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BenjamenMeyer/README.rst

Created January 14, 2017 21:18
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FreeCAD - modeling a 2"x4"x8' board with pockets for interlock
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README.rst

I am working on a building a physical workbench with storage. The bench will be 8 ft long, 4 ft high, 4 ft deep - these are relatively easy dimensions in the US since stock lumber comes in a few sizes - the most popular is 2"x4"x8', so I just have to cut some boards in half.

Now, I've already drawn by hand - on paper - my ideas. But I'd like to try my hand at making them in a CAD tool and see if I can get a more accurate design creation. My prime choice is FreeCAD - AutoCAD is too expensive for my hobbyist needs and I love open source, and FreeCAD seems to be among the best there is from the FOSS world....that's not to say it is the best but it's what my (albeit limited) research shows is a good choice.

I figured out how to model the basic lumber I need - for example, the common 2"x4"x8'. However, my design also calls for versions of these that have interlocks - so I can take two boards and have them intersect, providing strength and structure and going through the same 3D space; these I am having a far more difficult time figuring out. Since I'm new to FreeCAD I'm probably doing something wrong:

  1. Create a Sketch
  2. Add a rectangle set on the X-Y plane
  3. Set one dimension to 50.8 mm (25.4 mm/inch * 2 inches) calling it the width
  4. Set the other dimension to 8ft (25.4 mm/inch * 96 inches) calling it the length
  5. Save the sketch.
  6. Select the sketch, and click "Pad a selected sketch"
  7. Set the Length to 101.6 mm (25.4 mm/inch * 4 inches)
  8. Save the pad
  9. Select the Face of the sketch, then click "Add Sketch"
  10. Repeat the earlier steps, but making a 2" cube.
  11. Click on the select the first sketch, then select the second sketch, then click on "Create a pocket with the selected sketch"

At this point, no matter how I create the second sketch, I always get the following error:

"Please create a sketch or 2D object first. It must have a support face on a solid."

The second sketch is embedded in the first sketch visually, and shares a plane (face) on one side, but I can't seem to get FreeCAD to recognize that.

So....what am I doing wrong?

@BenjamenMeyer
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uip5OTKMpdM&t=1076s is a great video on the topic for a good solution!

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