Fitting a mitred frame to a ceiling...

BertieUK

I wish to fit a wooden frame that is mitred to my ceiling, it will have to be fitted piece by piece because it measures 7' square of 4"x"2

I will be marking on the ceiling the position of where each joist is, and transferring the marks to the frame for drilling thus giving the position of the final fixing screws.

I was thinking of drilling three holes close to each other, in the centre of each side, then clean out between them to make a grove to be able to adjust the final position to close each mitre together.

Has anyone had the experience of fitting something like this before I would be very grateful for advice into methods of adjusting before final fix.

regards

ic

Is this for a massive mirror?

BertieUK

ic wrote: »

Is this for a massive mirror?

Naughty...I wish... No it is to create a feature in the living room and to help cover cracks.

DirectDebacle

I haven't done what you propose but have cut hundreds of mitres.

First check the accuracy of your frame. Lay it out on a suitable flat surface (floor maybe) check the mitres for fit and that the diagonals are of equal length. Adjust if necessary. Theoretically the frame should go together on the ceiling exactly the same. What will throw it out is if the ceiling is not perfectly flat. By sanding down high spots or packing out/filling low spots you should be able to achieve a very good, if not perfect fit. It will be fiddly and time consuming especially if you are working alone. Of course you may be lucky and it all goes together first time.

Creating adjustment slots is a good idea and can be filled. All depends on how much of a perfectionist you are. It will be on a ceiling and a small amount of filler in the mitres (if necessary) shouldn't be noticeable.

Good luck.

DTDfanBoy

Providing you can cut lengths precisely use the Pythagorean Theorem

Fix the first length where you want it, if your lengths are exactly 7ft use a string to measure 213.36cm roughly square to each corner, mark a small arc, then repeat from the other end of fixed timber

Next step from each corner run the string out diagonally 301.74cm, mark where the string intersects the arc already marked, double check by measuring between the two intersecting points you have marked, the distance should be 213.36cm. If it is you now know precisely where each corner of a perfect square is :T

Fix other boards in place in any order, if anything is out of wack you have either mismeasurered or miscut something :cool:

BertieUK

DirectDebacle thanks' for your input.


The wood type is called Sapele which is fine grained, I have checked the mitres and they appear to be ok also the pieces are all the same.


I am working alone which is making me look for ideas in fixing it together and obtaining the best finish that I can achieve but ant imperfections can be dealt with filler as you say.


DTDfanBoy thanks' for your input.


Your plan to obtain accuracy is very impressive and has helped a great deal thanks'


regards to all.

ValHaller

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

Providing you can cut lengths precisely use the Pythagorean Theorem

Fix the first length where you want it, if your lengths are exactly 7ft use a string to measure 213.36cm roughly square to each corner, mark a small arc, then repeat from the other end of fixed timber

Obviously you have moved on from the debate about the merits of Assyrian cubits vs Mesopotamian cubits.

BertieUK

ValHaller wrote: »

Obviously you have moved on from the debate about the merits of Assyrian cubits vs Mesopotamian cubits.

VanHaller Thanks' for your input.


If only I knew what that was all about...

tony6403

You could use "deadmen" - simple T shaped props made from anything long enough to hold the pieces in place before you fix.