Cutting 60 Degree Angles ?

bigdog · 08-18-2021, 11:59 AM

I have a small project, where I need to make a small triangle out of 2x4 PT wood. To make the triangle, I need to make 60 degree angles ?

My dilemma is, I don't have a table or mitre saw.
FYI, I need to make the cuts 'on edge', not the flat surface of boards.

I have a skill saw, and hand tools, but that's it. How can I make these cuts ?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated !

Biggd · 08-18-2021, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

I have a small project, where I need to make a small triangle out of 2x4 PT wood. To make the triangle, I need to make 60 degree angles ?

My dilemma is, I don't have a table or mitre saw.
FYI, I need to make the cuts 'on edge', not the flat surface of boards.

I have a skill saw, and hand tools, but that's it. How can I make these cuts ?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated !

You can buy a skill saw angle guide but if you want them precise then you really need a mitre saw.
Even if you cut the wood precise, pressure treated wood will shrink and twist when it dries out. Try to dry out the 2x4's before you build it.

thinkxingu · 08-18-2021, 12:47 PM

I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to do, but it sounds like either a jigsaw or Japanese hand saw could work if you get the lines marked.

Like mentioned ^, a mitre saw can cut most angles with precision.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Descant · 08-18-2021, 02:07 PM

Send a PM to John Mercier. I bet he can help, or do it for you. Bet you have a neighbor who has a table saw or band saw. I think Boulia-Gorrell will do custom work in their shop. They did a custom teak swim platform for me a couple of years ago.

John Mercier · 08-18-2021, 05:53 PM

A PT 2x4 would warp as it dries, but we do have Dewalt miter saw in our shop that we use to do displays.

If it has to be PT, try and talk to Doug Hook at our shop and see if we can layer PT Plywood to achieve the effect you need. The plywood should be more stable.

camp guy · 08-18-2021, 06:32 PM

If you are cutting the 3 1/2" edge of a 2 x 4, then you really do need to use a mitre saw, otherwise you run the risk of the cut not being square with the wood, and therefore any joints will be slanted.

It is a nice offer by John Mercier, too nice to pass up. And, yes, PT 2 x 4 will warp almost before your eyes. I have two PT 6 x 6s as posts holding up a portion of a small deck and they are still "moving" after 14 years!

Descant · 08-18-2021, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

A PT 2x4 would warp as it dries, but we do have Dewalt miter saw in our shop that we use to do displays.

If it has to be PT, try and talk to Doug Hook at our shop and see if we can layer PT Plywood to achieve the effect you need. The plywood should be more stable.

Somehow, I just knew you could help. Bravo Zulu.

John Mercier · 08-18-2021, 08:50 PM

Its more the company than me.
Middleton has always tried hard to help.
We're under a growth strain... no one predicted the current speed of growth in the area.

But we've always been willing to do what we can.

ITD · 08-18-2021, 10:01 PM

A triangle can have any angle you want, you need 3 of them and they just have to add up to 180 degrees.

John Mercier · 08-18-2021, 10:36 PM

The idea is to cut a 2x4 into an equilateral triangle 60-60-60 with each side being roughly the width of the 2x4 (no idea what the length is).

If it is long, they the table saw set to the angle will cut the stick the length and then reset for the opposite side.

If it is short, then a miter saw could do the trick... though the table saw might still be the safest means; hard to say without seeing the piece.

The laminated ply would be more stable as it dries.

SailinAway · 08-20-2021, 12:50 PM

I'm not sure I'm visualizing your project correctly, but see if this would work. My patio has a wood frame around it made of 3 x 4 PT. I had to join the corners at an odd angle because the patio is an irregular shape. I used a jig saw. The blade wasn't long enough to go through the 4", so I made two cuts, one from each side. I drew a line and just eyeballed it, didn't use a jig. It came out OK, maybe required a bit of filing to smooth the cut. This might work if it's some kind of rough job. I think a Japanese handsaw could work also, as suggested, although the blade tends to flex so it might be hard to keep it straight on an angle cut.

