Followup Poll to How Good Are You?

[MilDoc]

OK, so 50 of you answered "I start with a piece of paper..."

So, just how long did it take to get to that point?

[RodKirby]

Paul,

I venture to suggest: Anyone who doesn't start with a "plan" shouldn't be constructing anything

[MilDoc]

OK Rod. Guess I phrased it badly. I still need a plan to follow, 'tho I may attempt to change it (not always successfully).

So, let me re-phrase the question: Do you need a plan at all, or do you just draw your own, and how long did it take to get to that point?

[cwsmith]

Oops, I missed the "rephrase" of the questions... so a complete rewrite of my post.

So, I still started with "Woodshop in High School". My shop teacher wouldn't let us work on individual projects and he used what he termed "projects should be products". So we built manufactured desks in the first semester and built a small house in the second.

Now, that's where the plans come into effect, because the first phase of the projects was to have a plan, and not just for the product, but for it's layout and each step of its tooling and final assembly. My drafting class did the design and the blueprints.

My Dad wasn't all that sophisticated, but he always had a pocket pad and pencil and whether it was plumbing or carpentry, he'd sketch it all out, dimension it, etc.

So, I started with that kind of great foundation and went from there. Having it down on paper is essential for me. Over the years I've added my own experience, and if remodeling, the measurements are taken down on paper with a sketch and it migrates to the computer. For stand-alone projects it starts on the computer. I don't do a sophisticated 3-D anything, I use Corel Draw because it is simular to working on the drawing board. But I can "fit" parts together to whatever degree of pricision I need and that goes a long way to makeing sure everything fits. It also gives me a visual concept of what lies before me and my experience tells me what needs to be changed for the sake of stability, stress, fit, assembly challenges, etc. For structural projects I keep a few referance books that are essential to the safety and longevity of the project. Similarly, I also take the time to read whatever I can find and/or post any questons in order to take advantage of the experienced experts that are so generous in their answers.

CWS

[Warren]

Paul, I got it now.

I was smart enough to know I didn't need a plan when I started woodworking. I'm even smarter now. It took me all of maybe two projects to smarten up. Now I always have some sort of plan. If the project is simple a sketch will do. The more sophisticated the project, the more detailed the plan. I usually draw my own, but I have purchased plans as I'm not good at proportions when doing animals and such.

Most of my output is simple stuff, so simple plans. Even after 15 or 20 of one item I still refer to the plans/sketch. The older I get the more I refer to the plans as I go along.

[LCHIEN]

I often use a plan for inspiration. And or a source for critical dimensions in which I think the author spent some time and prototypes in finding the ideal size. But most often I make my own plans.

The last time I followed a plan verbatim it was bad. I made the router stand in a recent issue of Wood magazine and the wedge for the router base was too narrow by about 3/8" and the router did not position itself well on the provided base. I had to fix the completed item. And I made it perfectly to plan dimensions because I believed they had "perfected " the design.

[jabe]

30+ years ago when I 1st started woodworking, I would not have a plan but, after numerous mistakes I started to sketch/draw my projects on paper b4 fabrication. It took me 2 projects to realize this now I approach all my projects/jobs with a plan.
To the guy who said if he cut a board 1/8" short, he would just make everything smaller, if you can live with that thats fine too. For myself that would be unacceptable, just my opinion. A craftsperson takes pride in their work and this attitude should be the goal all of us wood workers can attain. I don't mean to imply that I'm the greatest as I'm not. I just try hard and I am willing to learn new or old things to continue to improve my skills. That is why I view this forum to learn.

[mater]

Everything I have ever built I sketched my own plans. I either look at a picture or object and get in my mind what I want and then sketch it on paper. I may be the only one who knows what it is but it works for me.

[Tequila]

I read a lot of plans and books on construction when I was young. My school didn't have a shop class, but I was in high school when I started to make things based off of my own plans. I don't think I've ever used a premade plan, at least not without some heavy modification.

[Otter]

Plans?

Are you sure that this is not a form for Boiler Techs? Darn, I forget things…….

On a lighter note, just call me a Russian (please forgive the Hunt for Red October reference), "I don’t take a dump without a plan."

[Russianwolf]

I am the "less than 1 yar but I am a professional ______"

best answer I could give. I'm not a pro, but an amatuer artist of about 30 years. I love drawing, so it comes naturally that I look at something and figure a way to make it work.

[DUD]

I took shop in school, 1960, and My Father went to the shop Teacher after I built a bookcase and ruined 2 sheets of birch plywood. It was horrible.
My Dad was a cabinetmaker, and a carpenter, and He always used some type of plan. I helped Him after school and Saturdays, and He taught me a lot.

After He died, I puttered around with woodworking, got better, made some interesting stuff. After My accident in 1995, I went back to carving some. It wasn't until I found the gang here that I started working and getting better, both health and woodworking wise. I am a better person for having something to do with My hands and heart. That said, I alway use some kind of plan, I'm not a perfectionist, just want things to turn out right. Bill

[scorrpio]

You always need a plan. However, as far as I can recall, I always designed my own plans. If someone asked me to make something and provided a detailed plan - that's fine.

[Wood_workur]

I find plans I like, and get the dimentions, and porportions, then I design my project from there, or I base it off an exhisting piece of furniture.

[drumpriest]

I'm in the make my own plans camp. I very rarely do anything without building it on paper (or more likely in the computer) first. I'm a pro-graphics programmer, and I'm well versed in the 3D computer modelling arts. (though I'm not a modeller or artist)