Making a Hexagon?

[Joe Shinall]

I am making a hexagon (six sided shape) raised flower garden out of timbers. I need to know what angle to cut each side at to get the shape. My calculation is hitting 60 degrees but I have a total brain fart right now and I can't think of a formula to double check that. Any ideas?

[Christopher Kanda]

divide 360 degrees by the number of sides and that's the angle.

6 sides = 60

8 sides = 45

12 sides = 30

[Joe Shinall]

Duh!!!!

Thanks Christopher. Long week and it's only Wednesday.... Im trying to make this crazy formula up and its that simple. Much thanks!

[Thomas Knapp]

6 sides in a polygon, sum of angles in a polygon = 360 deg.
360 divide by 6 = 60 deg Miter angle is 1/2 of the angle. 60 deg divide by 2 = 30 deg
Here is a link to the lazy way wood working calculators
http://www.delorie.com/wood/

[Thomas Knapp]

divide 360 degrees by the number of sides and that's the angle.

6 sides = 60

8 sides = 45

12 sides = 30


That is the angle of the outside corners the miter angle is half that.
cut miters at 45 deg and the result is a 90 deg corner. The angles you posted will work for lap joints. I guess it is a matter of what kind of corner joint is wanted.

[Eric DeSilva]

That is the angle of the outside corners the miter angle is half that.
cut miters at 45 deg and the result is a 90 deg corner. The angles you posted will work for lap joints. I guess it is a matter of what kind of corner joint is wanted.

60* should be right to get a hexagon. A hexagon is six equalateral/equiangular triangles. That means a triangle with each corner at 60*. So each piece should be cut at 60*. You may be measuring off vertical, so maybe we are talking past each other, because 60+30 = 90, which is a right angle.(1)

I would agree, however, that if you cut 45* miters, you'll end up with a square, not an 8 sided object.

(1) if you put cut a piece of wood with a miter gauge set at 90* (normal), you end up with a square cut. I'm thinking that if you set the miter gauge at 30* off the base setting of 90*, you will end up with a piece of wood that has a 60* angle. I'm talking about the angle the wood should end up at, not where you set the miter gauge.

[David Helm]

Thomas is absolutely right, but after many years of making outdoor structures, I would not miter the joint. All miters open up outside. Cut them at 60 degrees and do butt joints.

[Joe Shinall]

Sorry, got it all done by the time anyone else replied. I knew if the angle was 60 then I needed to go 30 degrees out to have the right angle. Butted up nice and when i get em coated and mulched I'll post some pics of it. Came out really quick and looks great.

[Thomas Knapp]

Sorry, got it all done by the time anyone else replied. I knew if the angle was 60 then I needed to go 30 degrees out to have the right angle. Butted up nice and when i get em coated and mulched I'll post some pics of it. Came out really quick and looks great.


I'm glad that it worked out for you!

[Thomas Knapp]

Thomas is absolutely right, but after many years of making outdoor structures, I would not miter the joint. All miters open up outside. Cut them at 60 degrees and do butt joints.
Treated lumber isn't usually dry, when it shrinks the heels of the miter open up and look like sh*t. I'm glad you brought that up. I'm so used to miter joints, that didn't come to mind.