On Friday afternoon the homeowner comes walking on the job carrying a Statue of Mary. ” I have looked and looked, and can’t find a wall niche the size that I want. Can you just build one please?”
I said that I could and we went over dimensions that she wanted. Now I am busy figuring out how. Someone on here has a tag line that told me that was the right thing to do.
Here are the details.
44″ tall for framing height. 18″ overall depth, first 8″ is square return with the other 10″ being elliptical. 28″ wide for framing width. The top is half round.
Here is what I have done.
Built a matching top and bottom piece that was 48″ in between. Studded every 4 inches around the patterns. Put a half round front on with a 14″ radius. Made the return depth with the same pattern I made the front.
In the center at the top I put a perpendicular piece in that was 10″ deep and 14″ tall, tried to make an ellipse on that, no luck. Tried to make a radius on that, no luck. Kind of made a piece work, but I don’t think it is right. I need more pieces to make the arch-dome effect I am looking for.
I don’t want to waste a full day figuring out that I missed something simple, any suggestions?
Attached picture is what I am trying to do. Tried using “paint” to sketch what I have done but no luck, I am not that savvy.
Thanks in advance,
Jeremy
The bad news is you’ve done exactly the right things to be exactly where you are today. “IdahoDon 1/31/07”
Replies
The top studs should be perpindicular to the horizontal eliptical plates you already have cut. Start with the the king common then fill in subtracting thickness for the remaining ones.
If I am thinking right you have two plates cut then studs in between. If so these top studs will be perp. to the plates and parrallel to the studs in between the plates.
Like a chandalier dome.
When people don't know what you're about,
They put you down and shut you out.
You lost me there buddy.
I used ply for top and bottom. Studs between that. Play for the face arch and one parallel to that 8" away. After that is where I am lost, I know what to do, but the only way I know to lay out an ellipse isn't working are these arches I am looking for?
The bad news is you've done exactly the right things to be exactly where you are today.
"IdahoDon 1/31/07"
Need a bump here.
Someone, help a brother out.The bad news is you've done exactly the right things to be exactly where you are today.
"IdahoDon 1/31/07"
View Image
This is a picture from Alrightythen, in the barrel vault thread we dicussed a while back. This is the basic prnciple for your niche, but you only need half of it with curved rafters.
When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
you did good, leroy :o)
every court needs a jester
Do you have the front arch yet? the one the casing would attach too.
You need that one first, after you have your plates cut out. Try to see if that plate would work for the front arch.
After you have that front arch half of that becomes your king common. Think rafters. That king common goes in the middle of your front arch to the middle of your plywood top plate.
Then the rest of you arches/rafters get cut subtracting half the thickness of your common, and so on.
Yes you are looking for arches and not elipses.
When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
Thank you, I think I got it. Will let you know if I get around to finishing it today.
The bad news is you've done exactly the right things to be exactly where you are today.
"IdahoDon 1/31/07"
Don't forget to take pictures. When people don't know what you're about, They put you down and shut you out.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/print/0,17071,214315,00.html
Fypon makes one that might be just a little bit smaller than you speak of.
You can build one yourself pretty easily using casings. apron and sill same as in rest of the house, Build a box and add the casing face and slip it into a hole
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Piffin,
If it were square it would be very easy. Nothing in this house is square, and there is to be no casings or trims on the niche.
Homeowners and their quirky ideas!
jeremyThe bad news is you've done exactly the right things to be exactly where you are today.
"IdahoDon 1/31/07"
best..... did i miss it ? what is the finish ?
plaster ?
View Image
first , i'd try to buy one like the Fypon
but failing that, i'd build it just like a boat, a round -bowed boat
the front would be your gunnels, no stem , just ribs.. each rib would be identical,, and i'd probably cut them out of 3/4 ply
assemble, use an expanded mesh for a plaster base, if it's small enough , i'd guess your trowel would be a large ( LARGE ) cooks spoon
a pool trowel is not going to fit
the shelf could be 3/4 MDO ( one side)
apply the decorative trim to the front
Mike,
Yes it is plaster.
The boat idea sounds doable, but I have never tried building a boat either.
I ended up finding my segments by turnign things into two small groin vaults, this worked for me. took quite awhile, but got it done.
I would of originally built it in the wall but we were going to buy one, just couldn't get the size the owner wanted.
thanks to all for theri help.
If I had a camera I would take pics.
The bad news is you've done exactly the right things to be exactly where you are today.
"IdahoDon 1/31/07"
I'm not sure if I am missing something but I would have been inclined to cut the full shape as best as I could into my framing. Then take 1/4 or 3/8 drywall, soak it down with water and press into place. (best done laying on a bench. Once dry, screw and set the whole works into the wall. Plaster, then sand till it is perfect. For a more dramatic effect, pull the trim and pilasters in toward the centre. Hide rope lighting behind it.
Dave
1/4" dw will not bend that tight, even when soacked with water.The bad news is you've done exactly the right things to be exactly where you are today.
"IdahoDon 1/31/07"
It will if you cut into smaller sections. Basicly, piece it together. Do a base coat of sheetrock 90 then finish with plaster. You'll get a nicer finish than with reg drywall compound.
Dave