I'm trying to assist my sister with crafting a frustum, which is basically a cone with flat ends. We've got a 24" x 36" sheet of plexiglass, and we need to create one with a large diameter of 11.25", a small diameter of 6.75", and a total height of 14.625". I attempted to work out the dimensions manually, but it's proving to be too complex for me. Using a cone calculator helped with the measurements but I'm struggling to figure out how to best layout the cuts on the plexiglass. After four hours of work, I'm at a loss and feeling pretty frustrated. Is it even feasible to make this with the materials I have?
4 Answers
To start, makes sure to convert all measurements from inches to millimeters using the cone calculator. It will give you precise angles and arc lengths for your cuts. Essentially, you'll use a fixed string anchor to draw your arcs on the plexiglass, which will help you mark the correct outlines for cutting.
Using paper to create a template might make this process easier for you. I found this video that walks through the steps you'll need to follow. Just use your measurements to sketch out the cone properly, and it should help a lot!
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll definitely check out that video.
That calculator site is pretty handy! For drawing large circles, try checking out this guide I found on Instructables. It offers some great tips on how to draw one using string—might really help with your layout.
I appreciate the link! I'll look into that.
It sounds like you might be mixing up some measurements. The height of your frustum isn't necessarily the same as the distance from the top to the bottom rims—that's actually a bit longer, called the slant height. It could help to look into lampshade templates or skirt patterns for guidance!
That makes sense! I was thinking the height was directly between the rims. I might have to double-check my calculations.
Wow, that's super detailed! I’ll give it a try and see if I can get everything marked properly. Thanks a ton!