08-18-2021, 11:59 AM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,446 Thanks: 340 Thanked 119 Times in 96 Posts	Cutting 60 Degree Angles ? I have a small project, where I need to make a small triangle out of 2x4 PT wood. To make the triangle, I need to make 60 degree angles ? My dilemma is, I don't have a table or mitre saw. FYI, I need to make the cuts 'on edge', not the flat surface of boards. I have a skill saw, and hand tools, but that's it. How can I make these cuts ? Your feedback is greatly appreciated !

08-18-2021, 06:32 PM	#6
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,181 Thanks: 299 Thanked 525 Times in 293 Posts	60 degree angles If you are cutting the 3 1/2" edge of a 2 x 4, then you really do need to use a mitre saw, otherwise you run the risk of the cut not being square with the wood, and therefore any joints will be slanted. It is a nice offer by John Mercier, too nice to pass up. And, yes, PT 2 x 4 will warp almost before your eyes. I have two PT 6 x 6s as posts holding up a portion of a small deck and they are still "moving" after 14 years!

08-18-2021, 12:47 PM	#3
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,221 Thanks: 1,170 Thanked 2,054 Times in 1,275 Posts	I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to do, but it sounds like either a jigsaw or Japanese hand saw could work if you get the lines marked. Like mentioned ^, a mitre saw can cut most angles with precision. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

08-18-2021, 02:07 PM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,345 Thanks: 1,339 Thanked 1,622 Times in 1,054 Posts	Send a PM to John Mercier. I bet he can help, or do it for you. Bet you have a neighbor who has a table saw or band saw. I think Boulia-Gorrell will do custom work in their shop. They did a custom teak swim platform for me a couple of years ago.

08-18-2021, 05:53 PM	#5
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,357 Thanks: 3 Thanked 592 Times in 488 Posts	A PT 2x4 would warp as it dries, but we do have Dewalt miter saw in our shop that we use to do displays. If it has to be PT, try and talk to Doug Hook at our shop and see if we can layer PT Plywood to achieve the effect you need. The plywood should be more stable.

The Following User Says Thank You to camp guy For This Useful Post:
DotRat (08-18-2021)

08-18-2021, 08:50 PM	#8
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,357 Thanks: 3 Thanked 592 Times in 488 Posts	Its more the company than me. Middleton has always tried hard to help. We're under a growth strain... no one predicted the current speed of growth in the area. But we've always been willing to do what we can.

08-18-2021, 10:01 PM	#9
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,925 Thanks: 476 Thanked 691 Times in 387 Posts	A triangle can have any angle you want, you need 3 of them and they just have to add up to 180 degrees.

08-18-2021, 10:36 PM	#10
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,357 Thanks: 3 Thanked 592 Times in 488 Posts	The idea is to cut a 2x4 into an equilateral triangle 60-60-60 with each side being roughly the width of the 2x4 (no idea what the length is). If it is long, they the table saw set to the angle will cut the stick the length and then reset for the opposite side. If it is short, then a miter saw could do the trick... though the table saw might still be the safest means; hard to say without seeing the piece. The laminated ply would be more stable as it dries.

08-20-2021, 12:50 PM	#11
SailinAway Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 991 Thanks: 256 Thanked 280 Times in 169 Posts	I'm not sure I'm visualizing your project correctly, but see if this would work. My patio has a wood frame around it made of 3 x 4 PT. I had to join the corners at an odd angle because the patio is an irregular shape. I used a jig saw. The blade wasn't long enough to go through the 4", so I made two cuts, one from each side. I drew a line and just eyeballed it, didn't use a jig. It came out OK, maybe required a bit of filing to smooth the cut. This might work if it's some kind of rough job. I think a Japanese handsaw could work also, as suggested, although the blade tends to flex so it might be hard to keep it straight on an angle cut.