Poll - What do you do when you build something?

[clowman]

Just wondering what everyone does when they decide to build something significant...

 

[yellofins]

Clay,
You need to add an all of the above.
At times I've used all of the methods.....on the same project!

Ron

 

[Terry]

I like to make a pencil drawing (not to size) to start to get a general idea that this is really what I want. Then make a drawing using the measurements I will be using and make a copy of the project. I usually make it out of pine or popular as the proto type. If this is what I like then I recheck my measurements and start the project. If the porject requires a certain finish I will test a sample finish on a piece of scrap wood I am using on the project. Right now I am making a Fire Department Plaque that I designed years ago using some figures from some bronze plaques. It consisted of a Fire firghter on each end of the State of North Carolina as the background with the Fire Department Patch of that Department between them. I have also done it with the Fire Department Malteese Cross in the middle. All parts are in 3D and very time consuming. I have made several that have been presented at Fort Bragg over the years. My biggest problen is if it doesn't look right I will throw out a peice and start over till I get it right. Can be expensive. PS I am a NUT! Terry:XXcompute

 

[lwhughes149]

I go looking at pictures of pieces of furniture when I am trying to come up with something new to make.

 

[Travis Porter]

I'm a hybrid. The LOML and I will decide I am going to build something be it a dresser, bed, cabinet, etc, and then we go picture hunting. If I can find a plan we like, I will buy it, but I have not had a lot of luck with plans. Too many times either the joinery is not as good as it should be, or more likely I suck at that type of joinery.

If we don't find a plan, then I will do drawings laying out how I will make it from the picture. For dimensions, I try to stay pretty standard and rob them from other plans/books/magazines that I have. One that I use a lot for dimensions is Thomas Moser's measured shop drawings for american furniture. Historically, I would get out pencil and paper and do rough drawings, but I would end up forgetting or missing something. Now I pull up sketchup and do it all. One thing I have noticed with me doing sketchup is that I at times make the joinery more complex than I need to..

 

[DaveO]

Clay, I would have to go for almost all of the above. I mostly draw up my own plans with inspiration from pictures I find on the Web, but they aren't very precise, then I go out to the shop and start sawing and make things fit within the basic parameters of my "sketch" plan, then I screw up and come on-line to y'all to ask for advice on how to fix my error :lol: :lol:

Dave

 

[jeff...]

Quick question what do you consider something significant? Just so I can get a perspective on where your coming from.

Thanks

 

[Monty]

No simple answer for me... I usually go to the web and look for ideas/inspiration, then think about it for a few months.... then buy some wood.... sketch up some plans... realize I don't have enough wood.... buy more wood... start cutting.... (oops)... buy MORE wood.... etc.

 

[clowman]

Quick question what do you consider something significant?

Not a jig(not that they are not significant). Anything that will take you more than a couple of days to complete.

 

[gator]

I'm with Ron, I sorta use all of the methods together. In the beginning I look at pictures (web and magazines and catalogs) and make some preliminary sketches. After I get the primary dimensions, I try to make a cutting list of sorts and then start cutting and fitting as I go. I have used plans but it seems that I always modify as I go so the plans basically end up serving the same purpose as my preliminary sketches.

George

 

[michaelgarner]

I use Google Sketch-up to draw a full plan. That gives me a detailed list of what I need. From there I make a cut list of the wood needed and decide what joinery, style, finish, etc. It has helped me out a lot doing it this way as well. And of course I mill the wood for the entire project at the same time. That way it doesn't feel that I am milling every piece as needed. One thing that I do as well, is figure the 20% for waste. With a detailed plan I don't waste that much but the left over milled stock helps when I make a mistake and I have stock that is milled to the right specifications. Hope I helped.

 

[NZAPP1]

I am with the rest of the group. You need to add all of the above. I go to the web, stores or books look for design ideas. Then sketch up something and jump right in and design, size and change as I go.

 

[skeeter]

"All of the above!" I like to start with a picture, if possible, then sketch out changes I may want to make. After getting the style, then I will work on the measurements, jointery, and how much lumber and what finish.

 

[cpowell]

I look for a picture from the web, print it out and establish an approximate scale for reference, then draw up the plans by hand.

I have built a few pieces with plans but have migrated to generating my own plans. I don't do a lot of detailed sketches at first. I break the project down into steps. When I begin a step, I write down notes, generate detailed sketches (ie, mortise details), and also include "warning" statements (sneak up on final thickness, etc).

I have made fewer mistakes working from my plans...no, I didn't say ZERO mistakes! :lol: :lol:

Chuck

 

[rhett]

I think it is a mixture of all suggestions. Really depends on your own style. I usually start cutting and then draw out anything "tricky" full scale on a sheet of 1/4 inch. I try to make sure all piece/sizes are porportional with one another based off the golden mean.

 

[sapwood]

Well, first of all I stay away from complicated projects :eusa_shhh

Like most, I look at magazines, web, etc., for ideas. But generally I look at the wood I have and try to figure out what to do with it. :eusa_thin Occasionally I will make very crude sketchs or use Illustrator or Freehand to create a template for curves, etc.

Guess that explains a lot, huh
Roger

 

[jerrye]

I generally "default" to DAYG (design as you go) but on anything significant I will at least sketch out a rough plan. One of the most important lessons learned from a former customer is to prototype anything complex, in inexpensive and easy to work materials first and at 100% scale whenever possible. Has worked for me.

 

[erasmussen]

I look at pictures until I have a good idea of how I want it to look when finished.
Then draw it up in my head, then start cutting8-O

 

[striker]

Usually I start and the bottom of the list - start cuttin, then shift to the top - drawing, and then finish up by researching on the web....Why reinvent the wheel -somebody has probably done it already. I'm talking about all on the same project of course!

Seriously, I like to attempt period pieces so I'm always on the hunt for good, detailed plans. There is plenty of plans out there but a majority lack the detail to actually build from them.

 

[McRabbet]

I do the first two but not the last two in your poll, but it depends on the project. For commission projects where I get a request from a client, we sit down for a "scoping session" and I do a concept drawing in CAD. After they review and we solidify the design concept and scope, I do a detailed drawing (or drawings, a material take-off, a cost estimate and I draft a cost/contract agreement. On thing I may build for myself, like a Toy Box I'm doing for my grandson for Christmas or a CMS work station for my shop, I'll investigate plans and finished projects from many sources including magazines and our site photo galleries. Once I've found the style I want, then I design it in CAD and proceed with material take-off and cost estimate.

Rob