Whew! I was getting worried, thought I missed something important.
but I never use plans anyway, so there’s that.
This thread could grow into a discussion about the use of plans. I don't use plans for all of my projects but I have found they very useful when building a large project for the first time or for new woodworkers to study as they plan on how they will pull it together.
A strong case for plans has to do with proportions. I don't use computer programs like others here as I don't have a means of printing out plans the size of what I am trying to scale out. I don't get a feel for the proportions looking at a small illustration like the one on the opening of the thread.
So what do I do and why do I feel it is necessary?
I use a simple drafting table made up of a truly square piece of MDF and a good square. I build the piece on paper to scale and edit to proportions I can see and get comfortable using.
When I decided to make a couple of these 2 piece cabinets or "Linen Press" units, I wanted to surprise one of the folks with hidden drawers since they were so excited about something else I built with hidden drawers. This was a design change of significant importance.
Look at this lower case and the face frame work around the sides that joins the front and side with a filler strip and lamb's tongues on the top and bottom. This allowed me to do 2 things: I could use the small chunk of crotch walnut to make all of the face pieces and get the hidden drawers in the sides. I was concerned about matching the top and bottom and the only way I was going to do it was to draw the entire piece out on paper.
I think developing a sense of proportion when working on furniture is a critical skill that is overlooked more often than not. To me its what makes one piece dazzling and another awkward.
We can have a fun debate over the ease of using computer programs and the merits of this path(its a good one) but my point is seeing the actual size of the final product. This is how I encourage developing woodworkers to practice. It is a tough sell to young folks who are short on ...
the design carried from the top section to the bottom drawers was done on paper in life size proportion to confirm the fit.
the piece below was a starting point that I felt was "out of proportion" but the customer insisted on having it built as is. It hurt a little during the build but the kids needed new shoes.
I do like plans and I am convinced that they can help develop that vocabulary of details in the back of your head.