Figuring Cuts?

[Rob Hermann]

I am terrible at figuring a cutting schedule for my projects. Is there a computer program any of you could recommend that I can enter the size of my stock and the desired sizes after cutting that will lay it out the most efficiently? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Rob Wright]

Here is a free one that I use. It works for me and is very compact.

http://delphiforfun.org/Programs/cutlist.htm

[Jim Becker]

For sheet goods, I use CutList Plus. For solid stock, I work it out manually as I choose stock carefully for grain match and direction for project components. That often means that the first rip cut may not be parallel to the board's existing edge. While I have a sliding saw that makes this easy, it's pretty simple to use a sled or even a thin piece of hardboard as a carrier with the stock temporarily fastened with carpet tape or 23 gage pins so you can run something straight along the fence while holding the board in question at whatever skew angle is necessary to get that first edge. I lay out components "rough" and oversized on a board using chalk.

[Lee Schierer]

Try Sheet Layout 8 at Sheetlayout.com. They have a free version that is fully functional. It is easy to use and works on both sheet goods and lineal stock. If your needs are greater than the free version, number of parts, then they have various levels of the program with more capability for number of parts and sheets of material.

[Byron Trantham]

+1 for CutListPlus

[Rob Hermann]

Thank you all. I really appreciate the help. I loaded up the cutlist program so I'll see if I can figure out how to do it now. Thanks again.

[Brett Nelson]

I actually use eCabinets because it allows for so much more than just a cut layout.