
Ok found it never knew I had it thanks.
What a lot to learn.....Ray
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Susan,
Thank-You your tutorial was by far the easiest for me to do and follow. I only wish I knew what it was that I was doing. I will try to find all the tutorials on sandbox now and study them to see what else I can do with this tool. I will also work on all the other replys I got and study all the methods used to accomplish this drawing. I only wish I could understand the theory behind what it is I am doing. Taff had the most logical explanation to me, in that a chisel was turning around the stock, and that I can relate to. I feel like a monkey just copying all you guys directions and not knowing what is actually taking place here. But I thank you all for all your help and I have learned that there is more than one way to do what you need to do. Its like learning windows, there are many ways to accomplish the same thing. Everyone was a great help to me Glad to be in touch with such a great bunch of people.Ray
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@sorgesu said:
You might actually find this version a little faster. It is using the Sandbox Tools to create the desired surface. BTW, you either have the blue axis in the wrong direction or you are intentionally lying the balustraude down on the ground as you build this. It really could be created vertically as it is in my example.
Susan,
After studing you tutorial, I realized that my spindle is 1 1/4" dia and does not quite fit the 2" dia on my turned base. It just doesn't look quite right, so I have enclosed a copy of my version of the fix I made. I use the technique I learned from you and replaced the 2" circle on the top to 1 1/4" circle raised it 1/4" above the base then followed you advise and used the wonderful sandbox tool, (from contours), and bingo a great looking base for my balisters. Again thanks. -
Looks Fabulous to me! I'm glad to be of some use
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