Why won't things line up?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I don't understand how come I keep getting jacked up angles when I attach the last side of a simple wooden box frame. I am not handy! Please teach me what I am doing wrong!

I cut some 1x4s to 48.5 inches exactly and measured them afterward to verify

I cut some 1x4s to 51.5 inches exactly and measure them afterward to verify

I then cut some 2x2s to exactly 3 feet.

I laid two of the 2x2s down on the foor in the y direction

I laid two of the smaller 1x4s, both being the same length, down on top of them in the x direction. one at far z and one at near z.

I thusly, made one side of my box frame. I repeated for the opposite side of my box frame.

I then stood those up side by side and pondered how I can connect two more 1x4s to create a 3rd side. I leaned them against a couple trash cans so that they would stand up on their own. I put a couple bricks at their base to keep them in alignment. I then inched them bit by bit with my foot until the sides of the two longer 1x4s lined up with the outside of the 2x2 + 1x4 edge that I was connecting it to.

Thusly, I created another side.

When I went to do the previous step with the last side, it was obvious to me that things were not lined up. I don't understand how this is possible when all my wood was cut at the correct measurements.

I don't understand how I always end up like this. I really want to build basic things like a box frame that I can chicken wire, to keep rabbits out of my raised garden. I guess I missed learning basics in my childhood or something. Help!

See how my final side appears to be off, like the whole thing is twisted or something.

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Comments (5)

party_music50
7 years ago
If your measurements were accurate, and you assembled as described/shown, things should line up. Re-check to make sure you didn't use a 51+" board where you meant to use a 48+" board, etc.
johnc777
7 years ago
The fundamental problem is that you are using construction grade lumber that is rarely, if ever, true. No matter how carefully you may pick it, there is almost always slight cups, bows, wanes, etc. Those slight imperfections add up when it comes time for assembly, especially over longer distances, and the pieces don't align. Unfortunately it's the nature of the beast. Either be less fussy or mill the stock so that everything is straight and true.
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User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
In addition to the above, your assembly floor isn’t level either. Garages are sloped slightly. If you rely on it as a level, and don’t shim a surface true, it’s going to make things subtly off even if you get everything lined up correctly.
AnnKH
7 years ago
So, will it bother you a lot if it is slightly out of square? I used scrap lumber leftover from other projects to build ladders to serve as tomato cages (I like indeterminate tomatoes; they can get 5' tall). My ladders are not square, straight, or pleasing to look at - but they were cheap, they fold up for winter storage, and the tomatoes don't care one bit.

You'll be covering this frame with chicken wire - which is not the easiest thing to work with. Unless you are very meticulous, the chicken wire will not be perfectly straight and square, so any misalignment in the frame will be masked. Do you plan to left the whole frame off the bed to weed and harvest? How will the frame be attached to the bed?

I am really fussy about things I build in the house, but outside I am more willing to accept "ugly but effective".
User
6 years ago
If you closely compare the two joints - the lower joint is assembled differently from the near top... I tried to explain the 3/4" error twice above, but was ignored.

I deleted those and will delete this post tomorrow. Lol