woodworking plans?

[gnal41]

I’m looking for entertainment center, bookshelf and end table plans or examples for a family room. I have found a couple sites on the web that offer plans but the better half has vetoed those designs. I am sure there are others and I will keep looking.

Once you fellows decide on a woodworking need, how do you go about defining the project? Do you use plans, pictures from catalogs or stores or ??

I also have to not “over-reach” on the projects as my skills are average-at-best on a good day.

[Eric]

I usually look at pictures of the type of project, then figure out the dimensions that will work in my space. Then use Sketchup to draw out the project and figure out the joinery that I want to use.

It's also good for then figuring out the material needed and cut lists.

[Relative]

I usually get my orders from a magazine picture that gets pointed out to me. Of course, it also comes with slight 'modifications'. Naturally, no plans exist for these and you just have to work it out.

Mike

[SHADOWFOX]

You can always check out the local library and check out some books or woodworking magazines.

[cabinetman]

Making rough sketches with pencil and paper is what I do. Ideas can come from the space available, and the need or function of the piece. The room, and furnishings can help with ideas.

The designers and architects I work with bring ideas and plans and many times along with a magazine or catalog picture they used as an idea. Not that a copy was made, but used for getting ideas.

.

[Mr__Bill]

Most of the woodworking magazine sites have plans. Often the picture is enough to build something but for a few dollars you can get measured plans with cut lists and instructions. A quick Google search for 'free woodworking plans' will bring a lot of sites.
Here are a few

http://www.freeww.com/
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/w...asics_map.html
http://www.woodstore.net/
http://woodgears.ca/
http://www.binkyswoodworking.com/
http://www.free-woodworking-stuff.com/
http://www.finewoodworking.com//blog/free-plans
http://www.jeffgreefwoodworking.com/

hope this helps

Bill

[billwmeyer]

Another good site for free plans is:

http://www.freewoodworkingplan.com/

They also have a site with plans you can purchase.

What I usually do is take an idea and rough it out on paper, then I take an engineering pad (graph paper) and draw it out to scale. As others mentioned, there is usually a picture involved with modifications for SWMBO!

What I would recommend is try something simple by this method, and you can see how it works. If you can get into Sketch up that is the way to go. I have not found the time and patience to learn it yet.

Good luck.

Bill