I am now working on the beam frame with the recess for a hatch. It might be interesting what I use to get a flat right-angle base. I like to show it and who knows it might help someone.
I use this metal 'corner clamp' for that:
View attachment 264119
Normally you use it to clamp right-angled connections:
View attachment 264120
2x90 degrees or 2x45 degrees.
I first make the 4 noses of the short beams and the 4 recesses in the long beams to size so that they fit neatly. I do that partly with the router and to stay straight and flat and I finish the corners in particular with the pointed scalpel. So that I get sharp right angles.
Then I clamp it first as a test in the 'corner clamp' to see if everything fits.
Then the four joints in the glue and in the clamp with a starting pressure:
View attachment 264121
With the following actions:
-I press the 4 corners flat on the metal (white arrows) so that the connections are pressed flat on and into each other;
-I check whether they are perpendicular to the longitudinal recess along the spindle (blue arrows). This can be done by tilting the shadows or the clamp in different directions. If it is off the hook, then some gentle taps against one of the ends to get it square;
- some extra pressure to squeeze the connections together;
-measure the distance between both ends as a last check (yellow arrows).
The result gives, if the preliminary work is done well, 4 nice connections:
View attachment 264122
Of course you can still check it on the lines of your cutting mat or other angled items (such as Lego blocks).
Then this is a good basis for customizing the other crossbars.
Regards, Peter
