3x4x5 method????

[aurelio alarcon]

Ok, you all already know that I am new to woodworking, so let me in on what exactly is the 3x4x5 method when squaring up plywood?

[Eddie Severt]

Measure up one side very accurately 3 inches or feet (the longer measure is more accurate) ,measure up the other side very accurately 4, then measure diagonally between the marks. If it measures 5 exactly, your piece is square (you are measuring the long side of a triangle).
Hope this is clear, it's too early for much geometry.
Eddie

[Christian Aufreiter]

Ok, you all already know that I am new to woodworking, so let me in on what exactly is the 3x4x5 method when squaring up plywood?

This method uses the so-called Pythagoras c² = a² + b²

http://www.didmath.ewf.uni-erlangen.de/Verschie/Gut_Ref/Pythago/Images/beweis.gif

So if you have a rectangular piece of ply, one side is 3", the other is 4", the diagonal has to be 5".

Hope this helps,

Christian

[Rob Glynn]

You can also use the 2, 3 and 3.6055512754639892931192212674705 method, but for some reason it is not so popular.

[Todd Burch]

Rob - that was funny!

[Tyler Howell]

Rob,

LMAO

[Jason Roehl]

6, 8, 10 and 5, 12, 13 are also usable options.

[aurelio alarcon]

Thanks guys. I think I remember Norm doing this.

[Dennis Peacock]

Hope this helps,

Christian

Hey Christian.....I didn't realize you were in Austria until this morning. :)

I have been to Austria several year ago...been through Insbrook (spelling?).....really pretty place.

[Dennis Peacock]

You can also use the 2, 3 and 3.6055512754639892931192212674705 method, but for some reason it is not so popular.

Hey Rob....I think you were off one digit..? :D

[Christian Aufreiter]

Hey Christian.....I didn't realize you were in Austria until this morning. :)

I have been to Austria several year ago...been through Insbrook (spelling?).....really pretty place.

Hi Dennis,

what did you do in Austria, did you visit it for a special reason?
As you mentioned Innsbruck ("Inn" is a river), did you stop at the Felder company?
You probably remember the "Goldene Dachl" (Golden Roof), Innsbruck's landmark.
I live in a small village located near Linz, Upperaustria.

Regards,

Christian

[Mark Rios]

Jason mentioned some variations but you can double or halve the 3--4--5 measurements and they will all work. For example, 1-1/2--2--2-1/2 or 3/4--1--1-1/4 or going the other way 6--8--10 or 12--16--20 etc. These measurements can be acres, hectares, furlongs, rods, chains, yards, feet, inches, cubits, paint cans, coffee cups, any units of measure that you care to use as long as they stay the same. On larger scales your measurements can probably be off a smidge and you can get away with it like on floors or patios and such. For smaller areas, under 1.5--2--2.5 let's say, your measurements need to be getting more and more critical the smaller you go. I don't believe that I can see that small a difference, an accurate 1/16" is probably my limit, so I use a known good (perfect 90 degrees) square for anything the size of a framing square or smaller. Just my two cents. Hope it helps.

[Jamie Buxton]

Jason mentioned some variations but you can double or halve the 3--4--5 measurements and they will all work. For example, 1-1/2--2--2-1/2 or 3/4--1--1-1/4 or going the other way 6--8--10 or 12--16--20 etc. These measurements can be acres, hectares, furlongs, rods, chains, yards, feet, inches, cubits, paint cans, coffee cups, any units of measure that you care to use as long as they stay the same. On larger scales your measurements can probably be off a smidge and you can get away with it like on floors or patios and such. For smaller areas, under 1.5--2--2.5 let's say, your measurements need to be getting more and more critical the smaller you go. I don't believe that I can see that small a difference, an accurate 1/16" is probably my limit, so I use a known good (perfect 90 degrees) square for anything the size of a framing square or smaller. Just my two cents. Hope it helps.

Mark --
You're pretty much right, except that the unit of measure needs to be a distance measurement. Furlongs, rods, chains, yards, feet, inches, and cubits work just fine. Acres and hectares do not. They are area measures.
Jamie

[Todd Burch]

Nobody mentioned links. What about links? I hate it when people forget about links. Sheeezz.

:)


And since tomorrow is Sunday - what about cubits???

[Lawrence See]

Todd, my Pocket REF lists 12 different cubits - this could get messy!

Cheers, Larry


Nobody mentioned links. What about links? I hate it when people forget about links. Sheeezz.

:)


And since tomorrow is Sunday - what about cubits???

[Mark Rios]

Mark --
You're pretty much right, except that the unit of measure needs to be a distance measurement. Furlongs, rods, chains, yards, feet, inches, and cubits work just fine. Acres and hectares do not. They are area measures.
Jamie


You are right, of course. I stand humbly corrected. I just get sooooo carried away sometimes. :D

And Todd....I did mention cubits. Right between inches and paint cans. Please read more carefully next time. Gosh, what's a guy supposed to do around here, write a letter? :D :p :D :p :D

Oh yeah. Sorry I forgot links. I love golf. ;)

[Todd Burch]

You are right Mark - Oops. My first mistake. NOT