obtuse angle / obtuse me...

I'm building a fence that will have a couple of non-90 degree angles (130-150 - haven't done the final exact measuring.) I've done a couple of fences before - but all square corners. What is the "quick & easy" trick to doing these type of angles? I'm guessing you add some type of triangular prism to the side of the 4x4 post (90 + triangle = what angle I need) - but that seems to lead to some tricky table saw cutting. Anyone have a method they could explain (and probably show so I can figure this out.

Thanks

 

You will need to work with the supplement to the angles.(The supplement is 180 deg. minus the angle. Example: the supplement of 130 deg. is 50 deg.) Once you get the supplemt to the angle, divide by 2. Set the angle you get when you divide by 2 on your table saw or mitre saw to cut the two adjoinng pieces. Good luck with your project.

 

No pro, but what if you use an angle ruler?

 

DIY, you've got me. What is an angle ruler? I may need one for my tool bag!

 

Maybe I just made that up, but I don't know the right word for it. LOL! Isn't there an angle tool out here? I'm not very good at describing it but I'll do my best...

It's like a ruler (or 2) attached to each other and it's adjustable. You move the hinge (?) to the angle you need.

ARGH! I can't describe it. It was shown to me once and I thought it was the coolest thing.

I'm not good with math...actually, I dislike it very much so I thought this would be the simplest thing when trying to do things like this. Skip the math!

Maybe I'm thinking of something else...

 

Like a protractor (I teach elementary school math - I have lots of practice measuring angles with those little plastic semi-circles - and have a bigger one to measure the fence posts

I can get the angle - just wasn't sure what to do once I got the angle I was hoping not to have to cut the entire 4x4x10' post...wondering if I could maybe "add" to it or do it some other way. I not I'll find a friend with a table saw and rip the whole post(s)...any other ideas?

 

I haven't worked on a lot of fences, but one way to do it would be to just use 2 fence posts where the fence has an odd angle that is not 90 degrees. Each post would face a different direction, and you'd have a gap between them.

Otherwise, you would just need to rip the angle off of one corner of the post, leaving square corners on the other 3 out of 4 corners.

 

DIYaddict – it's called an ANGLE GAUGE. It has a wooden body, a steel blade, and a thumb screw.

adilhoxha – explain why Wirepuller38's advice doesn't apply. What is so different?.

0 to 45 degrees will bisect in any quadrant (angle of 0 to 360 degrees). If the increased length of the “hypotenuse” creates an 'unsightly” tail: haunch it (cut it off flush with the flat face – simple), scab wood wedge shaped piece onto the flat face – simple.

 

I was thinking you wanted to use stringers attached to posts for supporting vertical planks. If so, cutting the ends of the stringers at an angle to fit the post and using metal brackets for attaching the stringers to the post seems like a reasonable solution. I will try to come up with some diagrams of what I am talking about.

Stretching a string from post to post will aid in measuring the angles.

Thanks, 2000 for the info on the angle gauge. I need to look for one of those at the tool store.

 

If you're looking for one, alternate names: T-bevel , Bevel gauge.
A simple tool for finding & or fixing angles, and bisecting angles (miter work).

 

It isn't that it wouldn't work - I just didn't know if there was a way without table saw and not having to do the whole side of the post. If that is pretty much the school of thought on the matter I'll give it a try - just didn't know if there was any other means of doing it.

 

A diagram is on Photobucket at the address below:

http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb137/KStout7121/?action=view&current=Post_top.jpg

This is a top view. The red marks are the screws or nails. Hope this helps.

 

Yes it does - thank you - guess I need pictures to get it

Thanks - that is very do-able.

 

The one question not asked, was what style fence was he putting up. If it was the standard stringer with dog eared picketts, then I would think that the 2 post suggestion would work best from a structural point of view.

If it was a custom fence inlayed to the posts, then the mitered point of view would be appropriate.

Each design requires its own unique solution.