Good morning guys/ladies, I was wondering if anyone could share a set of plans for a 3-4' outdoor lighthouse? I have many paid links and the dreaded 16,000 plans ones but was hoping for a decent free set. Thank you for any help. Pat

 

I'd pick one I really like and reverse engineer it into a blueprint...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lighthouses_in_the_United_States

 

 

Stick I appreciate the reply but my biggest problem isn't coming up with the design but the cut angles and settings for my table saw to cut them. 

33 minutes ago, Pat Meeuwissen said:

Stick I appreciate the reply but my biggest problem isn't coming up with the design but the cut angles and settings for my table saw to cut them. 

 

we can help w/ that...

consider it a learn how to...

Just now, Stick486 said:

 

we can help w/ that...

consider it a learn how to...

That would be great, how do you suggest we go forward?

2 minutes ago, Pat Meeuwissen said:

That would be great, how do you suggest we go forward?

 

how's your drafting equipment and skills???

got one of these ??? (taper jig)

there are plans for them from simple basic to fairly complex...

what ever design you pick.. simple is easy.. complex gets to be - well, complex..

 

     

If you have MS Excel, here is a spreadsheet that will calculate the miter and bevel angles.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&ved=0ahUKEwjy_9qRx_fVAhXMRyYKHV4mAnEQFghEMAY&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popularwoodworking.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fcalc.xls&usg=AFQjCNG85Y6O6J0HLJZxBer5dldhC7aQeQ

 

Or

http://jansson.us/jcompound.html

37 minutes ago, Pat Meeuwissen said:

That would be great, how do you suggest we go forward?

 

should have said - pick a design 1st...

I do have the rockler taper jig, the picture I shared above would be a great place to start.

what's the size of the one shown...

pick some dimensions...

Edited August 27, 20178 yr by Stick486

about 3' tall and probably about 14" at the base.

Very basic drafting tools compass, rulers, squares. Have not done any drafting work.

layout your octagons...

suggest 16'' at the base and 10~12'' at the top of the body...

much is gonna be in the eye of the beholder...

start a full scale drawing on plain paper...

 

outside measures.. (all arbitrary)

16'' base...

14¾'' column wrap...14'' column bottom...
Octagon layout calculator

Edited August 27, 20178 yr by Stick486

1 minute ago, Pat Meeuwissen said:

Have not done any drafting work.

 

it will be all very basic ...

Ok did that in the calculator

 

now do the top of the column...

 

now you have you basic measures...

put them to paper to work out the aesthetics to your happiness...

another calculator to plug stuff into...

think of the sides/panels of the column as staves...

 

Andy's Stave Bucket Calculator.ods

Edited August 27, 20178 yr by Stick486

There is some good information in this post, thanks to Keith and Stick, just have to figure out how to save it, it all comes up in "read Only" format.

Herb

Herb,

You may need to "Bookmark" the site in your favorites instead of downloading.

What you could do is start with say 1'X4' pieces and find the center on each end and drill a hole the size of a nail to use as a locator pin.  Measure half the width of the top dimension and half the width of the bottom dimension and drill holes in a carrier board to locate the blanks.  Since you will need to flip the piece over to cut the other side (small side away from you for first cut---small side close to you for second cut)  both locating holes will have to be drilled on both ends of the carrier board.  Accuracy is key here so drilling jigs should be made and used.  Cut at proper angle according to the number of segments used.