I'm thinking about building a unique 'Caffeine' shelf that combines a hexagon and a pentagon together. I know there are plenty of tutorials for hexagon shelves that show the sizing and angles, but I'm unsure how to attach a pentagon shape to it. What angles and sizes should I use to make this connection work?
2 Answers
One fun way to explore this is to grab some cardboard boxes and cut them into strips to make models of both shapes. This way, you can adjust the side lengths until you find what looks good to you. Just remember, if the pentagon points up, it will create a flat shelf, while pointing down will just let you store things inside. If you're looking to position them side by side, your design will change a bit since that won't give you a flat surface for shelves. I suggest making all sides the same length, with the pentagon on top, and reinforcing the corners with 'box' joints for extra strength. For the attachments, using dowels or metal brackets would be great for stability, especially for areas that need to carry weight.
You'll want to keep in mind the angles: hexagons have 120-degree angles at the corners, while pentagons have 108 degrees. For the best results, try to match the length of the sides of the pentagon with those of the hexagon since they will share a side.