Arch build begins

Materials list
Large T Square
Jigsaw
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Compressor (optional for brad gun)
Brad gun, could be electric, can use brads and hammer
White Glue
Measuring Tape
Wood file
1/2 Plywood
1x2 boards
bar clamps
hammer snips gloves
safety glasses

I searched the web for different ideas of how to convert the entrances in my home into arches and wanted an inexpensive process that would be a more simple and unique solution than what I was found online. I used an app called Graphic for IPad to create my arches blueprint. https://graphic.com/ipad-pro/. This is a relatively inexpensive app I have really been enjoying. It’s pretty amazing what you can do with this app. I like to use it to create basic designs of the projects I have in mind. They have a whole slew of tutorials you can check out. https://graphic.com/tutorials/index.php?format=ipad
I used the app to draw the dimensions of each opening and then used circles to create the arch. The app enabled me to enlarge or shrink the circles to fit each opening. I was careful not to drop the arch down to far into the path of folks using the entrances. I didn’t want anyone hurting themselves running into them.

I bought my 1x2s at a local hardware store and salvaged some leftover Plywood from a former project. I’ve found that I can often find materials via Craigslist, our local Freecycle site, or a new app called Nextdoor. I’m a big fan of Nextdoor, https://nextdoor.com/. It’s a neighborhood social app without the ads and data mining of FB. It’s like a local bullion board. I’ve put out a request for materials and explanation of the project and had folks donate stuff from their garage with just the request that I post so they can follow along on the outcome. Very fun!
​I cut the framework from the 1x2s first. I used white glue and brads to secure the 1x2s together. I checked to make sure they fit in each entrance in the house before proceeding on to making the plywood arches that fit inside.

Next, I used my square to be sure my plywood was square. I marked the measurements of half of the interior of my frame. I then drew out one side of the arch and used that as a stencil for the other side to get a nice match. To get a smooth arch, you can use the string trick https://m.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Perfect-Circle-Using-a-Pin,

Once I had the plywood cut out. I used white glue on the frame and edges of the plywood, centered the plywood in the frames and attached them with brads.