Figure 14-21.--Drawing a regular hexagon when the distance across flats is given.
If you are given the distance between opposite
DRAWING A REGULAR HEXAGON
comers of a hexagon, called the distance across comers
Bolt heads and nuts are hexagonal forms (six sided)
or the long diameter, use the method shown in figure
and are common figures in mechanical drawings. You
14-22.
can draw a regular hexagon if you are given the distance
1. Draw a circle with the long diameter as the circle
between opposite sides of a hexagon. The opposite
diameter (view A).
sides are the short distance or distance across the flats.
2. Using the same radius as you used to draw the
To draw the hexagon, use the following steps. Refer to
circle, draw arcs with the ends of the diameter
figure 14-21 as you read this section.
as centers (view B).
1. Draw a horizontal line and a vertical line. Draw
3. Draw lines from the points where the arcs
each as long as a given distance. They intersect
intersect the circle to those where the diameter
at right angles to each other (view A).
touches the circle (view C).
intersection as the center for the point of the
DRAWING A REGULAR OCTAGON (AN
dividers, draw a circle as shown in view B.
EIGHT-SIDED FIGURE)
3. Using the 30- to 60-degree triangle resting on a
As you read this section, refer to figure 14-23. If
T-square or straightedge base, draw lines
you are given the distance between opposite sides of an
tangent to the circle in the order shown in view
octagon, you can use the following method to draw a
C.
regular octagon.
1. Use the given distance as the side dimension in
drawing a square (view A).
2. Draw the diagonals of the square.
3. Adjust the dividers to a radius equal to one-half
the length of a diagonal.
Figure 14-23.--Drawing a regular octagon when the distance
Figure 14-22.--Drawing a regular hexagon when the distance
between sides is given.
across corners is given.
14-14